Not many founders have the courage to pull back. That’s exactly what Tory Burch did in 2019 when she stepped down as the CEO of her namesake label. She since devoted herself to design, sparking a brand renaissance that has pushed revenue into the billions. Last year, her foundation pledged to add another billion dollars to the economy by 2030 through its support of women entrepreneurs.
What do you want to see more of in your industry? Less of?
More individuality, less sameness.
What’s one work of art that got you through an important moment in your life?
“Ithaka,” a poem by Constantine P. Cavafy. I reread it all the time. And “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman. It reminds you that we all contain multitudes.
What do you think is your biggest contribution to culture?
Helping prove that business can be a vehicle for positive change. From the beginning, I wanted to build a global company that could also support women entrepreneurs. Seventeen years later, our foundation has helped provide real access, resources, and opportunity. Supporting women is not charity; it’s smart economics.
What are you looking forward to this year?
The midterms.
What question do you ask yourself most often while you’re making work?
How does something make you feel? And inevitably, What’s for lunch?
What would you be doing if you weren’t working in your field?
I would be a spy.
What is your biggest vice?
Late nights on LiveAuctioneers. Pottery, ceramics, and porcelain are a complete addiction, from Dodie Thayer to Lucie Rie.
What’s something people get wrong about you?
That I am more reserved than I am; I’m actually quite direct and focused.
Name an influence of yours that might surprise people.
My father’s impeccable style.
What keeps you up at night?
The news, my empathy, and everything else in between.
When you were little, what were you known for?
Practical jokes and being a killer on the tennis court.
Where do you feel most at home?
With my family, ideally near an ocean.
What grounds you, and what invigorates you?
Nature grounds me. Ideas invigorate me.
To read more from the 2026 CULT100 honorees, see the full list here.
in your life?
