This year marks the launch of Women in Affiliate. A new initiative designed to spotlight the women shaping the affiliate and partnerships industry.

Alongside our main Top Women in Affiliate list, which celebrates established leaders and long-standing industry contributors, we also wanted to recognise the women earlier in their journeys. The Rising Stars list exists to shine a light on those just starting out, but already making an impact.

For a brand-new initiative, the response was exceptional. We received hundreds of nominations from across brands, publishers, agencies, platforms, and networks. Again and again, nominations highlighted women who may be early in their careers, but are already trusted by colleagues, relied upon by partners, and driving results.

The judges’ view

Our judges were aligned on why recognising women at this stage matters. As Cristy Garcia reflected, “Recognising women while they’re still building is powerful. These are people shaping the future of affiliate in real time.” Even in its first year, narrowing this list down to just ten Rising Stars proved to be a genuine challenge.

What follows is the inaugural Women in Affiliate Rising Stars list for 2026, in no particular order. Ten women at the start of their careers, already making their mark, and setting the tone for what comes next.

Charlee Eales, 
Affiliate Account Manager, Assembly Global

“Honestly, the most powerful thing I’ve done in my career hasn’t been tied to strategy, numbers, or any kind of structured plan. It’s been communication and relationship-building,” says Charlee.

For Charlee, influence came from talking to people, learning from them, laughing with them, and showing up as her full, authentic self. “That’s opened more doors for me than anything else ever could.”

Leaning into what makes you different

Growing up, Charlee was often told to quieten down or take up less space. In her career, that advice flipped on its head. “The thing I was once told to shrink is exactly what’s allowed me to grow,” she explains.

By embracing her energy and openness, she’s built relationships with publishers, networks, clients, and industry leaders who saw potential in her before she fully saw it in herself.

“I don’t just build relationships for work. I build genuine friendships,” Charlee says. Some of the people she met through affiliate are now among her closest friends. “They come to my birthday parties, go on holidays with me, and root for me in ways I never expected.”

Those connections, she says, go far beyond campaigns and KPIs. “They’ve shaped who I am and helped me find my place in an industry I truly love.”

Turning authenticity into impact

At Assembly Global, Charlee’s relationship-led approach delivers real results, from driving year-on-year growth for major travel clients to supporting innovation across brands like Virgin Atlantic and LVMH Beauty. 

“If there’s one smart thing I’ve done,” she says, “it’s leaning into who I am and trusting that showing up authentically would resonate. And it has.”

 

Sandra Hadaie
Senior Partnerships Manager, HyperJar

“Being recognised as a rising star at this point in my career feels incredibly affirming,” says Sandra Hadaie. “I’ve only been in the affiliate space for a relatively short time, so to have my work acknowledged means a lot.”

For Sandra, the recognition is proof that leaning into innovation matters. “Championing something new like card-linked offers, asking questions, and pushing boundaries really does make a difference,” she explains. “You don’t have to wait years to make an impact if you bring curiosity, energy, and purpose.”

Data-driven decisions

Working on the publisher side at HyperJar has shaped Sandra’s approach. “Being so close to the data and mechanics behind CLO gave me a much deeper understanding of how it really performs,” she says.

From transaction-level insights to incrementality and attribution, that depth has become her foundation. “It’s allowed me to share practical, real-world insight with brands and networks. Not just what CLO is, but why it works and when it makes sense.”

As a woman navigating a technical space, Sandra credits clarity and expertise for building trust. “When you can confidently explain complex data and translate it into commercial outcomes, trust follows. And that trust builds influence.”

Driving record-breaking results 

At HyperJar, Sandra has delivered standout performance, including a record-breaking CLO campaign achieving 55x ROAS and unlocking major repeat partnerships. She has also helped expand the platform into new verticals and supported the development of innovative models such as locked cashback.

She is equally passionate about collaboration. “I’ve been lucky to learn from brilliant women who trusted me to lead and challenge the status quo,” she reflects. “That trust gave me confidence and led to stronger partnerships and better results.”

For Sandra, the future is clear. “Women need to be trusted to lead, make decisions, and take risks,” she says. “That’s how confidence and real leadership grow.”

 

 

Jasmine Ovall
Marketing Manager, RevWise

From the outset, Jasmine has been focused on shifting affiliate away from being viewed as purely technical or transactional. “I wanted it to feel more dynamic, creative, and culturally relevant,” she explains. Seeing that unapologetically authentic approach recognised early in her career has been both validating and motivating.

Building the RevWise brand

Over the past two years, Jasmine has been central to transforming RevWise into one of the most visible and culturally recognised agencies in affiliate marketing. She led a full brand refresh and digital strategy, evolving RevWise from behind-the-scenes B2B work into a bold, industry-shaping presence.

From building an in-house content engine and newsletter to producing award-winning case studies and thought leadership, her work has made RevWise synonymous with creativity, authenticity, and culture. Under her leadership, the agency now supports more than 80 brands across Europe and manages over £100m in affiliate revenue.

Influence through authenticity

For Jasmine, influence comes from clarity of vision. “The key is taking an authentic approach to your personal goals and translating them into action without listening to external noise,” she says.

She believes standing out requires bold storytelling and a focus on people over process. “By showcasing the energy, emotion, and human side of affiliates, you create a fresh tone for the industry,” she explains.

Jasmine is especially inspired by women who lead genuinely. “Being trusted early gives you confidence to take bigger swings,” she reflects. “We need to back potential before it’s ‘perfect’.”

 

Danielle Gurney
Partnerships Lead, Saint and Sofia

After spending more than two years growing the affiliate channel at Frasers Group, Danielle took on a very different challenge: joining Saint + Sofia, a young, independently owned London fashion brand, and building its affiliate programme from scratch.

40% growth year-on-year

Since launching the programme, Danielle has helped deliver standout commercial results. Under her leadership, Saint + Sofia has achieved over 40% year-on-year revenue growth and a 62% increase in traffic. She has expanded publisher partnerships, introduced new tracking and collaboration models, and worked closely with PR and creator teams to ensure brand awareness and performance grow alongside revenue.

“What’s mattered most is being willing to put yourself out there,” she explains. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Sometimes you think it sounds silly, but we all have to start somewhere. And always be yourself.”

Her ability to combine performance, partnerships, and brand storytelling has played a key role in positioning Saint + Sofia as a fast-growing, highly visible independent label.

Danielle draws inspiration from the wider affiliate community. “There’s so much amazing work being led by women,” she reflects. “I’m genuinely excited to see what 2026 brings.”

 

Alia Swinnerton-Kean
Tracking Manager, TopCashback

Just months into her position, Alia faced one of the biggest regulatory shifts in TopCashback’s history, following the ICO’s announcement around tracking and consent. Rather than hesitate, she stepped forward to lead the operational rollout, working across more than 500 affected advertisers and helping bring over 60% on board. The result was a measurable uplift in conversion and a significant improvement in customer experience.

She has continued to push herself outside her comfort zone. “From leading big projects and educating brands, to speaking at Affilifest and presenting KPIs at board level, I’ve learned to back myself,” she reflects. “To have that behind-the-scenes work recognised means a lot.”

Transforming tracking at TopCashback

For Alia, influence has come from showing up early and consistently. “Putting myself forward, attending events, and building genuine relationships has been invaluable,” she says.

Much of her work centres on complex tracking and consent challenges, requiring clarity and confidence. By combining a data-led approach with a customer-first mindset, she has built strong, open relationships with networks and brands, helping resolve issues faster and more effectively.

Internally, she has transformed how tracking is managed at TopCashback, redesigning systems, improving monitoring, and empowering customer service teams to handle issues independently.

Powered by mentorship and community

Alia credits much of her growth to the women around her. “Sam Mills gave me such a strong foundation,” she says. “And seeing what Hannah has built through Affilifest showed me what passionate leadership can do.”

Looking ahead, Alia is optimistic. “Effort, curiosity, and trust really matter in this industry,” she says. “If we keep investing in people and open conversation, women won’t just enter affiliate, they’ll thrive and lead.”

 

Alice Franklin
Affiliate & Brand Partnerships Manager, Gymshark

Since taking on responsibility for Gymshark’s affiliate function, Alice has quickly established herself as both a strategic lead and a trusted partner across the business. “I’m loving being the one to steer the strategy that’s driving results,” she explains. “It’s been a real learning curve moment for me.”

Building a true partnership channel

One of Alice’s defining strengths is her ability to turn affiliate into a true partnership channel. After recognising that Gymshark’s existing network no longer fit the brand’s ambitions, she led the transition to a new platform, reshaping the programme around deeper, more collaborative relationships.

Drawing on her previous experience at The Works, where the channel leaned more heavily towards influencers, Alice has built a hybrid approach at Gymshark. She works closely with the influencer team to ensure creator partnerships continue to grow, while strengthening long-term affiliate relationships that deliver sustainable performance.

Raising the profile of affiliate internally

For Alice, influence starts inside the business. “Making connections across teams and educating people on what affiliates actually do is so important,” she says.

She recently introduced monthly channel updates to the wider company, helping spark new conversations, collaborations, and internal advocacy. The result has been increased visibility for both the affiliate channel and the team behind it.

Alice credits much of her recent growth to strong support around her. “Kaylee White has been amazing,” she says. “Her curiosity and confidence have helped me find my voice and shout about the great work we’re doing.”

“I’m delighted to have been recognised,” says Alice Franklin. “It’s come at such an exciting time for me, stepping into a manager role at a brand I’m genuinely passionate about.”

Hope Regan Houston
Partnerships Lead, easyfundraising

“Honestly, I am over the moon,” says Hope. “Over the last seven years, I’ve worked my way up from a campaign assistant at Awin to now leading partnerships at easyfundraising. To have that journey recognised feels incredibly special.”

For Hope, the recognition reflects years of steady progression, curiosity, and commitment to building meaningful partnerships.

“Being shortlisted alongside other rising stars is such an honour,” she adds. “I’m grateful for the chance to celebrate both the progress I’ve made and the impact I’ve been able to deliver.”

Opening the channel to smaller brands

Over the past two years, Hope has reshaped how easyfundraising works with SMEs and purpose-led brands. She launched and scaled the “Hidden Gems” and “Spotlight Collection” initiatives, unlocking premium placements at accessible price points and enabling smaller retailers to compete alongside major brands.

Despite leading a team of just three, Hope introduced a tiered service model with clear SLAs, allowing her team to manage a large partner portfolio efficiently while driving incremental growth beyond big-brand performance alone.

Her campaigns consistently deliver standout results, from a 115% uplift in new customers for Who Gives A Crap to a 20% increase in basket value for TUI. She also led the recovery strategy for a retailer impacted by a cyber-attack, delivering over 80% year-on-year uplift and restoring partner confidence.

“Networking is essential,” Hope says. “I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone to introduce myself, ask questions, and challenge perspectives, even when it felt uncomfortable.” She credits those conversations as some of the most valuable learning moments in her career.

Lifting others as she grows

Hope is deeply committed to developing people alongside performance. She mentors colleagues at different career stages, and actively champions female talent.

Inspired by leaders including Julia Stent, Olivia Skinner, and Joelle Mullin, Hope now pays that support forward. “Creating space for honest conversations and shared learning is incredibly powerful,” she reflects.

Eniko Beres-Deak,
Senior Affiliate Executive, Boohoo

“In my experience, building influence early on the brand side comes down to being consistent, reliable, and supportive of affiliates,” says Eniko Beres-Deak. “Focusing on strong partnerships and showing impact through results has been the most effective way for me.”

At boohoo, Eniko is known for her proactive approach to partner management and her commitment to strengthening the brand’s global affiliate programmes. She leads campaigns with key publishers including Zilch, Quidco, and Stylink, while also managing multiple international markets independently.

Growing programmes across borders

Eniko has played a central role in building new publisher networks across France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and beyond, often managing these markets solo. By actively reaching out to partners and nurturing relationships from the ground up, she has helped expand boohoo’s footprint and performance across Europe.

A strong advocate for transparency, Eniko places particular emphasis on accurate reporting and clear insight into traffic sources. Her focus on authenticity ensures spend is used efficiently and that genuine partners are rewarded fairly, strengthening long-term trust across the ecosystem.

Strong female role models

Looking back, Eniko credits much of her development to early mentorship. “Lauren Conder supported me the most when I was starting out,” she reflects. “She took the time to train me in areas I didn’t feel confident in and helped me grow through challenges.”

She is also inspired by colleagues outside of affiliate. “Kate Jameson brings strategic clarity and creative instinct to everything she does,” Eniko adds. “She encourages people to think more expansively while staying grounded in purpose.”

Esha Sharma
CEO, Adsynergix Tech

“The most effective way I’ve seen is to build influence through clarity and consistency,” says Esha Sharma. “Become known for a point of view, back it with data, and deliver outcomes repeatedly.”

From early on, Esha focused on being prepared, reliable, and solutions-led. “Owning your expertise, documenting wins, and advocating for your ideas with confidence helps you earn trust faster,” she explains. “That’s how you become a real growth partner, not just a service provider.”

At just 23, Esha is already leading one of the fastest-growing tech-first agencies in the affiliate space.

Scaling a future-focused agency

Over the past year, Esha has driven rapid expansion at AdSynergix, achieving more than 200% client growth, maintaining a 90% retention rate, and delivering over $200M in GMV in a single quarter.

Central to this success is her focus on innovation. She introduced Predictive Intelligence, an AI-powered model that anticipates user behaviour and optimises campaigns in real time. This technology has helped clients improve engagement, reduce acquisition costs, and operate with greater transparency and efficiency.

By blending advanced data capabilities with a client-first mindset, Esha has positioned AdSynergix as a trusted, future-ready partner across SaaS, technology, and performance-driven sectors.

Leading with generosity and purpose

Esha draws inspiration from women who lead with both competence and generosity. “The women who share playbooks, open doors, and speak honestly about building careers have shaped my confidence,” she reflects.

Looking ahead, Esha believes the industry must move beyond surface-level inclusion. “We need structured mentorship, clear growth paths, pay transparency, and more women owning revenue-driving roles,” she says.

“When women are trusted with P&L impact early, they don’t just enter the industry. They lead it.”

Lauren Tong
Affiliate Account Manager, 26PMX

“In my experience, the smartest way to build influence early is by building genuine relationships and consistently delivering value,” says Lauren Tong. “Understanding partners’ goals, communicating transparently, and following through builds trust quickly.”

For Lauren, confidence has come from competence. “Investing in my own knowledge and speaking with data-backed insight has helped me earn credibility,” she explains. “Even in rooms where experience might otherwise dominate.”

Driving full-funnel performance

At 26PMX, Lauren has built a reputation for combining meticulous organisation with commercial impact. She led the Bets Affiliate Programme for ScS, which won the Northern Digital Award in 2024, and has delivered consistent growth for brands including Mitchells & Butlers, Enterprise Car Club, and ScS.

A key strength of Lauren’s work is expanding affiliate beyond pure sales-driving activity. By activating the channel across the full funnel, from awareness to conversion, she has helped clients unlock new value and integrate affiliate more closely with wider partnership strategies.

Highly organised and relentlessly reliable, Lauren is known for her attention to detail and her ability to consistently over-deliver. 

She credits much of her development to strong leadership. “My former line manager’s support and knowledge had a huge impact on my confidence,” she reflects. “She showed me how to combine commercial focus with empathy.”

Championing confidence and progression

Looking ahead, Lauren believes confidence is central to progression. “Open conversations about performance and development make a huge difference,” she says. “Supportive managers and visible role models help women step into leadership.”

 

We'll be unveiling the rest of the Top Women in Affiliate 2026, including the Woman of the Year all this week.

A huge thank you to the panel of judges who helped make this year’s Top Women in Affiliate 2026 list happen. You can read more about the annual campaign and our amazing panel of judges here.