Los Angeles has become a hub for women redefining the face of business. From entrepreneurs launching startups in to executives leading venture capital firms, women are driving the city’s economic and cultural growth. The growing number of women visionaries reflects LA’s identity: Bold, diverse and unapologetically ambitious. Below are a list of just a few women finding success in Los Angeles.
Anne Miskey
The Downtown Women’s Center was founded in 1978 by outreach worker Jill Halverson, who felt compelled to act after developing a friendship with Rosa, a woman experiencing homelessness. It was the first organization in LA focused exclusively on serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness or formerly homeless women. Anne Miskey became the CEO of Downtown Women’s Center following a five-year tenure as Executive Director of Funders Together to End Homelessness. She is an outspoken leader of the role of philanthropy in ending major social issues and has spoken on several occasions at the White House on youth and veteran’s homelessness. She has worked with the departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Labor to support vulnerable communities across the country.
Miskey is also the executive director of Funders Together, served on the Board of Directors of Oakville Galleries, a contemporary art museum, and currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Siemer Institute for Family Stability.
Tracy D. Gray
Tracy Gray has been involved in venture capital and politics.
City of Los Angeles/Submitted
Tracy D. Gray is an American investor and a Forbes 50 over 50 recipient who serves under LA mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and Karen Bass. She is the founder and the managing partner of The 22 Fund, a growth venture capital firm seeking to increase the export capacity of Southern California manufacturing companies. The firm specifically targets and supports women- and minority-owned businesses. Prior to this, she was the senior advisor of international business and marketing for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and was an advisor to the Mayor’s Office of Small Business and managing director of marketing and communications in the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Business Policy. She is also the founder of We Are Enough and a lead partner in the Porfolia Green & Sustainability Fund.
Lindsay Rose Medoff and Tina Doswell
Every year, the United States generates millions of tons of textile waste, most of which ends up in landfills. In response, Lindsay Rose Medoff and Tina Doswell founded of SUAY, a Los Angeles based, 100% vertical sewing and production shop. SUAY products are created from a post-consumer waste, deadstock and domestically, organically grown fibers. It has diverted over 3.5 million pounds of textiles from landfills while supporting garment workers’ rights and policy reform for fair wages.
Miriam Yoo
Miram Yoo is the founder of Flask & Field, a “modern destination for natural wine, craft spirits, goods and gifts.” Yoo was inspired by her husband’s love of a good time, and was driven by her lifelong passion for wine, hospitality and design to create a neighborhood space for enjoyment. Flask & Field curates items from small producers and artisans across the world, hosting private events and tastings in its 1200 square foot space at ROW DTLA, as well as pop-up classes on a range of useful skills. She didn’t just create a wine shop — she made a community space.
“I wanted more independence and freedom in my life and went for it,” Yoo told the LA Downtown News last year. “I’ve always enjoyed wine, spirits and lifestyle goods. I’m a lover of cute, curated shops, and I knew that’s where my interests lie organically. I think everyone is naturally a creative person, so it was fun to see where my journey took me, and I’m sure other people who own their own shops or aspire to feel the same way.”
Kuniko Yagi
Kuniko Yagi owns fast-casual Japanese fried chicken concept restaurant Pikunico in ROW DTLA. It is known for its authentic Japanese ingredients and contemporary experience, which invites guests to try its original dishes like their golden chicken sandwich. The picnic-style food is encouraged to be taken to customers’ favorite parks or beaches.
“It’s important to eat under the sky — it’s nice to breathe the fresh air and enjoy the nice weather, and there are very few months we aren’t able to do that. I want people to enjoy their food in the weather that we’re so fortunate to have,” Yagi previously told the LA Downtown News.
Laurel Mintz
Laurel Mintz is the general partner of Fabric VC, a Los-Angeles based seed fund that invests in consumer tech, healthtech and fintech.
Fabric VC/Submitted
Laurel Mintz is the general partner of Fabric VC, a Los-Angeles based seed fund that invests in consumer tech, healthtech and fintech. She has a J.D/M.B.A from Rutgers University and 16 years of experience running an award-winning marketing agency. Mintz has worked with more than 400 companies in the CPG and technology spaces, from startups to blue-chip global brands like Facebook, Verizon Digital Media, Geico, PAW Patrol and Zendesk including multiple exits. This month, Mintz was named a 2025 Stella Awards winner as Champion Investor, recognized at the Women’s Venture Summit after speaking on the “Spreadsheets & Spidey Senses: How to Spot a Smart Investment” panel.
“This recognition means so much to me and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my team and board at Fabric VC,” she said in a statement. “When I set out to start a fund that supports diverse founders, I couldn’t have imagined getting to this moment. Thank you to the Stella Foundation for this amazing honor. I’m very grateful for this moment and excited to continue to change the paradigm in VC.”