I had the chance to hear from some remarkable women at the 47th Annual Outstanding Mother Awards, held in New York City on May 8. The event is held annually by the National Mother’s Day Committee, an entity of the Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that donates funds to family-related charities. To date, the National Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council has donated more than $37 million to family-related charities nationwide. Proceeds from this year’s luncheon benefitted No Kid Hungry, a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. This year, the awards luncheon raised a record $1.2 million to benefit No Kid Hungry’s programs.

The 2025 ceremony honored the following women for their inspiring dedication to their families, careers and communities:

  • Beth Ford, President and CEO, Land O’Lakes
  • Jill Schurtz, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer, Minnesota State Board of Investment
  • Lizanne Kindler, Executive Chair and CEO, KnitWell Group
  • Kecia Steelman, President and CEO, Ulta Beauty
  • Lori Singer, President, Parlux Ltd.

All honorees were recognized for balancing successful careers with the demands of motherhood. This year’s honorees shared insights on what being a mom means to them, as well as how they’ve been able to achieves success as women, business leaders, and mothers. The event celebrated the multifaceted journeys of women balancing leadership, family and community.

In her remarks, Kindler reflected on her path from a blue-collar suburb in Copenhagen to the C-suite of a 45,000-person company. Her childhood role models — her mother, grandmother, and aunts — instilled a spirit of perseverance and ambition. Still, she initially thought she had to choose between a career and motherhood. It was her husband, Thomas, who changed her mind. “He convinced me I could have both,” she said, adding that her children, Alexandra and Nikolai, became her compass — and her pride.

Kindler emphasized the importance of knowing your worth, making conscious choices, and defining success on your own terms. “Own your story,” she urged the audience. “Tell your story.” She also broke down her guiding principles: never compromise your goals, understand your strengths (and weaknesses), and make the most of your time, especially with family.

Singer discussed her son, Dylan, who is severely autistic and nonverbal, including the difficulties and relentless advocacy it took to help him thrive. She explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, her family discovered Dylan’s love for swimming. Through sheer perseverance — including convincing a hotel to allow access to its pool and ultimately finding a home with one — Dylan became healthier and happier. As president of a leading beauty company, Singer credited her success not to doing it alone, but to having a circle of support — from family and friends to a long-time nanny and workplace allies.

“We say it takes a village,” Singer said. “I say it takes an Olympic-sized swimming pool.”

Steelman opened her remarks with a deep breath and humility. “There’s no more important job in the world than being a parent,” she said, as she reflected on a life spent balancing demanding executive roles with being the emotional and moral compass for five children in a blended family. Having had two children at a young age, Steelman spoke passionately about how they became her “why” — her motivation for everything.

“They were made for me, and I was made for them,” said Steelman. Later in life, she married Gray and embraced his three daughters as her own. The fullness of their blended family, now including two sons-in-law and grandchildren, is her greatest pride, Steelman said. The award also allowed Steelman to direct charitable giving to No Kid Hungry, a cause that aligns closely with her lifelong values of service and giving back.

“This award goes well beyond career achievements,” Steelman said. “It’s one of the most meaningful recognitions of my life.”