Kate Spade New York brought together changemakers, creators, and advocates for its fourth Annual Global Summit on Women’s Mental Health at The Times Center in Manhattan. This year’s summit focused on the mental health of Gen Z women, a generation redefining identity, community, and wellness while reinforcing the brand’s two-decade commitment to championing women’s empowerment and emotional well-being.
A Star-Studded and Impact-Driven Gathering
The summit featured a roster of inspiring speakers and cultural leaders, including Olympic gold medalists Tara Davis-Woodhall, Masai Russell, multi-hyphenate performer Alyson Stoner, TV personality Amaya “Papaya” Espinal, Tony-nominated Broadway actress Joy Woods, designer and activist Kenneth Cole, and financial educator Vivian Tu.
Additional voices included scientist and youth advocate Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble, Dr. Zeinab Hijazi (Global Mental Health Lead, UNICEF), media personality Carl Radke, humanitarian and filmmaker Jazz Thornton, and creative artist Marius Yo. Together, these figures amplified a shared mission: to destigmatize mental health and empower the next generation of women to thrive.
Throughout the event, guests were seen celebrating friendship, authenticity, and style, several carrying the brand’s seasonal “Duo Bag,” including Tara Davis-Woodhall in Lime Slice, Amaya Espinal in Cashew Milk, Joy Woods in Burnt Sage, Alyson Stoner in the Leopard Haircalf Crossbody, and Masai Russell in Classic Black.
“Good Mental Health Is Foundational to a Woman’s Power”
In opening remarks, Taryn Bird, Executive Director of Social Impact at Kate Spade New York, emphasized the company’s enduring core value of joy as intertwined with mental well-being:
“As a brand rooted in joy, Kate Spade New York recognizes that good mental health is foundational to a woman’s ability to access her authentic voice, choice, and power,” said Bird. “This year, as we bring together leaders, advocates, and young voices, we’re especially focused on Gen Z women a generation redefining community, resilience, and self-expression.”
She also highlighted the brand’s ongoing investment in global initiatives through its Global Fund for Women’s Mental Health, announcing that Kate Spade’s philanthropic arm has invested more than $35 million to date to expand access to mental health care.
Expanding the Global Fund for Women’s Mental Health
Established in 2024, the Global Fund for Women’s Mental Health is the first-of-its-kind corporate program designed to bring community-driven, culturally responsive mental health care to 250,000 women and girls by 2030. The non-profit partnership includes brands like Lululemon, Pinterest, and Adyen, which are collectively helping reshape mental health accessibility around the world.
This data-backed initiative, grounded in Kate Spade’s research with women’s communities worldwide, has been pivotal in positioning emotional well-being as not just a health priority but a pathway to empowerment.
Key Panels and Conversations
The summit’s agenda featured an immersive lineup of discussions framed around authenticity, connection, and resilience, pairing cultural icons with mental health leaders in powerful conversations:
- “The Duos: Stigma,” Kenneth Cole & Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble explored vulnerability as strength and the importance of language in breaking stigma.
- “Reconnecting to Authenticity” With Jazz Thornton, Joy Woods, Marius Yo, and Dr. Zeinab Hijazi, diving into self-expression as healing.
- “The Duos: Friendship” Gold medalists Tara Davis-Woodhall and Masai Russell discussed teamwork, sisterhood, and supporting women in sport.
- “Healing Overwhelm and Trauma,” Alyson Stoner, Lauren Carson (founder, Black Girls Smile), and Dr. Naomi Torres-Mackie unpacked self-recovery frameworks.
- “Moving for Mental Health” With Anne Wintroub (Lululemon) and Sarah Kline (United for Global Mental Health), exploring the role of physical wellness.
- “Prioritizing Wellbeing in a Digital World,” Ally Millar (Pinterest) and Kristine Gloria (Young Futures) tackled mental health amid digital saturation.
- “Rooted in Power: Financial Health” Vivian Tu, April Caldwell, and Dominique Simons (Adyen) on money mindset, ambition, and economic confidence.
- “Vulnerability, Glimmers and Amaya’isim,” Amaya Espinal offered a personal reflection bridging pop culture and self-discovery.
Each conversation illuminated the broader truth that mental health and empowerment are inseparable, particularly for the next generation of women building their futures in a world defined by interconnected challenges.
A Fashion-Forward Mission
The summit aligned with the unveiling of Kate Spade’s Fall 2025 Global Campaign, starring Ice Spice, Charli D’Amelio, Laufey, and Reign Judge. The campaign celebrates friendship and togetherness while spotlighting the brand’s iconic Duo Handbag and reimagined preppy revival aesthetic.
In true Kate Spade spirit, the collection pairs optimism and self-expression with purpose, reminding women that mental health and joy are part of the same conversation.
Continuing the Conversation
Kate Spade New York has been a pioneer in advocating for women’s mental health since 2014, long before it became a mainstream corporate focus. Through programming, global partnerships, and direct investments, the brand continues to use fashion as a conduit for dialogue and empowerment.
To learn more about Kate Spade New York’s ongoing initiatives, visit katespade.com/socialimpact and follow the conversation via #KateSpadeMentalHealthSummit.
