Josie Natori

Natori began her career as an investment banker. She graduated from Manhattanville College in 1968 and went straight to work for Bache Securities. Her rise was swift. Within six months, she had opened and was running the company's office in Manila. She left Bache for Merrill Lynch, and by age 27, she was a vice president of investment banking. In 1977, Natori felt unchallenged in the world of banking and turned her attention to fashion. She landed a contract with Bloomingdales and her career took off. Natori's designs focus on lingerie and daywear. She is the founder and CEO of Natori Company. She won the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and served as a commissioner to the White House Conference on Small Business.