Jade Carter
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The Shiftmakers Gala celebrates the resilience and trailblazing spirit of women leaders across entertainment, sports, and advocacy.Cambridge TodayThe 2026 Shiftmakers Gala, hosted by The Shift platform, brought together influential women from media, business, fashion, sports, and entertainment for an evening of awards following a full day of programming focused on amplifying women’s voices and driving cultural change. The event featured powerful speeches from honorees Lola Tung, Eileen Gu, and Olivia Munn, who shared personal stories of resilience, vulnerability, and the courage to push boundaries.
Why it matters
The Shiftmakers Gala is an important annual event that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of women leaders who are driving progress and innovation across a variety of industries. By highlighting the stories and perspectives of these trailblazers, the event aims to inspire the next generation of women to pursue their passions and make a meaningful impact.
The details
The day-long event kicked off with grant announcements supporting emerging women founders, setting the tone for a series of conversations exploring themes like cultivating community and the future of women’s health. One of the most discussed sessions featured actress Olivia Munn discussing her recent health journey and advocacy work. During the gala ceremony, Munn accepted The Strength Award and reflected on how becoming a mother, navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, and supporting her own mother through the same illness reshaped her understanding of caregiving. Other honorees included The Summer I Turned Pretty star Lola Tung, who received the Emerging Voice Award, and Olympic champion Eileen Gu, who was presented with the Trailblazer Award.
- The 2026 Shiftmakers Gala took place on March 27, 2026.
- The event was held at the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The players
The Shift
A platform dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and driving cultural change.
Lola Tung
An actress known for her role in the hit series The Summer I Turned Pretty, who received the Emerging Voice Award at the Shiftmakers Gala.
Eileen Gu
An Olympic champion and freestyle skier who was honored with the Trailblazer Award at the event.
Olivia Munn
An actress and advocate who accepted The Strength Award at the Shiftmakers Gala, reflecting on her recent health journey and experiences as a mother and caregiver.
Lauren Chan
The host of the Shiftmakers Gala evening programming.
What they’re saying
“I became a mother, a cancer patient, and then a daughter to a cancer patient, and that shift was the hardest.”
— Olivia Munn, Actress and Advocate
“For me, courage means daring to try. Even if I don’t land this trick, it’s meaningful because I dared to try… if there’s just one little girl watching, she’ll never doubt her place.”
— Eileen Gu, Olympic Champion and Freestyle Skier
“I was like, wow, there must be someone more qualified. I felt really stressed about what I was going to say.”
— Lola Tung, Actress
What’s next
The Shiftmakers Gala is an annual event, so the next edition is expected to take place in March 2027 at the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The takeaway
The Shiftmakers Gala celebrates the power of women’s voices and leadership, highlighting trailblazers across industries who are driving meaningful change. The event’s focus on amplifying diverse perspectives and honoring personal journeys of resilience and courage serves as an inspiration for the next generation of women leaders.
