BROOKE'S NEW ACT

After decades of serving as the face of other people's brands, Brooke Shields is embracing a new role: entrepreneur.

- MAGGIE MCGRATH

I’ve sold stuff for other people my entire life. I never thought I’d be a CEO.”

But at 59, Brooke Shields is suddenly both a founder and a chief executive. In June, the longtime actor and model launched Commence, a New York–based hair care company for women over 40 that she dreamed up during the pandemic. It’s still early days—Shields raised $3.5 million from outside investors to help fund Commence’s first three products, which were released in June. But it’s already, she says, the most “challenging and exciting” stage of her career.

AVA DUVERNAY 51

DIRECTOR, WRITER, PRODUCER

Oscar-nominated director DuVernay didn’t pick up a camera until she was 32. She has since become the first Black woman to direct a $100 million–grossing film (2018’s A Wrinkle in Time) and, to make 2023’s Origin, she developed a moviemaking model that taps into philanthropists such as Melinda French Gates. “There are stories all around us, and they just ignite my imagination all the time,” she says.

New chapters are the name of the game on our fourth annual 50 Over 50 list, which highlights 200 women making professional waves—whether starting a company, reshaping philanthropy or making fresh scientific discoveries—after age 50. The list, which we produce in partnership with MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski and her Know Your Value initiative, is divided into four categories with 50 women each: Investment, Impact, Innovation and Lifestyle. The class of 2024 can be seen in its entirety at forbes. com/50over50.

MIRIAM RIVERA 60

COFOUNDER, CEO, ULU VENTURES