Fulenwider is stepping down after seven years at the helm of the Hearst publication.

Aya Kanai at the 2019 Fragrance Foundation Awards. Photo: Sean Zanni/Getty Images

After seven years at the helm of the U.S. edition of Marie Claire, former editor-in-chief Anne Fulenwider is stepping down — and Aya Kanai is stepping up to fill her shoes.

Fulenwider earned numerous nominations and awards during her time at Marie Claire, including Editor of the Year by FOLIO in 2015. She was also responsible for launching "Power Trip," an event geared at businesswomen that perhaps foreshadowed her next step: According to a press release from Hearst, Fulenwider is quitting media to start a venture of her own focused on women's health.

"I've loved every minute of my time at Marie Claire and I'm so proud of all we have accomplished," Fulenwider said in a statement. "It's been fantastic supporting women from the outside in, and now, I'm looking forward to supporting them from the inside out. I've had an amazing 25 years in media business and I’m very excited for all that this next chapter will bring."

Kanai, her successor, joined Marie Claire's parent company Hearst in 2013. She's been serving as the media giant's chief fashion director since 2016. In that role, she oversaw the fashion content for Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day, in addition to helping with special projects for the digital arms of Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, and more.

Kanai got her start at Teen Vogue before becoming fashion director of Nylon. She returned to Teen Vogue as the senior fashion editor before becoming an independent stylist and consultant, and eventually became the style director for Shopbop. She also appeared as a judge on Lifetime's "Project Runway Junior."

"Aya is a superstar editor, strategist and stylist and an incredibly positive and enthusiastic person," said Hearst Magazines President Troy Young. "She's been an editorial leader at Hearst Magazines for over six years, and she has a wonderful eye, both for content and for talent. As with everything she does, Aya’s taking on this new role with energy and excitement and will inspire everyone around her."

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