Asian Americans represent 13 percent of the professional workforce in the U.S., yet less than half (6 percent) reach the executive level, according to KPMG. And a 2022 McKinsey & Co. study of 400 organizations in the U.S. showed that Asian Americans account for nine percent of senior vice presidents but just 5 percent of promotions from senior vice president to the C-suite. Asian American women make up less than 1 percent of these promotions.

The retail industry is filled with inspiring, hard-working women who identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander. In honor of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, we’re highlighting eight women whose careers we at Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) have followed from afar and admired.

1. Maly Bernstein, CEO, Bluemercury
As Bluemercury’s first external CEO, Bernstein aspires to put purpose, people, product and performance into everything she does. Since joining in 2021, she has led the company’s omnichannel strategy and growth in luxury beauty, including the development of proprietary brands, relationships with brand partners, store expansion plan, and enhancements to the digital platform.

2. Linh Calhoun, Chief Marketing Officer, Replacements.com
As chief marketing officer, Calhoun is responsible for evolving the customer experience through creating meaningful connections that build engagement and loyalty, as well as leading strategic change at the world’s largest retailer of vintage and current tableware, silver, estate jewelry and watches.

3. Ivy Chin, Senior Vice President, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Sherwin-Williams
Chin joined Sherwin-Williams in 2020 to accelerate digital transformation. She also serves on the board of REI.

4. Jane Lu, Founder and CEO, Showpo
Showpo is one of Australia’s fastest-growing fashion e-commerce retailers, and it started off in Lu’s parents’ garage in 2010.

5. Wanda Ma, Senior Vice President, Technology, Sephora
In her current role, Ma provides leadership for technology strategy, delivery, operations, and support for all core enterprise business applications. She also oversees technology shared services, infrastructure, and security operations and lead 6 direct reports, 140 FTEs, and up to 200 contractors.

6. Jenny Ming, CEO, Rothy’s
Ming has over 30 years of experience in retail, including as the former CEO of Charlotte Russe. Ming has served on the boards of Rothy’s, Poshmark, Levi Strauss & Co., Affirm, Kendra Scott, and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan & Hospitals.

7. Sahra Nguyen, Founder, Nguyen Coffee Supply
Nguyen is a first-generation Vietnamese American and a quintessential millennial of the “Slash Generation”. Her multifaceted creative career includes being the award-winning documentary filmmaker behind NBC News’ “Deported”, a former restaurant owner and a 2018 Google Next Gen Leader. Nguyen is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees who fled their country by boat after the Vietnam War and eventually settled in Boston where she was born and raised.

8. Fiona Tan, Chief Technology Officer, Wayfair
Tan oversees a global innovation team responsible for creating market-leading experiences through its world-class e-commerce platform.

9. Winne Park, CEO, Forever 21
Park immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea with her family as a toddler. And her background is one of the things that attracted her to Forever 21, since the company was founded by Korean American immigrants. Park is also the former chief executive of Paper Source, and prior to joining Paper Source, she held titles of executive vice president, global marketing and e-commerce and global vice president and general merchandising manager during her 9-year tenure at Hong Kong based luxury shopping leader, DSF, a division of LVMH.

Do you know a daring, inspirational woman who identifies as Asian American or Pacific Islander making waves in the world of retail? Let us know! We would love to tell her story and share her ideas.