Hello Inner Circle readers!

Recently, the release of Forbes’ Most Innovative Leaders list was overshadowed by a disappointing discovery: out of 100 honorees, only one woman was included (Ross Stores’ CEO Barbara Rentler). What was thought to be an objective ranking “measuring four essential leadership qualities of top founders and CEOs” ended up majorly lacking in diversity and revealing a massive gender imbalance. There was immediate backlash on Twitter, with Forbes’ readers and leading women alike demanding answers. Moira Forbes penned a passionate response in which she expressed her disappointment in the list and emphasized her commitment to achieving opportunity for all at Forbes. She ended her blog with the resounding pledge, “Forbes can do better and we will.”

One positive to come from this fiasco is Forbes’ immediate apology and acknowledgement of the list’s flawed methodology. The editor of Forbes magazine, Randall Lane, reflected on what he called a “missed opportunity,” writing in a blog post, “women, as we all know, are poorly represented at the top of the largest corporations (just 5 percent of the S&P 500), and fare even worse among growing public tech companies. In other words, for all our carefully calibrated methodology, women never had much of a chance here.” This is a staunch example of the challenges that women continue to face in earning C-suite, executive and boardroom positions, and affirms our work at Women in Retail Leadership Circle to provide career coaching, professional development, leadership advice, and more to you, the hard-working members and readers of WIRLC, so you can advance to the top.

There are so many incredible female leaders that were overlooked by the 2019 Most Innovative Leaders list. Here at WIRLC, we’ve compiled a list each year for the past eight years recognizing the Top Women in Retail. Honorees for that list are chosen based on several criteria, including position within a retail organization, scope of responsibility within that position, career achievements, and involvement within the retail industry. The 2019 list includes 16 powerhouse women, including Mary Campbell, chief merchandising officer of Qurate Retail Group and chief commerce officer of QVC; Sharon Leite, CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe; and Suzanne Miglucci, president and CEO of Charles & Colvard, among others. Look no further for a list of the most innovative women retail leaders today.

Join Us in New York City!

Speaking of gathering leading women in retail together, we’re headed to the Big Apple for our Women in Retail Leadership Circle: On the Road | New York event on Oct. 24! Similar to the well-received Women in Retail Leadership Summit, these invitation-only events enable executive women in leadership positions at key retailers and brands the chance to network, learn from each other, and improve business processes.

Our one-day event will have informative presentations and panels, and will feature engaging networking sessions, private executive coaching opportunities, and fun activations. Take advantage of these opportunities to share your knowledge with new contacts, discuss industry issues, and find inspiration on how to conquer challenges in both your personal and professional lives.

Some of our INCREDIBLE speakers for the On the Road | New York event include:

  • Rebecca Minkoff, Owner and Designer, Rebecca Minkoff
  • Emily Culp, CEO, Cover FX Skincare
  • Allie Egan, President and CEO, Cynthia Rowley
  • Traci Inglis, President, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Customer Officer, Retailwinds
  • Christina Carbonell, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Primary
  • AND so many more to come!

You can register for WIRLC On the Road | New York here. The price to attend is $295 for retailers and brands. Catch our early-bird rate using the code “ROADTRIP” when registering to save $100. We hope to see you there!

Kristina Stidham
Associate Content Editor
Women in Retail Leadership Circle