Leslie Emmons Burthey is the senior vice president of marketing at TeePublic, where she manages the marketing functions, including brand and creative, growth, and CRM. She is also a Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) member! In this member spotlight, we asked Leslie a series of questions about both her professional role and personal life, including the woman that inspires her, her leadership style, her advice for the next generation of female leaders, and much more.

  1. What is a tip you have for productively leading a WFH or hybrid team?
    Intentionally schedule and protect time for non-meeting work, like responding to emails, Slack messages, or simply taking a lunch break. Early in my experience leading remote teams, my days were often packed with back-to-back meetings, leaving little room to address tasks as they arose or catch up on key communications. I learned that creating these intentional blocks of time not only boosts my own productivity but also sets an example for the team to prioritize balance and focus. By modeling thoughtful time management, I foster a culture where everyone feels empowered to be both responsive and productive, without burnout.
  2. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    By hiring smart, capable individuals and empowering them to excel. I prioritize building genuine trust by clearly defining expectations, targets, roles and responsibilities. When the team knows I trust them to deliver and have the autonomy to execute their ideas, they feel both motivated and confident. This approach has consistently led to amazing results, as team members are inspired to take ownership of their work and contribute their best efforts.
  3. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry over the next year?
    I’m excited to see how artificial intelligence continues to shape and transform the industry. From streamlining workflows to amplifying creativity and reducing production costs, the potential for innovation is immense. I’m particularly eager to see how forward-thinking retailers will harness AI to evolve their businesses, better meet customer needs, and exceed expectations. It’s an exciting time to witness the intersection of technology and creativity driving meaningful progress.
  4. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a potential candidate?
    A combination of curiosity, confidence and authenticity. Curiosity signals a willingness to learn and adapt, which is essential in a world where industries and systems are constantly evolving. Confidence, paired with a solid foundation of industry knowledge, shows me that the candidate is prepared to contribute meaningfully. Finally, I value someone who is genuine — this quality is particularly important in today’s world, where authenticity fosters trust and collaboration. When a candidate demonstrates these traits, I’m immediately engaged.
  5. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Trust and collaboration are the values I hold most dear. Trust is foundational — it allows each team member to focus on their role, knowing others are doing the same. When trust is lacking, or when teams operate in silos, inefficiencies and miscommunication arise. Collaboration ensures we can connect the dots, synthesize insights, and align toward shared goals. Regardless of team, function or level within the organization, we’re all in our own swim lanes, but we’re swimming toward the same destination. When trust and collaboration thrive, the entire organization moves forward together.
  6. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Think long term and fearlessly pursue what you love, even if it takes time to find the right path. Be authentic — success comes when you’re true to yourself, not conforming to external expectations. Balancing a career and family has taught me the importance of being intentional with my time. I focus on work that fulfills me and create undisturbed moments for my kids on evenings and weekends. While balance isn’t always perfect, prioritizing what matters most makes it achievable.
  7. What do you like most about being a member of Women in Retail Leadership Circle?
    The mentorship, sense of community, and opportunities to share experiences and learn from others. The authenticity and collaboration in the forums and at the conference are truly inspiring — connections are made, ideas flourish, and deals take shape.

Interested in connecting with women like Leslie? Apply today to become a Women in Retail Leadership Circle member!