Laysha Ward spent a remarkable 33 years at Target Corp., most recently serving as its executive vice president and chief external engagement officer. But even as one of the nation’s leading female C-suite executives, she faced biases and challenges at work. In this video clip from the 2025 Women in Retail Leadership Summit, Ward recounts her experience wearing braids to the office for the first time — and facing a negative reaction she wasn’t expecting.

“Somebody came into my office and said … ‘Surely you’re going to take [the braids] out before the Board meeting,” recalled Ward. Her response? “No, I’m not.”

Ward is the author of “Lead Like You Mean It: Lessons on Integrity and Purpose From the C-Suite.” At the Summit she spoke on leading with meaning and a growth mindset with Emmy Award-winning television journalist and coach Jane Hanson.

Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can watch Ward and Hanson’s full fireside chat here and all sessions from the 2025 Women in Retail Leadership Summit here.