The Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) crew hit the Windy City on Tuesday for the first of our fall On the Road events and wow, what a ride it was! Taking place at the gorgeous Palmhouse in Evanston, our Chicago stop brought together an incredible group of senior-level retail leaders for an afternoon full of inspiration, connection and empowerment.

Molly McCabe, senior vice president of people success at Ulta Beauty, opened the event by reminding us that real transformation begins with empathy and intention. Shelley Brown’s powerful session, Breaking the Hard Rules: Redefining Strength in Women’s Leadership, had everyone reflecting (and laughing!) as she shared lessons from her dynamic career. And our panel sessions featured industry thought leaders such as Sarah Casalan (UPS Store), Roz Johnson (Build-A-Bear Workshop) and Janice Tennant (Merrell), who spoke candidly about navigating growth, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.

And, of course, we closed the day with a lively cocktail reception and plenty of new connections made — the kind that remind us why we do what we do.

Next up, we’re taking our momentum to Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 16 at the stunning Vue Columbus venue. If Chicago was any indication, you won’t want to miss the Columbus event.

Our lineup is stacked with powerhouse speakers who will fuel your growth and challenge your thinking, including:

  • Claudia Cividino, president of Jared Jewelers and Diamonds Direct, Signet Jewelers

  • Regan Walsh, executive coach and author

  • Elaina Carpino, COO of Change Enthusiasm Global, who will lead an interactive session on overcoming top retail challenges.

At our Columbus event, get ready for more networking, more inspiration and, yes, more amazing swag; register now! Our On the Road tour, which also includes stops in New York (Oct. 28), Los Angeles (Nov. 4), and Seattle (Nov. 6), is bringing together trailblazing women who are shaping the future of retail, one city at a time. We hope you can join us!