New York Brought the Energy! LA and Seattle, You’re Up!
The Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) crew hit the Big Apple on Tuesday for our On the Road event and wow, what a ride it was! Held at City Winery NYC, the event brought the energy. An incredible group of senior-level retail leaders joined us for a day full of inspiration, connection and empowerment.
Julie Wainwright, founder of The RealReal, opened up the event by sharing the lessons she’s learned from leading a disruptive business — from navigating growth and change to staying relentlessly focused on the customer. She also offered her perspective on the future of retail; the role of artificial intelligence and technology in enhancing customer experiences; and why experiential, in-store moments remain essential in a digital-first world. Another highlight was provided by Melissa Gonzalez, principal at MG2 and author of “The Purpose Pivot,” who, through interactive reflection exercises, taught attendees how to “make space” in their lives for joy, purpose, growth and presence.
The event’s panel sessions featured thought leaders such as Deirdre Quinn, CEO and co-founder, Lafayette 148 New York; Sabeen Mian, president, Lash Division, Performance Beauty Group; Kecia Caffie, president, Zales, Signet Jewelers; Mary Ellen Coyne, CEO and president, J.Jill; Michelle Peluso, CEO and board member, Revlon Group Holdings; among others.
We closed the day with a lively cocktail reception and plenty of new connections — the kind that remind us why we do what we do.
Next up, we continue our On the Road tour with stops in Los Angeles (Nov. 4) and Seattle (Nov. 6). Our Los Angeles speaker roster includes:
- Mary van Praag, CEO and Board Member, Milani Cosmetics
- Meera Bhatia, Brand President and COO, Fabletics
- LaNiece Douglas, President, North America, Yonex Corporation
- Angela Clark, Vice President, Digital, Patagonia
- Mimi Swain, Chief Commercial Officer, Ring and Blink, Amazon.com
And our Seattle speaker roster includes:
- Mary Beth Laughton, president and CEO, REI
- Alison Francis, Chief Diversity Officer, Costco
- Kate Ridley, Chief Brand Officer, Stanley 1913
- Erin Wendte, Executive Vice President, North American Consumer Teams, Zumiez
- Tanvi Patel, Vice President and General Manager, Amazon Pharmacy, Amazon.com
Expect more networking, more inspiration and, yes, more amazing swag as our On the Road tour continues to bring together trailblazing women shaping the future of retail, one city at a time. Will you be in Los Angeles on Nov. 4 or Seattle on Nov. 6? We hope you’ll join us and spend the day investing in yourself while connecting with our community. Limited seats remain, so grab a ticket today!
