In the dynamic world of retail, artificial intelligence isn’t just a trend; it’s reshaping leadership, decision-making, and team dynamics. At the Women in Retail On the Road: New York City event this past fall, Michelle Peluso, CEO and board member at Revlon Group Holdings, shared her insights into the rapid change brought about by AI.
In this clip, Peluso emphasizes the importance of data integrity, privacy, and governance in leveraging AI successfully. Without these fundamentals, “you won’t get the outcomes you need from AI,” she notes. She also encourages leaders to actively scale AI experiments to avoid what she calls “pilot purgatory.”
AI’s impact also necessitates a cultural evolution within organizations. Peluso suggests executives shift from hierarchical decision-making to empowering teams with clarity and vision. Embracing a “learn it all, not a know it all” mentality is crucial, she advises, urging leaders to prioritize continuous learning and growth mentality when assessing talent.
The clip concludes with Peluso stating that this new AI-driven era “requires collaboration in a fundamentally different way” across traditional silos. Cross-functional teamwork is key to responding to consumer demands efficiently.
“All of us are in the early innings, so the good news is none of us are late to the party,” Peluso reassured the audience.
Peluso was joined on the panel by Kecia Caffie, president, Zales, Signet Jewelers; Mary Ellen Coyne, CEO and president, J.Jill; Adrienne Lazarus, former president, Madewell; and moderator Jill Katz, founder, Assemble.
Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can view the full panel discussion here as well as session recordings from all previous On the Road events here.