At pivotal moments in her career, Mary Beth Laughton proposed new roles tailored to her aspirations and the company’s needs. “I can remember three different points at different companies where I proposed roles that didn’t exist,” the now-CEO and president of REI recalled during an exclusive interview at the 2025 Women in Retail On the Road: Seattle event last fall.
While at Nike, Laughton transitioned from strategic roles to operational ones by identifying opportunities. “Would you consider letting me play a more explicit role leading digital for the subsidiary brands?” she asked her leadership, highlighting how aligning personal goals with company objectives can create new pathways. Laughton’s readiness to take risks, such as moving to Amsterdam for a significant management role while pregnant, underscores her belief that trusting oneself enables growth.
Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can view Laughton’s full session here as well as recordings from all previous Women in Retail: On the Road events here.