Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) recently released its 15th annual Top Women in Retail report. The valuable resource highlights female executives who impressed our Editorial team as well as colleagues from the industry. Linda Hubbard, president and CEO of Carhartt, is one such example. Here’s a sampling of Hubbard’s interview featured in the report.

Women in Retail Leadership Circle: Carhartt is a brand recognized for its product quality and commitment to outfitting blue-collar workers. How is that mission reflected across the organization?
Linda Hubbard: Carhartt was founded on the principle of solving the needs of hardworking people. Our founder, Hamilton Carhartt, recognized the need to develop durable, high-quality gear for the country’s railroad engineers. “Honest Value for an Honest Dollar” was one of Hamilton’s famous sayings, and we’ve never lost sight of his commitment. More than 135 years later, Hamilton’s promise is at the forefront of everything we do, and our mission remains the same — to build durable and rugged products to serve and protect all hardworking people.

Looking ahead, we continue to support the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Our “For the Love of Labor” grant program started in 2022 has awarded nearly 20 grants, totaling $1.8 million, to help organizations in apprenticeship industries break down barriers and help close the country’s skilled trades gap. With our resources, time and high-quality products, our brand remains committed to honoring and empowering the people doing the hard work every day.

WIRLC: As you seek to grow the brand, Carhartt has expanded into new categories, notably women’s apparel. Why was that strategic decision made?
LH: Serving all hardworking people is at the core of everything we do, and that includes creating the best gear possible for women. We’ve seen strong growth in our women’s category, with it becoming one of the fastest growing segments of our direct-to-consumer business. Our most recent women’s collections mark key innovation milestones, emphasizing that Carhartt is a brand built for her. Whether it’s worn on or off the jobsite, Carhartt will continue to explore new technologies that offer durable, high-quality gear with a comfortable fit for women of all shapes, sizes and lifestyles.

WIRLC: What tactics is Carhartt utilizing to build emotional connections both with its customers and its employees?
LH: We’ve built a real and authentic connection with our consumers and associates through our heritage and shared value of hard work. With a 135-year history, we’re able to tell our brand and product stories through the voices of people who have worn and loved Carhartt — bringing authenticity to our storytelling.

We regularly engage with consumers to learn what they need to be safe and successful on the job site so that we build products that align with those needs. Working alongside hardworking men and women keeps us grounded in our mission to serve and protect our customers.

One of the things we love most is hearing stories about Carhartt gear that’s passed down from generation to generation. Whether it’s our consumers or associates, there’s a strong emotional connection with our apparel. There’s always a memory or story that people share with us about their gear. We’re proud our brand can play a small part in helping hardworking people make their own histories.

WIRLC: As a woman CEO, what were the challenges you encountered during your career? What steps did you take to overcome such challenges?
LH: I grew up in a blue-collar family and am a first-generation college graduate. This experience has been valuable for my career at Carhartt and enabled me to better understand our consumer and their needs. Carhartt is a generational brand, with women playing an important role in its legacy. At our core, we provide tools for people to build a better life for themselves and their families. And women, whether they’re wearing Carhartt or another brand, are focused on building a better life for themselves and their families. That ethos resonates deeply with me and it’s what I’ve strived to do for our consumers, our employees and my family.

WIRLC: How would you describe your leadership style?
LH: All leaders have different styles. My approach is to lead from within the team with a natural inclination for service. I strive to be accountable and accessible, providing development opportunities and paths to success that utilize each individual’s strengths. In today’s era of leadership by consent, I aim to add visible value not only to the company’s success, but also to my team’s growth and development.

Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate to work with mentors and supervisors that believed that the best idea should move forward, no matter who it came from. I’ve benefitted from that belief and from my own work ethic. At Carhartt, we believe that leadership is about hard work and a respect for the people who do it.

WIRLC: What’s a lesson you learned that changed you as a leader?
LH: Over the course of my career, I’ve learned how to balance head and heart. Associate engagement can endure, and even thrive, in difficult situations, but that can’t last forever. Long-term engagement needs strong business results just as much as strong business results rely on engaged employees. 

Read more interviews from our 2025 Top Women in Retail report by downloading it here. Want to connect with women leaders like Linda Hubbard? Apply to become a Women in Retail Leadership Circle member today!