Kristina Stidham is the digital content director at Women in Retail Leadership Circle and sister brands Total Retail and Women Leading Travel & Hospitality at NAPCO Media. She is passionate about digital media and handles video, podcast and virtual event production for all brands. You can often find her at WIRLC, TR, WLT&H or industry events with her camera and podcasting equipment—or at home on Zoom—recording interviews with thought leaders and business executives.
Kristina holds a B.A. in Media Studies and Production from the Temple University Klein College of Media and Communication in Philadelphia. Go Owls! When she's not in the office, she loves to go on long walks, sing around the house, hangout with her family and two pet guinea pigs, and travel to new places.
Laysha Ward spent a remarkable 33 years at Target Corp., most recently serving as its executive vice president and chief external engagement officer. But even as one of the nation’s leading female C-suite executives, she faced biases and challenges at work. In this video clip from the 2025 Women in Retail Leadership Summit, Ward recounts...
When Mecca Mitchell thinks about professional courage, she breaks it into three parts: attitude, aptitude and appetite. In other words, it’s informed by who you are, what you can do, and what you want. Mitchell, senior vice president of leadership and organizational development, DEI, and community impact at Burlington Stores, Inc., spoke as part of...
In her first two months as the CEO of David’s Bridal, Kelly Cook has been thinking a lot about servant leadership. Just 30 days into her new role leading transformation at the Pennsylvania-based company, Cook took the stage at the 2025 Women in Retail Leadership Summit, held April 28-30 on Amelia Island, FL, to share...
Why and how did SoulCycle cut through the crowded fitness industry? What made the brand “sticky” enough to grab consumers’ interest? Amy Shecter, CEO of Cast Jewelry, asked these questions of Julie Rice, co-founder of Peoplehood and SoulCycle, on stage during the 2025 Women in Retail Leadership Summit, held April 28-30 on Amelia Island, FL. In...
PJ Oleksak, CEO of Nuts.com, shared her insights on embracing transformational leadership during the Women in Retail Leadership Summit, held April 28-30 on Amelia Island, FL. Oleksak’s playbook includes five steps to be a VITAL transformational leader: Voice a bold vision that inspires. Instill authenticity. Transform talent and potential. Activate curiosity and challenge the status...
In this Women in Retail Leadership Circle member spotlight, we feature a video interview with Karina Dolgin, chief product and revenue officer of James Avery Jewelry, a Texas-based, family-owned artisan jewelry brand. We asked Karina a series of questions about herself and her career so you can get to know her better. If you would...
Will you be at the CommerceNext Growth Show later this month? Meet Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) there June 24-25 in New York City! We’ve partnered with CommerceNext to offer a booth space for our community. Members and friends are welcome to stop by, say hello, learn about WIRLC membership, and use the space...
Debra Whitman, PhD, a leading expert on aging, recently found herself asking key questions we all face in midlife and beyond: How long will I live? Will I be healthy? Can I maintain my memory? Will I have enough money? Drawing from her best-selling book, “The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of...
Congratulations to the 2025 Top Women in Retail and Women on the Rise! Honorees took the stage at the 2025 Women in Retail Leadership Summit, held April 28-30 on Amelia Island, FL. Grab a copy of the 2025 Top Women in Retail report here. Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can watch all sessions from...
Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN, and founder and CEO of Joy Bauer Ventures Inc., was the closing keynote at the 2025 Women in Retail Leadership Summit, held April 28-30 on Amelia Island, FL. Peak performance isn’t just about strategy — it’s about stamina, resilience and energy. In this dynamic session, Joy Bauer, one of the...
