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.
In today’s volatile workplace, developing a robust, high-performance team is vital for success. Erin Wendte, chief commercial officer of Zumiez, highlights four keys for doing this effectively: hiring culture-aligned individuals, integrating development into daily work, transitioning from mentorship to advocacy, and personalizing employee recognition. “I think you can teach hard skillsets, but getting someone who...
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...
Hosted by Women in Retail Leadership Circle’s sister brand, Total Retail, Total Retail Talks is a podcast for retail executives who crave the knowledge and insights needed to stay successful in today’s fast-paced industry. In episode 503 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Marianna Sachse, founder and CEO of Jackalo, the first circular...
The Women in Retail Leadership Circle team is heads down in final preparations for this year’s Women in Retail Leadership Summit (WIRLS), happening April 27-29 in Miami. This is our 12th annual Summit and much of our team has been involved in this event for years. Therefore, we know a thing or two about how...
After a sudden job loss a few years ago, Susie Kuhn found herself living with her parents. She decided to take a much-needed break from the corporate grind, which she now refers to as “the pause.” Kuhn shared her story at the Women in Retail On the Road: Los Angeles event last fall. In this...
At the director and executive level, career growth looks different. The challenges are more complex, the decisions carry greater impact, and opportunities to get candid, objective feedback are rare. That’s where executive career coaching can be especially powerful, and why Women in Retail Leadership Circle is bringing experienced coaches to the 2026 Women in Retail...
In today’s dynamic retail environment, inclusivity is more than just a trend — it’s a necessity. This was the core message from a panel of next-gen women leaders at the 2025 Women in Retail On the Road: Los Angeles event last fall. Francesca Forrester, director of digital operations at Mattel, Inc., said raising the standard...
Women in Retail Leadership Circle is thrilled to be part of Shoptalk 2026 in Las Vegas next month (March 24-26)! We invite you to stop by our Women in Retail Pavilion (booth #MM860), where you can connect with top female retail executives in a relaxed and engaging setting. During breaks in the Shoptalk content program, the...
Today’s retail executives are no stranger to supply chain disruptions and consumer behavior shifts. Vivian Weng, brand president of ColourPop, addressed how the cosmetics brand is navigating these fluctuations during a panel discussion at the 2025 Women in Retail On the Road: Los Angeles event this past fall. Shoppers have changed how they consume content...
When hiring and fostering leadership, three paramount traits stand out to Grace Na: passion, intelligence, and integrity. Na is the founder of Pistola Jeans, a Los Angeles-based premium denim brand. She spoke at the 2025 Women in Retail On the Road: Los Angeles event past this fall. In this clip, Na highlights the significance of...
