The content featured below was created to help leaders and managers build the skills and gain the knowledge they need to boost their professional performance. Topics covered in this section include managing interpersonal relationships, developing listening skills, having empathy, improving communication skills, how to effectively delegate, what employee empowerment means, among others.
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...
In retail, as in so many industries, titles are wildly inconsistent. A director in one company runs 300 stores. In another, she manages a category analyst. A “manager” might oversee a multimillion-dollar P&L — or nothing but project timelines. If we rely solely on our formal title to communicate our value, we let an organization’s...
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 environment, uncertainty is constant — but confusion doesn’t have to be. This session explores how leaders can communicate clearly, confidently, and credibly during times of change. Learn practical strategies for addressing ambiguity, aligning teams around evolving priorities, and maintaining trust even when all the answers aren’t yet available. This members-only workshop occurred on...
When a career shift happens unexpectedly, whether it’s a layoff, a paused search, or a pivot you’ve chosen yourself, it’s easy to feel stuck. What comes next? How do you move forward with confidence and purpose? On Feb. 27 at 12 p.m. ET, Women in Retail Leadership Circle will host the second installment of our...
In this episode of Women in Retail Talks, Women in Retail Leadership Circle Managing Editor Marie Albiges interviews Reba Hatcher, chief commercial officer at ButcherBox, a delivery subscription service that offers high-quality, humanely raised meat and seafood. Hatcher shares insights about ButcherBox’s evolution over 10 years; using data to achieve growth while staying connected to customers; her varied, nonlinear career trajectory; advice on navigating cross-industry career changes; and more.
Duration: 32:41
“You have to believe you are capable. That is resilience,” says Melissa Rivers, best-selling author, producer, and entertainment journalist. Rivers took the stage at the 2025 Women in Retail On the Road: Los Angeles event last fall with Kristen Stevens, vice president, omnichannel programming and pricing, QVC/HSN. In this clip from the session, the pair discuss...
There’s an unspoken side of unemployment that rarely gets discussed, especially among senior leaders. It’s not just the loss of a role or a paycheck. It’s the gradual erosion of visibility, validation and belonging. When I became unemployed, I expected the practical challenges: updating my resume, networking, interviewing, explaining my situation. What I didn’t fully...
There’s a been a real shift in LinkedIn over the last few months. It’s no longer just a job search platform; it’s a trust-based platform, designed to convert visitors into relationships, talent, and thought leadership. That’s according to LinkedIn strategist Judi Hays, who earlier this month expertly led Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) members...
For female leaders, the fear of missing out (FOMO) often disguises itself as ambition. The constant yeses, the nonstop travel, the jammed calendars, the feeling that if you’re not everywhere, you’re falling behind. But as Melissa Gonzalez, principal at MG2 and author of “The Purpose Pivot: How Dynamic Leaders Put Vulnerability and Intuition into Action,”...
