This episode of Women in Retail Talks features a session from our recent Women in Retail Virtual Exchange, during which we streamed interviews with key retailers and technology experts live on our Facebook page. During the two-day virtual event, Women in Retail Leadership Circle’s Digital Content Manager Kristina Stidham interviewed Joelle Grunberg, global brand president at Sperry, a Wolverine Worldwide brand know for its iconic boat shoe. Listen in as Grunberg shares her career journey, her recent transition to Sperry, and how she managed starting a new position in such a difficult business climate. She discusses how she’s communicating with both her team and stakeholders, how she keeps her team motivated in the current environment, and her advice for managing people working from home.

In addition, Grunberg shares a few self-care tips she’s utilizing to deal with stress during this uncertain time, how she’s leveraging her network for support and advice, and offers insight on why staying in touch with connections is important at all times. Lastly, Grunberg shares what she is most excited about for the retail industry in a post-coronavirus world.

Joelle Grunberg graduated in 1993 from ESSEC MBA in France, and started her career in audit and then transaction services at Ernst & Young, and then at Deloitte in Paris, where she led efforts in the luxury goods and retail sector. She was also a consultant with McKinsey & Co. in its Paris office, counseling management of some of France’s top companies. In 2003, Grunberg left consulting to be the CEO of Louis Pion-Royal Quartz, France’s biggest watch and jewelry retailer. In 2010, Celio, the French menswear retail leader, asked her to develop Celio Club, a separate business unit specializing in elevated formal wear. Grunberg infused digital in the company through strategic initiatives. In 2013, Grunberg joined Lacoste as CEO of the French business, where she was promoted in 2015 to the North American region and left for New York to oversee the challenge of the ever-changing market there. In February 2020, she joined Sperry as global brand president.

Date: April 7, 2020

Credits: Joelle Grunberg

Duration: 17:49