In today’s ever-changing business landscape, leadership is put to the test more than ever. How do executives lead their teams through times of chaos and uncertainty? We had the privilege to hear from several leaders on this topic at the 2025 Women in Retail On the Road: Los Angeles event last fall.

Cindy Solomon, founder, CEO and president of The Courageous Leadership Institute, led the discussion by prompting four female retail executives to share their advice for navigating turbulent waters.

As Meera Bhatia, brand president and chief operating officer at Fabletics, put it, “lean into who you are as a company.” She explained how Fabletics has doubled down on its core values by operating on a very transparent basis, which is crucial for maintaining trust and focus within the company.

Building off of that, Mimi Swain, chief marketing officer for Amazon devices and services at Amazon.com, added, “As a leader, it’s important to be vulnerable.” By embracing vulnerability and learning alongside her team, Swain exemplifies the significance of shared growth in leadership.

Mary van Praag, CEO and board member at Milani Cosmetics, advocates for a calm, courageous leadership style. “Give yourself the oxygen mask before you can help others,” she advised the audience. van Praag’s strategy involves whole-brain thinking and involving everyone in the organization, ensuring each person — regardless of their position — sees their impact in real time.

By creating environments where authenticity and openness are the norms, leaders can effectively mobilize their teams, fostering resilience and innovation in an era of unpredictability.

Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can view the full panel discussion here as well as session recordings from all previous On the Road events here.