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Who We Are

Built by Women | Made for Women | Designed to Champion Women

Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) came about after co-founders Jennifer DiPasquale and Melissa Campanelli spent a lot of time conversing with women retail leaders in the industry. They regularly heard stories that while there are a lot of women working in the retail space, the number of women in the C-suite is actually dwindling. Before launching WIRLC, however, we tested the idea with our first annual Women in Retail Leadership Summit, which launched in the spring of 2014. The event was a smashing, sold-out success. Following the incredible inaugural Summit, we decided to move ahead with the idea, and thus, WIRLC was born.

Our community is comprised of successful, motivated and passionate women from the entire retail and brand ecosystem who have a strong belief that investing in themselves and in other women is good business. From CEOs with years of experience to directors working their way up, the common thread is women coming together to learn from each other and help each other succeed.

Focused on both business strategy and executive professional development, WIRLC offers women leaders the opportunity to network, discuss industry issues and learn how to become better leaders.

The energized core of our community stems from the hundreds of dedicated members who believe and support our mission. Beyond directly connecting with the industry’s most elite women leaders, benefits of membership include discounted event registration, exclusive member-only content, a private networking forum, and so much more.

Founders

Melissa Campanelli
Co-Founder/Brand and Content Director
Women in Retail Leadership Circle
Jennifer DiPasquale
President and Co-Founder
Women in Retail Leadership Circle

Timeline

         
2011    
  • Total Retail debuts first annual Top Women in Retail List
         
2014    
  • April
  • The first Women in Retail Leadership Summit occurs in Miami
  • September
  • The Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) Advisory Board is formed
  • October
  • The Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) is officially founded
         
2015    
  • The first Inner Circle e-newsletter is launched
  • Women in Retail Talks podcast is launched
  • The first annual Girl Talks East and West events occur in New York City and San Francisco
         
2016    
  • The WIRLC Advisory Board doubles in size
         
2017    
  • WIRLC membership doubles in size
         
2018    
  • WIRLC celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Women in Retail Leadership Summit
  • WIRLC hosts first Girls’ Lounge at Shoptalk with FQ
  • WIRLC: On the Road one-day regional events are launched in New York City and San Francisco
         
2019    
  • The Women in Retail Leadership Summit hits over 350 attendees