Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) had a whirlwind week in New York City, bringing connection, inspiration and community-building to the heart of retail.

We kicked things off at the National Retail Federation’s 2026 Big Show, held Jan. 11-13 at the Jacob Javits Center, where we hosted our second annual Women in Retail Oasis. Amid the buzz of the show, the Oasis offered attendees a peaceful space to unwind, reconnect and recharge. It was wonderful to meet with so many members and nonmembers who stopped by to network, learn how to get involved in the WIRLC community, and explore our programs and initiatives designed to support and celebrate women leading retail.

The Big Show brought together more than 40,000 attendees and 6,000 brands from around the globe for three days of learning, collaboration and discovery, and we were thrilled to be part of that incredible energy.

Next, we found our flow at a Women’s Breakfast and Sunrise Yoga Session, hosted at Edge NYC alongside our partner, Adyen. It was inspiring to see so many women take a break from the NRF rush to enjoy a moment of calm. The yoga session was led by world-class Equinox instructors, and participants were able to soak in breathtaking skyline views inside Edge’s indoor atrium.

To close out our New York stay, we hosted a Women in Retail x DVF store takeover event at the beautiful Diane von Furstenberg headquarters in the city’s Meatpacking District. The event brought together more than 100 women for networking, connection and conversation. It also featured conversations with two of ours partners, Blue Yonder and Amazon Freight, along with a powerful panel of leaders who shared candid insights on their career paths, the disruptive trends reshaping retail, and the leadership principles that will matter most in 2026 and beyond. Speakers included Kiera Ganann, senior vice president, head of merchandising, The Children’s Place; Barbara Garces, chief digital officer, Citizen Watch America; Shawuan Johnson, chief merchandising officer, Victoria’s Secret & Co.; and JuE Wong, CEO, Performance Beauty Group. The panel was moderated by Andrea Wasserman, founder of The Executive Express.

Following the discussion, attendees stayed to network with fellow retail leaders while enjoying delicious bites, refreshing libations and, of course, some fantastic shopping.

From the Oasis to yoga in the sky to powerful conversations at DVF, it was an unforgettable week of connection, learning and inspiration!