Three days of inspiration, content and meaningful connections brought women in business across retailers and brands together for the Women in Retail Leadership Summit. Hosted by the Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC), the summit provides a bespoke opportunity to share best practices to improve business processes and support each other, woman-to-woman, on our entrepreneurial and leadership journeys.
This event took place at the Ritz-Carlton at Amelia Island, Florida offering a beautiful backdrop to absorb new, innovative leadership practices, discover the latest retail and technology trends, and take home actionable ways to benefit oneself and one’s business.
There was no shortage of wisdom shared, with women in leadership bringing a bright and fresh perspective within the retail industry, providing a foundation of fundamentals for the next generation of trailblazers.
Confidence > Competency
One of my favorite lessons from the summit came from Sharon Price John. Shared in the style of a TED Talk, Sharon delivered a powerful 15-minute keynote on the value of how confidence can a more important role than competence. Research findings suggest that dominant individuals can ascend group hierarchies and attain influence simply by appearing self-assured and speaking up. For women, this is so crucial because we are asked to compete in a business world where confidence often trumps competence (even if women often come to the table fully equipped with confidence). Sharon invited the audience to consider that we, as women, are naturally driven to be deeply skilled and capable, and to make sure that confidence is a focal area for personal investment when climbing the corporate ladder.
Lessons Around Life and Leadership
Another enlightening panel discussion was a held by four incredible women founders and CEOs responsible for transforming today’s retail industry. We received an inside look into the career journeys of Mandy Fields, SVP and CFO of e.l.f. Beauty; Jacqueline Ardery, President, CEO and Board Director for Vera Bradley; Deirdre Quinn, Co-Founder and CEO of Lafayette 148 New York; and Paula Schneider, CEO and President of Susan G. Komen. Amongst the top lessons and actionable advice around how to succeed in both work and life, the audience learned about the valuable balance between driving leadership success, while being flexible with your own plan, finding accountability and being resilient.
Investing in yourself is as easy as taking a stroll
For those who know me, they know how much I value health and wellness. It was personally validating to sit through talk tracks and activations centered around strategies to build a career with health baked in. Hearing from Dr. Amy Shah, a double board-certified doctor and leading expert in women’s hormonal health and nutrition, she shared credible ways for busy professional women to get healthy, which can be as easy as walking! In fact, Dr. Shah said that walking is one the best exercise to increase cortisol levels. Simple health advice can go along way for women who are juggling a lot at home, at work and everywhere in between. I also enjoyed a beautiful walk/run and yoga at the summit, sponsored by Mattel and Shopify one morning during the summit!
24Notion + Adobe sharing an impact
As much as there was to absorb during the three days of content, 24Notion was also there to contribute an incredible activation for the Adobe Digital Experience team through the activation of generative AI (GenAI) headshots for the women. This experiential engagement demonstrated how easy GenAI can be used in retail brand’s marketing strategies. It was such a hit with the attendees.
All in all, it was an absolute honor to be part of such an incredibly inspiring and supportive event focused around women leadership. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with the content, fun pop-up shops and unique activations offered by the white-glove event. We are certain next year won’t be any different!
