Celebrating women in retail

March was Women’s History Month. To honor the occasion, Retail Gets Real looked back at a few of our favorite conversations from some of retail’s smartest people. From how to champion diversity to great career advice and tips on growing as a leader, we’ve highlighted key discussions and insights worth resharing from trailblazing women in retail.

here’s no one better to speak on the subject than those paving the way. 

On a leader’s role in fostering diversity

“Every leader and every employee has to take on a level of responsibility to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.”
-  Michelle Gass, CEO of Levi Strauss & Company

On career advice

“It doesn’t matter what role you’re in. It doesn’t matter what organization you’re in. If you’re curious and creative and agile, and you have a small sense of passion to out-hustle others, you can achieve far beyond what you ever imagined you could.”
-  Heidi Cooley, Chief Marketing Officer of Crocs

On effective leadership

“That's our obligation. To grow the next wave of talent that's going to help an organization be successful … . There is no title that could cause me to stop being self-reflective every day about what I did and the contribution I made, and what I could have done differently, and I think that makes a difference.”
-  Mecca Mitchell, senior vice president of Leadership and Organizational Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Community Impact for Burlington Stores

“I have to make sure that the people who are leading our teams and the people underneath them have the resources and the guidance and the direction that they need in order to be successful.”
-  Christiane Pendarvis, co-CEO of Pattern Beauty

“A lot of people tend to focus on: What are my weaknesses and how do I make my weaknesses better? I tend to lean toward: What are your strengths and how do you get even better at your strengths?”
-  Theresa Lee, vice president, HR talent, culture and strategy for PetSmart

Listen to the full episode to hear more from retail’s inspiring female leaders on their best career advice, thoughtful approaches to leadership and how they are guiding their teams to success.