As an expert in founder-led companies, one of Carla Vernón’s contributions at The Honest Company is to protect Jessica Alba’s vision and bring the company into a new chapter where she has grown gross margins by a thousand basis points since she took the reins. How did she do it?

Marcy is a customer-centric strategist and innovator; founder of Schaffir Consulting in 2022 she has been one of the most successful leaders in the industry at Lane Bryant, L Brands, LensCrafters, Ann Taylor, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Her leadership philosophy is based on her conviction to, “Stop waiting; start asking.”

Melissa Gonzalez didn’t plan to revolutionize retail. The Principal and founder of MG2 and author of The Purpose Pivot, left her Wall Street career for a more creative path, leveraging her analytical talent, risk management ability and affinity with consumer passion. Her career has been defined by clarity in the midst of chaos, by understanding the bigger picture.

Melissa Gonzalez didn’t plan to revolutionize retail. The Principal and founder of MG2 and author of The Purpose Pivot, left her Wall Street career for a more creative path, leveraging her analytical talent, risk management ability and affinity with consumer passion. Her career has been defined by clarity in the midst of chaos, by understanding the bigger picture.

Sharon John stepped into Build-A-Bear Workshop 12 years ago seamlessly and successfully following Founder Maxine Clark’s retirement. While the boardroom predicted disaster, Sharon orchestrated a textbook turnaround. A veteran of Mattel, she preserved Maxine’s vision and 28-year-old brand legacy and maintained the culture while driving transformation, proving that respect for the past and immediate results aren’t mutually exclusive.

Here’s an impressive retail transformation story. Kimberly Minor, CEO of WOCRA and Interim Executive Director at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, shares raw truths about what it really takes to lead in today’s retail landscape.