Lead Like Her
Conversations with Women Who Are Rewriting the Rules of Retail
Retail has a leadership problem. Women fuel this industry. They drive over 70% of consumer spending. They are, without question, the backbone of retail and make up 57% of retail workforce in the U.S. But here is the crux of the problem. Women are underrepresented in leadership roles in retail holding only 29% of executive and senior executive positions. The leadership path narrows and the glass ceiling has yet to be shattered. Women only make up 12% of chief executive roles. When leadership fails to reflect its workforce and customers, innovation stalls, culture suffers, and performance lags. Join the movement, Lead Like Her, to make a difference.
Real Talk from the Top
Lead Like Her is our response.
Through unfiltered, in-depth conversations hosted by retail strategist Shelley E. Kohan, we bring together women who’ve navigated, challenged, and ultimately changed the rules of engagement at the highest levels. Founders, senior executives and CEOs. Many are trailblazers in their respective fields.
They talk candidly about what it really takes to lead in a historically male dominated industry: the skill-building, the tradeoffs, the systemic obstacles, and the mindset shifts. No cliches or performative storytelling. Just sharp, actionable insight from those who’ve lived it. With straight talk and advice for the next-gen leaders.
From Dialogue to Disruption
Lead Like Her is both a rallying cry and a roadmap for change. We’re not here to inspire with platitudes. We’re here to pressure-test the system, elevate underrepresented voices, and redefine what leadership should look like in retail’s next era.
Retail’s Boldest Thinkers
Video Library
Explore our collection of video interviews of leaders sharing wisdom gained from their leadership journey.
Denise Incandela, EVP Fashion Walmart US
Despite driving most consumer spending, women remain underrepresented in retail leadership—Walmart’s Denise Incandela shares her journey to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
Janet Hayes, CEO Crate & Barrel
Janet discusses how she transformed a major retail brand by leading with empathy and expertise.
Deborah Weinswig, CEO of Coresight
Deborah Weinswig combines strong relationship-building, analytical skills, and a disciplined work ethic to transform industries.
Amy Errett, CEO Madison Reed
Amy shares her journey, highlighting intuition, and leading with purpose to build a successful, people-first business.
Stacey Shulman, VP Intel Corporation
Stacey champions resilience, authenticity, and co-elevation for women’s success in the male-dominated tech industry.
Maria Silsdorf, Retired VP of Operations Bloomingdales
Maria shares how mastering every role, claiming her seat at the table, and standing firm in truth fueled her nearly 40-year rise and paved the way for future women leaders in retail.
Julie Bernard, CMO Lily AI
Julie shares her unconventional rise from merchandising to tech leadership, emphasizing strategic networking, intentional time use, and cultivating empowering environments as keys to sustained professional success.
Imani Laners, Cultural Intelligence & Impact Expert
Imani exemplifies how authentic connection, adaptability, and charisma fuel dynamic leadership, with her journey from cheerleader to award-winning media executive offering powerful lessons in innovation, balance, and bold action.
Bridget Johns, CEO To&From
Bridget shares how calm under pressure, authentic networking, and fearless connection-building fuel her transformative approach to retail leadership.
Allison Heaney, CEO Skaggs Walsh
Allison shares how authentic leadership, confidence rooted in equality, and maternal strengths helped her break barriers and thrive in the male-dominated home heating oil industry.
Join The Disruption
Back The Movement
Aligning your brand with Lead Like Her means more than exposure. It means putting a stake in the ground and empowering a movement to inspire meaningful change in the industry. It means being part of a muchneeded evolution in retail leadership. Support the voices.
Consumers notice. Employees care. The market responds.
Sponsorship Includes:
- 2025 exclusive program sponsorship
- Brand integration across all videos, events, and editorial
- Over 1 million impressions across platforms
Let’s drive the industry forward—together.
Interested in sponsoring Lead Like Her or being featured in a future episode? Reach out below.