Women Who Rock: The Class of 2025

Role: Executive vice president, Designer Brands; president, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse

Why She Rocks: Laura Davis joined Designer Brands in July 2023 after serving in previous posts at Michaels Stores, Claire’s Stores and Macy’s. At DBI, Denk oversees DSW’s nearly 500 store locations across the U.S., as well as its e-commerce channel. She also is tasked with bolster DSW’s portfolio of owned and national brands.

Role: Global chief customer officer & senior vice president, Foot Locker Inc.

Why She Rocks: After roles at Athleta, Sephora and other retailers, Kim Waldmann joined Foot Locker Inc. in 2023 and has been helping to reignite the company’s buzz-factor with consumer initiatives like a giant NBA All-Star Weekend activation and a Gen Z-focused holiday campaign starring hoops stars Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball and Grammy-nominated artist Coi Leray.

Role: Founder & creative director, Betzábe

Why She Rocks: Born in Mexico and raised in the U.S., designer Betzábe González brings a unique design perspective to her footwear brand, Betzábe, launched in 2023. As a Latina designer and founder, she said, “I believe in celebrating cultural heritage, working with artisans, living intentionally and bringing passion to whatever I do, wherever I go.”

Role: Vice president of North America marketing, e-commerce & consumer analytics, New Balance

Why She Rocks: Tracy Knauer believes in the power of representation, pointing to her own career growth as an example. At New Balance, the presence of female mentors and supportive colleagues has clearly made a significant impact on my professional journey,” she said. “It’s crucial to have accessible women mentors and peers to turn to for support and advice. This not only fosters personal growth but also strengthens the overall community within the workplace. There is tremendous value in creating an environment where women can connect, share experiences, and uplift each other.”

Role: Executive vice president & general merchandise manager of shoes, kids’ apparel, Nordstrom

Why She Rocks: Nordstrom‘s EVP and GMM for shoes joined the retail company in 1981, starting on the sales floor and working her way up to the executive level. For Powers, mentorship has been key to her success. She cited former shoe leaders Jack Minuk and Scott Meden, along with Nordstrom‘s former women’s apparel exec, Kelly Cole-Berka, as people who’ve helped guide her career. In her more than 40 years at Nordstrom, Powers has used her own experience to mentor future leaders. And it’s a two-way street for the exec. While she certainly has skills and knowledge to pass on, Powers said she gains as much insight from her mentees as they do from her. “I find that they can help me build a wider perspective,” she said.

Role: Executive director, Running Industry Diversity Coalition

Why She Rocks: Kiera Smalls has proven to be an effective leader when it comes to Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) representation in the running industry. She also has a few ideas specifically for the advancement of women. “Oftentimes, conversations about supporting women focus heavily on mentorship at entry-level positions. While this is important, we need to also focus on advancing more women into C-suite and board roles,” said Smalls. “This requires systemic changes that prioritize equitable pipelines designed to actively position women for these opportunities while addressing biases in decision-making spaces. Organizations must design workplace cultures that enable women to thrive in leadership through mental health resources, flexible scheduling and ongoing development.

Role: President of U.S. operations, Naot

Why She Rocks: In her own career journey, Ayelet Lax Levy said her biggest challenge was balancing full-time work with the responsibilities of motherhood. “When I had my first child it was very hard for the men who were in charge of our company at the time to realize that I needed support and help in order to find that work-life balance,” she recalled. “By empowering young women and letting them know that we don’t expect them to ‘have it all,’ but rather that we are there to support them in their quest to balance it all, it elevates and empowers them.” In all cases, she believes in the importance of listening — both to women in the workplace and to female consumers.

Role: President, Ugg

Why She Rocks: Learning experiences are crucial in shaping an inclusive environment, according to Anne Spangenberg. “One thing I prioritize, and something everyone can do, is to give teams the opportunity to present and educate others on their expertise,” the Ugg president told FN. “Not every meeting or presentation has to be led by the leader. We welcome all opinions at all levels and see the value in crediting those responsible for the brand’s success.”

Role: CEO & founder, Industry Education; co-founder, S.E.E.D.

Why She Rocks: Jessica Smith sits at the crossroads of education and industry, helping to pave a pathway for diverse creatives to forge successful careers, both through S.E.E.D. (a design education program for BIPOC female creators at Adidas) and through Industry Education, an apprenticeship network that partners with various corporations. She said that cultivating future talent means changing the status quo. “There is a huge generational divide in the workplace across baby boomers, Gen X, millennials and Gen Z,” said Smith. “A newer and powerful trend that I strongly promote is reverse mentoring, whereby leadership gains insights and expertise from more junior level talent. While access to leaders and information due to technology is greater than ever, bridging the generational divide through reverse mentoring is critical to unlock high performing teams and talent.”

Role: CEO, Ariat

Why She Rocks: Beth Cross spends a lot of time thinking about how to support employees in their many life stages. For instance, with younger team members, the company’s focus is on coaching, mentoring and teaching them how to show up in the workplace. “We make some of our meetings bigger than they perhaps need to be, not because we’re trying to be less efficient, but because it gives younger people in the organization an opportunity to see how it works,” Cross said. Then, when employees enter the family stage of life, Ariat offers paid parental for both men and women. It also welcomes the whole family into the organization. “Because half of our sales team are women, there’s almost always a baby at our company sales meetings,” Cross said, laughing.

Role: Vice president of global brand strategy, social media & PR, Aldo Group

Why She Rocks: To empower the next generation, Amanda Amar believes it’s essential to frame the conversation around systems, not individuals. “Women are not inherently unsupportive of one another. Instead, systemic barriers — such as competition for limited opportunities and workplace cultures that pit people against each other — can create the perception of this dynamic,” said Amar, who said creating environmnents that focus on collaboration is essential.

Role: Active Group president, Wolverine Worldwide

Why She Rocks: With nearly 30 years of footwear, apparel and retail leadership experience, Susie Kuhn has developed relationships with the industry’s most powerful and respected women — and employs those to ensure the future remains female. “I prioritize engaging with my female colleagues and the industry connections I’ve built over the years,” said Kuhn, who was named president of Wolverine Worldwide’s Active Group in October 2024. “I believe my connections are my most valuable asset and I’m always willing to leverage my connections to help my female colleagues.” This is especially helpful to cultivate future talent. “To empower the next generation of female leaders in Gen Z, Gen Alpha and beyond, we need to focus our leaders and managers on providing real-time job feedback and coaching opportunities.”

Role: President, Katy Perry Collections

Why She Rocks: Allison Bennett is always looking to pay it forward. “I have been fortunate to work alongside exceptional and inspiring women who have significantly contributed to my professional growth and development,” said Bennett, who joined Katy Perry Collections as president in March. “This impact remains a guiding principle for me. Within my organization, supporting and empowering women involves enhancing their visibility and presence and facilitating opportunities for new experiences that promote professional growth and advancement. Women progressing in their career is a meaningful accomplishment for everyone involved.”

Role: President, Dearfoams

Why She Rocks: For Justine Suh, building supportive coalitions of female leaders, mentors and mentees is essential to overcoming challenges and achieving success. “Women face unique obstacles, particularly in male-dominated industries, and I’ve been fortunate to learn resilience and confidence from mentors who encouraged me to embrace my authority and ambition,” said the Dearfoams president, who joined the brand in January from Carter’s. “I strive to create environments where women uplift one another, forming a ‘sisterhood’ in business that drives collective success and empowers the next generation of leaders to thrive.”

Role: Designer

Why She Rocks: Feng Chen Wang’s goal is to elevate and develop the next generation of leaders. “When hiring my team, I don’t alienate. I strive to work with the best people for the job and create a safe, inclusive environment for my team,” said the designer, who often creates eye-catching shoe collabs with Converse and Ugg. “It just so happens right now my team is predominately female-led. I strive to make everyone feel welcome, comfortable and confident enough to share their ideas. My team of women are fairly young, so I feel a sense of responsibility to mentor them.”

Role: President, Altra

Why She Rocks: Jennifer McLaren’s network of leaders and sponsors has been a tremendous asset throughout her career, and with her position atop Altra, she’s eager to pay it forward. The exec, who was named president in April 2023, explained she does this internally in several ways, including providing leadership opportunities and exposure for projects within Altra and VF Corp. She also sponsors her colleagues for leadership roles and promotions.

Role: Executive vice president, women’s creative director & product strategy, Kenneth Cole

Why She Rocks: When it comes to empowering women, Emily Cole believes the question we should be asking is: Are our companies, policies, laws, norms and expectations designed to support women — and specifically women of color — to enable them to succeed? “If we are being honest, most of the time the answer is still no. If women aren’t receiving the kind of support they need and deserve, it’s not because other women aren’t doing their part. It’s because men and institutions also must own the problem and work to improve it.” Cole said change will come faster if we ask how men hold themselves accountable.

Role: Artist & collaborator

Why She Rocks: “Empowering the next generation of female leaders starts with authentic representation,” said New York-based artist Nina Chanel Abney, who has collaborated with the likes of Jordan Brand and Timberland. “It’s not enough to highlight the end results of success — we need to showcase the full journey, including the challenges, failures and resilience it takes to get there. Young women need to see leaders who reflect their experiences and aspirations. Beyond representation, we must create spaces where their voices are heard and valued early on, whether in classrooms, communities, or creative spaces. By encouraging them to embrace their ideas, take risks and lead unapologetically, we lay the foundation for a generation that defines success on their own terms.”

Role: CEO, Red Wing Shoe Co.

Why She Rocks: Just by being in her role as CEO, Allison Gettings is telling other women to believe in the possibility of carving their own path. But there are other ways the leader works to empower women at Red Wing, including being vocal in hiring and leadership development conversations, to ensure the same opportunities are available to women as to men. On the more personal level, Gettings said she feels accountable for creating awareness among men in the company about the unique challenges women face as working mothers. For instance, she was coming off maternity leave when she became CEO. you can imagine the constraints that I had in terms of feeding my baby and getting home at a decent time. How would I travel?” Gettings recalled. “This became an open conversation with my male colleagues.”

Role: President & CEO, PrimaLoft

Why She Rocks: Anne Cavassa believes the answer to solving inequities in the workplace lies in mentorship. “Rather than coaching how to fit in, I believe good mentorship encourages women to amplify their strengths, be confident in their voice and give and take credit where credit is due,” she said. “Not only will you be noticed for your good work, but you will be noticed for your partnership as well.” Looking ahead, Cavassa believes encouraging women to dream big will ensure future generations are successful.

Role: Group president, Steve Madden

Why She Rocks: For Wendy Steinberg, going the extra mile makes all the difference when it comes to leading and cultivating a team. “People just undervalue conversation and having a human connection with someone, and it really helps business,” said the group president at Steve Madden. “I really like taking a bunch of unique individuals and drawing out each person’s personality and skill set and building one amazing team.” Steinberg is also heavily involved in the company’s summer internship program, often recruiting talent from unexpected places. About six former summer interns are now full time.

Role: Chief marketing officer, Kizik

Why She Rocks: Elizabeth Drori wants to ensure that all voices are heard and valued. Kizik’s chief marketing officer, who joined the hands-free footwear brand last year from Sperry, noted that she focuses on creating opportunities for professional growth by encouraging women to take on leadership roles, setting career goals and providing mentorship along the way. As for what the industry needs to do to ensure women are rising to top positions, Drori suggested that companies can address barriers by holding leaders accountable for fostering an inclusive culture where people feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute fully.

Role: Senior vice president of marketing & brand strategy, Puma North America

Why She Rocks: Puma executive Tara McRae believes supporting each other is “key” to everyone finding success. “Vocal support, especially in front of others is essential,” said McRae, who rejoined Puma North America in September. “I make it a point to vocally support my female colleagues in both meetings and one-on-one settings. Additionally, encouraging them to step up and tackle challenging and visible roles is crucial in empowering and elevating women.” McRae noted that when it comes to nurturing new talent, supporting young women now is an important step in empowering the next generation of female leaders.

Role: Senior vice president of marketing, advertising & PR, Marc Fisher Footwear

Why She Rocks: Shanya Perera has made it priority to ensure that the women on her teams feel heard and supported. Step one, she said, is to give everyone a seat at the table — literally. Then, she makes sure to celebrate the wins, both big and small. “Whether it’s acknowledging their contributions to a key marketing campaign or celebrating an engagement or a monthly TikTok- inspired gift exchange, I like to sprinkle in a little humanity to empower my teammates,” Perera said. It can be easy for employees, especially junior team members, to feel like they’re simply “cogs in the marketing wheel,” she explained. “They’re all valuable in so many important and unique ways.”

Role: Senior director of sales, Asics

Why She Rocks: When asked about how she stands up for female colleagues, Jennifer Tarantino shared a story of two working-mother friends who were recently offered promotions. Rather than being excited, they were uncertain and anxious. “This wasn’t due to a lack of ability, but rather because their plates were already full. They questioned whether they could handle more responsibilities and succeed, and whether the offer was worth the personal sacrifices they might have to make,” said Tarantino, who joined Asics in November 2023. “I listened intently, striving to understand their perspectives and asked hard questions. While I didn’t provide any answers, I helped them step outside of their own thoughts. I offered my support without judgment, genuinely caring about what was best for them.”

Role: Chief marketing officer, DSW

Why She Rocks: Sarah Crockett has been on her “leadership quest” as of late. “This has been the result of having, frankly, a run of a few leaders over the past five years that have been less than inspired for me,” she said. That frustration led her to her new role at DSW. “I was really seeking a leader that could challenge me, that could value my strengths and that I can see that I can bring a brand and a team together and have a level of trust and a level of accountability that I haven’t seen in quite a while.” This diverse set of thinking is what she found at DSW and what she brings to her team on daily basis.

Role: Chief product officer, Merrell

Why She Rocks: Noreen Naroo-Pucci, who was named Merrell’s chief product officer in December 2024, believes that understanding and celebrating the different journeys of women is critical to empowering the next female leaders. “We can support them by being candid and honest about our own journeys, providing encouragement and taking the time to listen and engage with them,” she said. “By sharing our stories, offering guidance and fostering open communication, we can help these young leaders develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.”

Role: Vice president of marketing & sales, BBC International

Why She Rocks: Honesty is the best policy as a leader, according to Maureen Duffy-Tan, even when it’s uncomfortable. Duffy-Tan recalled a time during the COVID pandemic that she opened up to her colleagues during a town hall about her personal challenges with mental health and the support she received from the company’s human resources department. “COVID was an unprecedented time, and the best way I knew how to support women was to share my experience and to encourage them to feel empowered to ask for what they needed,” she said.

Role: Director of distribution, Shoe Show Inc.

Why She Rocks: Shoe Show executive Jennifer Cox is proud of the progress that’s been made so far regarding gender equity in retail. “There were times coming up that I would’ve never thought I would see a woman president, and here I am working for one,” said Cox, referring to Lisa Tucker, who took over as president of Shoe Show in 2018. As for how she shows up for her colleagues, Cox said she maintains an open-door policy and tries to offer guidance and personal advice. “We need to share our stories,” she explained. “Each generation thinks there’s no common ground with the next, but the longer we live, we can see consistencies.”

Role: Senior vice president of global PR & communications, Authentic Brands Group

Why She Rocks: As an 11-year veteran of Authentic Brands Group, Haley Steinberg has been a guiding force in the company’s journey from industry upstart to powerhouse. Behind the scenes, she’s also passionate about supporting the women around her. “We advocate for women when they aren’t in the room. Talking about their strengths and accomplishments lifts the pressure of feeling like they need to defend their qualifications when sharing their ideas,” said Steinberg. “When they step into the room, they are met with respect, so the focus can be on the work.”

Role: Vice president of corporate engagement, FDRA; president, FFANY

Why She Rocks: In her roles at FDRA and FFANY, Mines is continuously working to advocate for new members and those new to the footwear industry, to help support and grow their businesses. Mines is also the president of the Fashion Footwear Charity Foundation, a nonprofit that helps fund groundbreaking first-step breast cancer research. “I don’t know a more empowering thing to do for women than lead a charity for breast cancer research,” she said. “It’s been rewarding to work with these women of different backgrounds, different companies and pull together something phenomenal.”

Role: Senior vice president, Sam Edelman

Why She Rocks: Libby Edelman knows the power of great leadership, especially when it comes to how women can support their colleagues. “Women, in their pursuit of growth and success, often feel a heightened sense of competition — often from other women. However, a truly exceptional female leader is one who fosters an environment of support, empowering her team to grow and step into new roles, ultimately guiding others toward their own success,” said the senior vice president of Sam Edelman and one of the original forces behind Two Ten’s WIFI initiative.

Role: Senior director of planning & allocation, Rack Room Shoes

Why She Rocks: To foster more gender equity in the retail sector, Melanie Ortlieb said, “it is crucial to provide robust support systems for women, including access to mentorship programs and comprehensive professional development opportunities.” One such opportunity she relies on is the Empowering Women in Business Conference, organized by the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce. Orlieb said the annual event offers inspiring and motivating sessions, so she consistently encourages other women from throughout the Rack Room organization to participate each year.

Role: Chief marketing officer, Journeys Group

Why She Rocks: Stacy Doren believes the observation that women don’t do enough to support each other is both a myth and a truth. “I see supportive tribes of women everywhere and have been blessed to have some badass ladies by my side — lifting me up and cheering me on, through good times and bad,” said the executive, who joined Journeys as chief marketing officer in July. However, she’s also seen it go the other way in the workplace. “The higher up you go, you see fewer women in executive roles, and that creates a sense of competition, where some believe you need to fit into the boys’ club to belong and validate your worth.”

Role: Senior vice president of marketing, Boot Barn

Why She Rocks: “A good leader inspires, empowers and challenges their team. A good leader is not solely concerned with executing a task at hand but is also invested in each team member’s personal and professional growth, whether that be within their own organization or elsewhere,” said Isha Nicole. The executive applies that ethos to her own leadership style by connecting with her team on a personal level. “It’s so important to recognize that the people on your team are human first … recognizing that everyone on the team has realities, commitments and lives outside of work.

Role: President & chief commercial cfficer, Saks Global

Why She Rocks: Saks Global’s new woman in power is ready to roll. Following the company’s completion of the $2.7 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus in late December, Essner stepped up to the role of president and chief commercial officer after a four-year stint as the retailer’s chief marketing officer. “As we strive to transform the luxury shopping experience, I’m excited to lead the team in accelerating our growth through a data-driven strategy centered on the customer,” said Essner. “To achieve our ambitious goal and make a real impact, cultivating a team culture built on collaboration, empowerment and accountability is key.”

Role: Divisional vice president of U.S. & Canada wholesale, accessories, footwear, men’s, RTW, Michael Kors

Why She Rocks: Longtime Michael Kors exec Mary Lisa Idol believes she has a big responsibility to ensure the success of women around her. “As a leader, it is imperative that I advocate for them through vocalizing their successes, promoting their career path and providing mentorship opportunities and exposure,” she said. Idol added that she’s proud to feel surrounded and supported by women at all levels. “I truly believe that strong female support networks are imperative — and needed — for the success of women in the industry,” she said.

Role: Founder & creative director, Penelope Chilvers

Why She Rocks: Penelope Chilvers has been at the helm of her namesake brand for 23 years. And what has been key for her company’s success — and its employees — is flexibility. While she worked many long hours in the early days, Chilvers doesn’t regret creating space to have a career and raise children. “I admire women who embrace both their careers and motherhood, giving it ‘their all’ during the early years and I trust they will deliver out of the 9-to-5 timetable,” she added.

Role: Vice president & chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer, Nike Inc.

Why She Rocks: When it comes to cultivating future generations of leaders, Kizmet Mills believes empowerment begins with giving young people a runway to learn. “I do what I can to create an environment that enables them to develop,” she said. “I’m a big believer in promoting a team environment where skills and different experiences are openly shared, embraced and celebrated. I believe in encouraging innovation through ideas — and even through failure.”

Role: Senior vice president & general merchandise manager, Shoe Carnival Inc.

Why She Rocks: Collaboration, not competition. That is Tanya Gordon’s prescription for retail and fashion businesses, to ensure that women continue to rise to top positions. “The industry must break down the barriers that prevent women from advancing, whether that’s through offering mentorship, equal opportunities or simply fostering an atmosphere where women aren’t pitted against one another,” said the retail veteran. Gordon noted that a competitive workplace, while it might fuel the bottom line, can create barriers for employees seeking to enter leadership roles.

Role: President, E.S. Originals

Why She Rocks: In January, longtime footwear exec Mari Chamberlin was promoted to president of E.S. Originals, the New York-based footwear licensing firm whose portfolio includes popular brands including Nautica, Sugar, Juicy Couture, London Fog, Jones New York and more. Chamberlin has been with E.S. Originals for 27 years, most recently serving as president of the women’s division. Prior to joining the company, she was with Nine West. In her new role, Chamberlin said she’s striving for collaboration and cohesion. “I’ll be making the company more vertical, with sharing more information, keeping the teams closely connected. Everything was very segmented before, and now we’re going to one company,” she said.

Role: Co-founders, Veronica Beard

Why They Rock: The Veronica Beard brand, founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, has built a growing lifestyle brand based on wardrobe essentials that allow women to operate in confidence in any situation. And in part, the co-founders said, their success stems from the confidence they also have in each other.

Said Swanson Beard: “A funny fact is that we have shared an office since we’ve had an office. We have two desks in an office, which, I think, is such a unique thing. Veronica and I operate a lot as a two-headed dragon. And we also have figured out over 15 years, like in any marriage, what you do and what your partner does. We have different strengths and weaknesses. And we pick up the ball for each other. Frankly, we’re super lucky.”

Miele Beard added, “It’s respect. We respect each other’s vantage, and if Veronica feels strongly about Veronica Beard’s Valentina sneaker is one of its top five SKUs something, I let her be because it’s for the betterment of this company. And I trust her, I trust her taste, I trust her inclinations.”