Andrea O’Donnell tries to stay away from what she calls “the F-word” (failure). As brands president at Designer Brands Inc., where she oversees the sourcing, design and distribution of DBI’s growing roster of owned and licensed labels, O’Donnell knows people can sometimes forget that failure is a part of life and not something that should be internalized.

“Because of this, the use of the word failure can create anxiety and fear in a team,” O’Donnell said. “Fear gets in the way of change, forward momentum and progress, so I don’t use it.”

Instead, O’Donnell encourages her team to focus more on what they can get right as opposed to what might go wrong. “On a good day, that’s what my team and I do,” she said. “On bad days, we dust ourselves off, learn some lessons and start again.”

This positive attitude is just one of the skills O’Donnell encourages employees — especially women — to develop throughout the course of their careers. She’s an advocate for staying resilient under pressure and adopting a realistic, yet optimistic view when it comes to long-term goals.

O’Donnell also understands the power of mentorship. Having benefited from the advice and support of women earlier in her career, O’Donnell now makes it a priority to pass her knowledge forward, with a focus on empowering women to be more active in the trajectory of their careers.

“Minimize the distance between gathering data, formulating insights and taking action,” she told FN. “Remember, you can’t create value if you don’t act.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

For more than a year, Jessica Adler has contributed to Merrell‘s pro-outdoor mission as its vice president of sales. To fulfill her duties, Adler said she often has leaned on the brand’s leadership team for support and guidance.

That team includes global brand president Janice Tennant, who is Adler’s first female boss.

“[She] has encouraged me to stay neutral when leading a conversation, emphasizing the importance of objectivity,” Adler said. “Additionally, she exemplifies the importance of setting personal boundaries and unplugging from work during non-working hours.”

As she receives support and guidance from the Merrell team, Adler, a leader who balances her career with motherhood, welcomes the opportunity to mentor others, stating is “among the most fulfilling privileges.”

“I’m passionate about paying it forward, and mentoring allows me to share my experiences, best practices and lessons learned,” she said. “Being a mentor is reciprocal and connects me to fresh perspectives that broaden my understanding of relevant new topics.”

Specifically, as a working mother, Adler said she recommends women balance the expectations of leadership and raising a family, even if you are ambitious and want to excel in all areas, all the time.

“It’s impossible to do it all by yourself, so hiring, coaching and developing an incredible bench is so critical. My team is everything,” Adler said. “Being a mother has shaped my leadership style, making me more empathetic, resilient, curious and even patient. It’s important to foster a culture of support and adaptability. Today’s landscape presents unprecedented opportunities for women to shatter barriers, challenge the status quo and position themselves as influential leaders to drive change.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

Lara Palmer is a strong believer in breaking down walls in the workplace that keep information and teams separate. She is the first female senior director of enterprise applications at Rack Room Shoes and in her six years at the retail chain has helped orchestrate a cultural change that encourages cross-team collaboration.

“When I first joined this team, the technology areas were siloed, especially when it came to new project work and support of existing production systems,” she said. “Now team members feel more empowered to better engage with cross-functional resources and even manage project team members who do not directly report to them.

Palmer believes that individuals can also benefit from taking a similar approach in their careers. She recommends that women looking to move up within a company should strengthen their communication skills, especially when it comes to engaging other business areas. “You need to understand their lingo, their acronyms,” she explained. “One way to grow in this area is to volunteer to work within different areas of the organization.”

Palmer added that project management positions are an excellent way to hone the skillsets that are vital for future leadership roles. “They can allow you another opportunity to lead cross-functional project initiatives and grow your communication skills,” she said. And in her own career, Palmer has leaned on a range of mentors from within her field and teams, as well as outside friends and acquaintances. “Having multiple mentors can help you achieve different goals including career and personal goals,” she said.

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

Tacey Powers knows the power in longevity. Nordstrom‘s executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes joined the retail company in 1981, starting on the sales floor and working her way up to the executive level. But it didn’t come without challenges.

“How much time do you have?” Powers said when asked if there was a time when she felt like she failed.

“Throughout my career, there have been instances where I didn’t achieve what I had set out to do or have been passed up for jobs I thought I was ready for,” she explained. “In these moments, it’s crucial to seek the perspective of someone you trust, someone who will tell you the truth, even if it’s difficult to hear. This person is your truth teller, offering insights into what you may have missed, where your plan was flawed, how you could have improved or how you showed up. Actively listening to their feedback and giving yourself grace is essential, as it’s all part of the learning process and will help elevate your performance to the next 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.

“With my mentors, they were always direct and were never shy to be honest with me,” she said, noting that honesty is a sign of respect and belief in a person’s potential.

With 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.

When choosing a mentor, Powers again reiterated finding someone who can give straight feedback. The exec practices what she preaches, too. For instance, when asked about deciding whether to stay at a job or to look for other opportunities to increase your salary, Powers didn’t hold back.

“In my experience, making a move purely for the money is rarely the best decision,” she said. “I’m a believer that being challenged and passionate about your work is essential. It’s clear we all work hard to provide for our families, and that’s something I deeply respect. If you’re truly engaged and do what you love, success in your role will follow along with compensation. Personally, I’ve seen individuals chase after a higher salary, but often they end up moving on within a year.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

When it comes to advice for today’s young professionals, Christina Henderson offers everyone the same words of wisdom. “Ask questions, be engaged and do the thing. Even if you’re scared, even if you don’t feel ready, do it anyway,” said the executive director of The Running Event (TRE).

It would be wise to listen to Henderson, who has been at the helm of TRE — an annual event that has grown exponentially during a time of trade show uncertainty — since 2019. What’s more, the advice she offers to others are the words she, too, lives by.

“Sometimes people on my team are like, ‘Christina has done this a million times.’ But I still get nervous,” she said. “I’m going to keep showing up, I’m going to keep doing it until it’s a little less nerve-wracking.”

Henderson admitted she hasn’t had one singular mentor throughout her career. Instead, she said numerous bosses, managers and women industry leaders have guided her.

As she mentors others, Henderson also offered praise to a pair of specialty run retailers — Brooke Beck of Red Coyote and Kathy Dalby of Pacers Running — who created Empowerun, an annual event that connects women leaders in the industry.

“That changed the trajectory of my career,” Henderson said. “I’ve built relationships there and I’ve gained so much confidence in who I can be in the industry from that gathering every year.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

Tina Bhojwani, the co-founder and chief executive officer of luxury vegan footwear company Aera, has made it her business to build community around women.

In fact, when the designer and entrepreneur was looking for new investors, she set out in late 2022 to establish The Aera Family, a collective of 11 influential and impact-focused women funders with shared values and a long-term approach to growth who actively work to amplify the brand’s mission.

“These diverse perspectives are really helpful at this stage of my company,” Bhojwani told FN last year, when she announced the investor program. “The most important thing to me was being around like-minded people, so that they understand the materials I use and what it means to be a B Corp. When one traditionally raises money, investors don’t typically have that level of involvement and passion for the business, so this group of women allows me to grow the brand in a supportive way.”

For Bhojwani, launching Aera has been her “proudest” achievement so far in her career. “I’ve been fortunate to hold leadership roles and contribute to the success of iconic brands like Donna Karan, Theory and Dolce & Gabbana,” she said. “However, my proudest achievement is founding Aera and building it from the ground up, as well as keeping it afloat during the pandemic, which hit a couple of weeks after we launched. It has been fulfilling to blend my passion for fashion with a purpose-driven mission. Witnessing its growth and navigating the challenges has been a deeply rewarding journey.”

Along the way, Bhojwani said that she’s learned that failure is a part of the journey toward growth. One notable instance occurred when she didn’t fully trust her leadership instincts.

“This experience taught me a valuable lesson: to listen to my intuition and align my decisions with my core values,” Bhojwani said. “Reflecting on the situation, I was able to learn from my mistake and ultimately strengthen my decision-making process. This journey reinforced the importance of staying true to myself and the notion that challenges are opportunities for growth.”

Her message for other women looking to rise through the industry is to cultivate a broad range of skills. “Balancing business acumen with creativity (the art and the science) and cultivating strong relationships can help pave a path for success,” the leader noted. “Also, staying abreast of advancements in technology and AI and being adaptable to change, is also crucial for staying competitive and making an impact.”

Career growth can also be helped through mentorship, Bhojwani added. “A great mentor not only provides guidance and support, but also challenges you to push your boundaries and grow,” she said. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to have inspiring mentors in all of my former bosses, who significantly shaped my personal and professional development. They have shown me how to navigate challenges, seize opportunities and trust my instincts.”

Bhojwani credits Andrew Rosen, the founder of Theory, for helping her when she needed guidance. “Over my 14 years working under Andrew, I was deeply inspired by his unique ability to combine analytical thinking with creative intuition,” she said.

And even now, when Bhojwani is still focused on building her own brand, she finds it important to mentor young talent in the industry. “Mentoring future leaders is important to me as it allows me to give back and help the next generation succeed,” she added. “I enjoy leading teams by example and nurturing young people as they navigate their careers. It’s deeply rewarding to watch my mentees grow, gain confidence and achieve their goals.”

Five years from now, Bhojwani said she envisions making a significant positive impact in the fashion industry. “I believe in our collective responsibility to address social and environmental challenges constructively,” she said. “I’m committed to contributing to this mission with Aera and beyond.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

Building a successful career is a marathon, not a sprint, according to Stephanie Berg, Birkenstock USA’s senior director of sales for special accounts.

“In the earlier parts of my career, I was in a rush to take on more. It was a race to have more responsibility, have a more senior title and ultimately climb the company ladder,” she recalled. But moving too quickly brings dangerous risks. “If had taken on too much too fast, I would have failed.”

Instead, Berg has important advice for future footwear leaders: “I would tell anyone in this position to trust the process, build relationships, learn and be patient. When the time is right, the promotion or the responsibility will come.”

Berg has a track record to back up her wisdom. After holding early sales roles at Fila, Skechers and BBC International, Berg joined Birkenstock in 2010 and said she’s grown tremendously in the organization.

She credits that, in part, to mentors like David Kahan, CEO of Birkenstock Americas; and Sandra Colon, vice president of sales at the brand. “They have both been key contributors to my personal and professional growth over the last 10 years,” said Berg. “They have guided me, ensured I was set up for success and pushed me to be a great leader and a high performer.”

Berg, in turn, helps to further the growth of others, especially women, by serving on the advisory board of Two Ten Footwear Foundation’s Women in the Footwear Industry community. “Giving back what I have received in terms of mentorship is important to me. Watching others reach their career goals is rewarding,” she said.

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

“Determined, empathetic, dreamer.” Asking Giovanna Ceolini to define herself and her attitude toward life and work, one gets an optimistic trifecta of adjectives that conceal the many challenges she juggles day to day.

As entrepreneur at the helm of the Parabiago Collezioni footwear company she founded in 1999 with Karl Schlecht and Thierry Rabotin, Ceolini has to navigate tricky market conditions and find solutions to face the increasing competition in the shoe arena.

And as president of Assocalzaturifici — the Italian association of footwear companies — she must amplify the concerns of 500 firms and commit to further raise the profile of the made-in-Italy footwear industry, which generated more than 14 billion euros last year and averagely exports 85 percent of what it produces.

Yet the key challenge is to keep the sector productive, said Ceolini, pointing to the pandemic’s impact on the category and its current woes, encompassing the increasing costs of raw materials, transportation and logistics.

“At the same time, my focus is on accelerating the sector along the double binaries of sustainability and technological innovation, without forgetting the importance of professional training of younger people, who represent the generational change,” said Ceolini. “But my dual role allows me to better understand the needs of companies and therefore ensure that the association is proactive on multiple fronts.”

To this end, listening is paramount for Ceolini. “Leadership for me is the ability to authoritatively guide a team, empowering all members and sharing the same strategy,” she said. “Of course, corrective measures are a must, so a good leader is someone who has a great ability to listen and is able to get the best out of the people around her and with whom she establishes a relationship of trust and loyalty.”

While Ceolini acknowledged that an increasing number of women are finally getting to the top posts of businesses and organizations in the industry, she underscored the importance of collective work in raising awareness around the gender pay gap. She encouraged fellow women looking to make a career in this business to “take a bold leap of courage, commit and work hard for a wonderful sector that embodies the made-in-Italy creativity and craftsmanship.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

Melanie Harris has climbed the corporate ladder at Nike Inc. over the past five years, holding multiple leadership positions before landing the vice president and general manager role at Jordan Brand North America in January 2023. Having found success with the athletic giant, the exec is quick to offer valuable advice for other women who are also rising through the industry.

“In today’s fast-paced, dynamic world, being confident in and true to who you are has never been more powerful,” Harris said. “If you can be like a deeply rooted tree, flexible to adjust to temporary winds but committed to what’s right, you will always be valued as a leader and resource.”

Harris also said its critical for people to learn how to advocate for themselves, and that self-care should be a priority. “If you take care of yourself, you will bring your best self,” she said.

Aside from her role at Jordan Brand, the exec also values her role as a mentor and believes it is her responsibility to elevate others. Harris is able to serve as a mentor to others because of the lessons she learned from her grandmother.

“Any time that I doubt my ability to achieve a goal, I summon up the strength that my grandmother, who is now in her late 90s, used to bring her small children to this country decades ago to realize a dream and set a legacy that few believed she could,” Harris said. “Her determination and grit to defy the odds, and her love for so many, are the exact attributes I seek to bring to any challenge, and what I hope others will think of me one day.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.

Bloomingdale’s chief merchant Denise Magid said the 150-year-old department store “has only just begun to tap into our full potential.”

“I take immense pride in the evolution we’ve undergone in recent years,” Magid said. “We’ve enhanced our assortments, fortified our point of view and curation, and elevated both our digital and physical experience. Shoes have been pivotal to our growth, embodying our distinctive market positioning from accessible to aspirational. Continuously expanding our brand offerings remains a priority, and we remain dedicated to infusing excitement into our customer experience through immersive pop-ups and activations. The journey has been remarkable.”

Magid began her retail career in the Lord & Taylor executive training program. She joined Saks Fifth Avenue in 2003 as buyer of evening collections and progressed in successive merchandising roles, becoming senior vice president and general merchandise manager of women’s ready-to-wear, outerwear, dresses, private label and kids.

In that role, Magid led the team through an integration following the acquisition by HBC. She also introduced the first concession model in contemporary sportswear and refocused the business on core and emerging brands. In 2015, she became chief merchant for Intermix but left a year later to start DVMagid Consulting, where she gained valuable experience working with both international and domestic brands.

In January 2019, Magid joined Bloomingdale’s as the general merchandise manager of ready-to-wear, Bloomingdales.com and concessions. In 2021, she added responsibility for outlets and center core. And in 2023 was promoted to chief merchant.

“Working and leading at Bloomingdale’s is a uniquely rewarding experience,” Magid said. “There is a rich 150-year history and authentic energy that really defines not only the shopping experience for customers but also our internal workplace. I take immense pride in being a part of this team, guiding Bloomingdale’s into its next chapter and nurturing this distinctive environment. As a female leader, mentoring young talent is not just a responsibility, but a privilege. Guiding the next generation has been one of the most fulfilling roles I’ve had the honor of embracing.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.