Celebrating Footwear's Women Who Rock

Welcome back to FN Daily, where we break down the biggest stories happening in footwear and retail.

Today, we're taking a look at our “Women Who Rock” special section from our June 5 print issue of FN. This annual feature celebrates female leaders who are shaking up the footwear industry with vision and tenacity.

By the way: FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will also honor these women at a live event in New York City on June 7, benefiting Two Ten’s WIFI scholarship.

Here's a look at some women who rock in the footwear industry:

Altra President Jen McLaren on How She Intends to Lead the Fast-Growing Running Shoe Brand

Jen McLaren assumed control of?Altra?only two months ago, and her goals for the early days at the helm are simple: connect, listen and learn.

“My first 30-60 days?is focused on meeting with the team and broader community as much as possible,” said McLaren, who was Smartwool’s brand president prior to earning the same title at Altra in April. “I like to jump right in, ask open-ended questions and learn so I can build trust, make informed decisions and empower the team.”

McLaren,?who also assumed?the GM of VF North America key accounts role, offered insight into how she intends to lead the fast-growing running and outdoor shoe brand. “My style is less traditional and less aggressive than what you typically see in the business world,” McLaren said. “I am direct and transparent, while also being more inclusive and empowering to the team around me. I believe in actions and results rather than style as a proof point for success.”

Hey Dude’s Kelly Cortina on?‘Finding Comfort in the Discomfort’

Kelly Cortina might work at a comfort-focused footwear company, but she says she has learned to embrace the discomfort that comes along with achieving professional and personal ambitions.

“The learning curve and discomfort that comes with change, uncertainty, and new environments is always a tough hurdle to overcome, but I believe that is when the most personal growth happens,” said Cortina, who joined the?Crocs?Inc.-owned?Hey Dude?brand as SVP & chief product and merchandising officer last July.

Before?Hey Dude, Cortina held roles at VF Corp.,?Under Armour?and Abercrombie and Fitch and said that her experiences as a working mom and female executive in the footwear space has informed her professional mantra. Overall, she said she operates with a “progress-over-perfection mentality” to help her get outside her comfort zone and accomplish new goals.

How Nordstrom DEI Leader Colleen Mitchell Takes a People-First Approach

As the head of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at?Nordstrom, Colleen Mitchell is always thinking about how to uplift other women — both in her company and network.

“Supporting other women is so important to me,” said Mitchell, who?joined Nordstrom?in August and reports to the company’s HR chief?Farrell Redwine. “It’s both a privilege and a responsibility that as my platform increases, I use that influence to amplify the work of others.”

Mitchell, who previously served as the head of?DEI?at Petco and held a similar role in Amazon’s global customer fulfillment division, said maintaining strong relationships with her colleagues and partners at Nordstrom helps her be a strong and supportive leader.

Need more shoe news?

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• Analyst: People Still Want to Buy Yeezys, Despite Controversy
• How LGBTQ Pride Month Collection Campaigns Are Creating Safe Spaces
• Allison Gettings on Being Red Wing Shoe’s First Female CEO

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