Rising to the Challenge

Even as every aspect of life and work was upended during the past few months, these 20 unstoppable women stepped into crisis management roles, launched new ventures and rallied for change.

Amid the pandemic, female leaders have stepped up to launch ventures and rally for change.

ALL IN FOR TWO TEN

When Debbie Ferrée took the reins of Two Ten as board chairman last year, the industry was already undergoing dramatic evolution: Big bankruptcies and store closings dominated the headlines. Consolidation continued. And the charity organization was on the hunt for a new executive leader. “There was so much change happening as we talked about Two Tenʼs future,” the vice chairman and president of Designer Brands recalled. Just a few months later, the pandemic hit and aid requests soared, prompting the group to double down on its original mission. “Two Ten was founded for this moment,” Ferrée said. She is steering the organization — with a board of top industry leaders and CEO Shawn Osborne — as it aims to raise $5 million more to meet demand. “Iʼm so proud of how weʼve all come together — and in Shawn, I feel like we got the best nonprofit leader out there.”

MARIA’S MISSION

Maria Jose Valdez Vasquez, Pumaʼs senior head of product line management, leads a team with 13 nationalities who are based in three different locations. So itʼs no surprise that the coronavirus pandemic presented unique obstacles. “In a multicultural environment, individuals had different information, interpretations, and their families were affected differently depending on their origin and location, which we could not ignore,” Vasquez said. During this time, she explained, communication was vital in ensuring business ran smoothly, which allowed employees to identify their concerns and uncover the things they could do to make a positive difference. Vasquez also reflected on the steps business leaders can take to support diverse leadership amid the global response to racial injustice. “The key is to understand how diversity brings bigger opportunities. Companies should encourage leaders to build teams with different backgrounds and skill sets,” Vasquez said. “The challenge comes in how to create the best atmosphere and the right culture to leverage their differences. Companies should celebrate those differences, respect them and give value to them.”

DESTINATION NYC While the New York retail scene has been shut down for several months, a number of big names are still making notable moves in the Big Apple, including Manolo Blahnik. CEO Kristina Blahnik, a former architect, is one of the masterminds behind a new flagship on Madison Avenue, set to open later this year. “New York is the city where Manoloʼs journey began. An incredible brand has been built, and remembering our history is fundamental to look forward,” Blahnik said. THE EVOLUTION

Jennet Chow, the Asian-American founder of Evolution Design Lab, grew up under the tutelage of her parents, who owned Prima Royale Enterprises. “They told me that it was important to have a Caucasian business partner to bridge the cultural gap into corporate America,” she recalled. “Today, I confidently know that my team and I are the bridge between Asia and the U.S. The environment is very different from my parentsʼ era.” Now with her husband and team, Chow is repositioning her own business, while working for change. “Only through social inclusion can we expand diversity. I strongly believe our industry is progressive and willing to adapt — it just needs a catalyst for change,” she said.

MELISSA’S WORTH

New Balance has aggressively pursued a greater stake in the marketʼs most influential categories in recent years. However, its approach to working from home is far more