WHY IT MATTERS

Footwear execs reflect on why the shoe industry remains committed to the breast cancer cause.

“I remember when the shoe industry came together 25 years ago to host the first Shoes on Sale. There was so much camaraderie. From that day forward, we never looked back. I don’t know of any other industry that has come together this way.” — ANNA BAKST, president and CEO, Kate Spade New York “MY FAVORITE PART OF SHOES ON SALE IS SEEING THE INDUSTRY BAND TOGETHER TO RAISE MONEY FOR SUCH AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE. SHOES ON SALE IS THAT SPECIAL TIME WHEN COMPETITORS COME TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON CAUSE.” — MARC FISHER, founder and CEO, Marc Fisher Footwear “Shoes on Sale was ahead of its time, providing a creative way for consumers to engage in an important cause. Pure and simple, breast cancer has impacted everyone — including my mom. And for an industry so focused on female consumers, it’s a no-brainer to support an issue so important to women.” — MATT PRIEST, president and CEO, Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America “ONE OF THINGS I LOVE MOST ABOUT THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY IS ITS PASSION FOR GIVING BACK. WHILE WE MAY BE COMPETITORS, THE FACT THAT WE JOIN FORCES TO RAISE MONEY FOR SUCH A GREAT CAUSE IS SOMETHING I’M VERY PROUD OF. IF OUR INDUSTRY CAN PLAY ONE SMALL PART IN MOVING CLOSER TO FINDING A CURE FOR BREAST CANCER, IT WILL BE A TREMENDOUS LEGACY FOR OUR PEOPLE.” — DIANE SULLIVAN, president, CEO and chairman, Caleres Inc. “This industry has legendary designers and influential people. It is so important to leverage these relationships and address an issue of paramount concern not only to our customers but to our communities. The impact FFANY has made on breast cancer research and education has helped save so many lives these last 25 years — I can only imagine what the next few years might bring.” — MIKE GEORGE, president and CEO, Qurate Retail Group