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BLAZE. INNOVATE. GROW.
Join us for a day of learning and meaningful connection as we bring together industry leaders, changemakers, and rising talent.
Together, we'll share tools, forge connections, and drive the industrywide change we all seek.
SPONSORED BY
September 25, 2025
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Microsoft HQ, 11 Times Square, NYC
Join us for a day of learning and meaningful connection as we bring together industry leaders, changemakers, and rising talent.
Together, we'll share tools, forge connections, and drive the industrywide change we all seek.
Elevate your brand, connect with a passionate audience, and support a powerful cause.
featuring
SPECIAL GUEST
SUNNY HOSTIN
CO-HOST OF THE VIEW & BESTSELLING AUTHOR
AWARDS
We end the day celebrating trailblazers, innovators, and brilliant business leaders who exemplify our mission!
BLAZE AWARD
Celebrates trailblazers who courageously break through barriers and chart unique paths to success.
These honorees demonstrate exceptional leadership through their ability to overcome challenges, make bold moves, and create lasting change. Recipients of this award have also extended their influence to build pathways for others, connecting fellow professionals and serving as beacons for those ready to rise in their careers.
INNOVATE AWARD
Recognizes visionary individuals or teams who stand at the forefront of retail's evolution by embracing cutting-edge technologies and emerging trends.
These forward-thinking leaders have demonstrated the power of creative thinking and driven meaningful change within their organizations or the broader industry.
GROW AWARD
Honors those who exemplify the transformation of potential into unstoppable momentum through their commitment to personal and professional development.
These recipients have cultivated the leaderships skills, strategic mindset, and industry expertise for exceptional career growth while simultaneously lifting others.
B.I.G. AWARD
Honors those who have broken barriers, championed innovative approaches, and fostered significant personal and professional growth for themselves and others.
Recipients of this prestigious award have made transformative contributions that advance WOCRA's vision to elevate women of color, diversify the C-suite, and transform the industry.
RECIPIENTS
B.I.G. AWARD
BRANDICE DANIEL
HARLEM'S FASHION ROW
SPEAKERS
CEO
Women of Color Retail Alliance
In Conversation with Sunny Hostin: Resilience, Representation & the Power of Your Story
Co-Host & Bestselling Author
The View
In Conversation with Sunny Hostin: Resilience, Representation & the Power of Your Story
Timicka Anderson
Global Industry Head Consumer & Retail Commercial Banking
Citi
Success, Redefined: Winning on Our Own Terms
Global Head of Private Capital Practice
Egon Zehnder
The Shift: Power Moves & Career Pivots
CO-FOUNDER
LumiNicole Beauty
Retail Reimagined: Building the Future of Immersive, Location-Driven Retail
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TIFFANY BURNS
Senior Partner
McKinsey & Company
State of Women of Color in Retail
FOUNDER & CEO
Emerald & Rose Consulting
Work Like You Rested: Work/Rest Integration as a Burnout Prevention Strategy
FASHION BUSINESS JOURNALIST
The Joy of Missing Out: Designing a Life That Reflects Your Values
FOUNDER & CEO
Little Words Project
Tackling the Loneliness Epidemic & Creating Connection at Work
Partner, National Retail Leader, WOCRA BOARD MEMBER
EY
Boardroom Bound: Pathways to Purpose, Power & Pay
Chief People Officer & EVP, WOCRA BOARD MEMBER
Signet Jewelers
The Shift: Power Moves & Career Pivots
Group Vice President
Bath & Body Works
Retail Reimagined: Building the Future of Immersive, Location-Driven Retail
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PRINCIPAL & AUTHOR
MG2 & The Purpose Pivot
The Joy of Missing Out: Designing a Life That Reflects Your Values
Gabrielle Gayagoy Gonzalez
Co-Author
Racial Justice at Work: Practical Solutions for Systemic Change
Success, Redefined: Winning on Our Own Terms
CO-CEO, WOCRA BOARD MEMBER
PATTERN Beauty
Boardroom Bound: Pathways to Purpose, Power & Pay
Commercial Retail and Lounge Operations Manager
LaGuardia Gateway Partners
Retail Reimagined: Building the Future of Immersive, Location-Driven Retail
NICOLE REBOE
CEO
Rich Talent Group
The Shift: Power Moves & Career Pivots
CO-FOUNDER
LumiNicole Beauty
Retail Reimagined: Building the Future of Immersive, Location-Driven Retail
CEO at Gamut Management
Founder of the Runway of Dreams Foundation
Success, Redefined: Winning on Our Own Terms
Founder & Chief Growth Catalyst & WOCRA Board Member
A New Thing Coaching & Consulting, LLC
The Shift: Power Moves & Career Pivots
TABITHA STROBEL
Associate Partner
McKinsey & Company
State of Women of Color in Retail
TRACKS
SELF-CARE & RESILIENCE
You can’t pour from an empty cup. This track will help you reconnect with your purpose, manage burnout, and address the very real impact of loneliness—so you can lead from a place of strength, not survival.
Sessions
The Joy of Missing Out: Designing a Life That Reflects Your Values
Work LIke You Rested: Work/Rest Integration as a Burnout Prevention Strategy
Tackling the Loneliness Epidemic & Creating Connection at Work
EXCLUSIVE POP-UP EXPERIENCES
EXECUTIVE COACHING
Strategic Guidance for Your Next Level
Seize the rare opportunity to connect one-on-one with our roster of elite executive coaches who typically work exclusively with C-suite leaders at Fortune 500 companies. These transformative sessions are designed for mid-to-senior-level professionals.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE
Private 10-Minute Strategy Sessions
Personalized Leadership Assessment
Connection Opportunities
MARKETPLACE
Discover Retail's Next Wave
Discover our carefully curated showcase of innovative brands founded by women of color, reshaping the retail landscape with fresh perspectives and unique offerings.
WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER
Exclusive Product Previews from emerging brands before they hit mainstream channels
Potential Partnerships for retailers seeking to diversify their product assortments
Investment Opportunities in the next generation of retail disruptors
PERSONAL BRAND
ELEVATE YOUR PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE
Transform your professional image and make a lasting impression with our comprehensive Personal Brand Experience. We guide you through discovering your unique personal style, refining your presence, and showing up authentically and confidently in every room you enter.
WHAT YOU'LL RECIEVE
Professional Headshot Session
Pro-Artist Makeup Refresh
LinkedIn Profile Audit
AI/TECH EDUCATION CERTIFICATION
Explore the power of AI in today’s workplace through hands-on sessions designed to demystify emerging technologies. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to apply AI in real-world scenarios, this track will equip you with the tools and confidence to lead in the future of work.
Sessions
Overview
Prompt-a-thon
Functional Application
Sessions
Applied AI For Leaders
Master Mindset
AI Foundations: Tools, Trends & Trust
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
This track is all about leveling up. From navigating the path to the boardroom to making bold career pivots, you’ll hear from trailblazers who are redefining leadership and creating space for others to rise.
Sessions
Boardroom Bound: Pathways to Purpose, Power & Pay
Success, Redefined: Winning on Our Own Terms.
The Shift: Power Moves & Career Pivots
We are still working on more magic!
Check back for more details.
EXECUTIVE COACHING
Strategic Guidance for Your Next Level
Seize the rare opportunity to connect one-on-one with our roster of elite executive coaches who typically work exclusively with C-suite leaders at Fortune 500 companies. These transformative sessions are designed for mid-to-senior-level professionals.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE
Private 10-Minute Strategy Sessions
Personalized Leadership Assessment
Connection Opportunities
AI/TECH EDUCATION CERTIFICATION
Explore the power of AI in today’s workplace through hands-on sessions designed to demystify emerging technologies. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to apply AI in real-world scenarios, this track will equip you with the tools and confidence to lead in the future of work.
Sessions
Applied AI For Leaders
Master Mindset
AI Foundations: Tools, Trends & Trust
Sessions
Overview
Prompt-a-thon
Functional Application
MARKETPLACE
Discover Retail's Next Wave
Discover our carefully curated showcase of innovative brands founded by women of color, reshaping the retail landscape with fresh perspectives and unique offerings.
WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER
Exclusive Product Previews from emerging brands before they hit mainstream channels
Potential Partnerships for retailers seeking to diversify their product assortments
Investment Opportunities in the next generation of retail disruptors
SELF-CARE AND RESILIENCE
You can’t pour from an empty cup. This track will help you reconnect with your purpose, manage burnout, and address the very real impact of loneliness—so you can lead from a place of strength, not survival.
Sessions
The Joy of Missing Out: Designing a Life that Reflects Your Values
Work LIke You Rested: Work/Rest Integration as a Burnout Prevention Strategy
Tackling the Loneliness Epidemic: Creting Connection at Work
EXCLUSIVE POP-UP EXPERIENCES
We are still working on more magic!
Check back for more details.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
This track is all about leveling up. From navigating the path to the boardroom to making bold career pivots, you’ll hear from trailblazers who are redefining leadership and creating space for others to rise.
Sessions
Boardroom Bound: Pathways to Purpose, Power, & Play
Beyond the Title: Real Talk on Success
The Shift: Power Moves & Career Pivots
CREDITS
Co-Producer: Lydia Smith, A New Thing Coaching & Consulting, LLC
Consulting Producer: Gabrielle Gayagoy Gonzalez, 3G Collaborative LLC
Digital Marketing: Rina Malonzo, Tink Tank Studio
PR & Marketing: Arionne Nettles, Bea & Baby Media
Social Media Specialist: Alexis Robinson
DJ: Jonathan Minor
Logistics Team: Bernardine Wu, Raquel Wall, Lisa R. Bannister
WOCRA Volunteers: Alice Kim, Aly Lee, Amrita Dutta-Gupta, Amy Schecter, Anita Smith, Grace Correy, Dr. Ilka Jordan-Whitaker, Jennifer Peterson, Karen Cho, Kristina Lopez, Melanie Lau, Michelle Toledo
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