WOC Retail Alliance®

We're thrilled to share the success of our recent focus group sessions, commissioned by The Women's Fund of Central Ohio. We brought together members of WOC Retail Alliance® Columbus, Ohio, for meaningful discussions on the professional landscape for women and the persisting pay wealth gap. Key Highlights: • Insightful focus group sessions exploring challenges and opportunities for women in the workplace • Vibrant networking fostering new connections and collaborations during our We Should Know Each Other ® event • Delicious cuisine provided by our food sponsor, Dos Hermanos - thank you, Lisa Gutierrez, for your support! The evening crescendoed with the exciting preview of our 'Pathways to Resiliency' program - a collaboration between WOC Retail Alliance® and Ellie Mental Health. About Pathways to Resiliency: This comprehensive six-session program is designed to enhance resilience for women of color in corporate settings. Participants will gain practical tools to navigate professional challenges, develop personalized self-care strategies, and foster growth across various life areas. The enthusiasm was palpable—by the end of the night, seven out of ten spots in our inaugural cohort were filled! Limited Spots Remaining: Don't miss your chance to be part of this transformative journey starting September 12th. Apply now for one of the last three spots and receive a special $1000 discount off the $1800 program price. Invest in your personal and professional growth. Join us in creating pathways to success and well-being for women of color in the professional world. Apply now: https://lnkd.in/gH639_f7 #WomenEmpowerment #MentalHealth #ProfessionalDevelopment #PathwaysToResiliency #weshouldknoweachother Lisa Gutierrez Kelley GriesmerJyothi Vourganti CherryDave CherryKimberly Lee MinorAlice Mills Mai, LMHC, LPCC-S, NCC

Exciting news! WOC Retail Alliance® and Ellie Mental Health - Columbus OH  are joining forces to launch "Pathways to Resilience," an innovative program created by women of color for women of color to support and empower our community. Through a series of 6 bi-weekly in-person sessions starting September 12th in Columbus. Our small cohort size ensures privacy and personalized attention for each participant. 🗓️ Interested in learning more? Join us for a preview event: Date: August 20 Time: 6:30 PM Location: CoHatch, Easton https://lnkd.in/ePftEWAN Ready to take the next step towards resilience? ✅ Complete our interest form: https://lnkd.in/edBAyj8Z Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your mental health and personal growth. Let's do this together! #MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #Resilience #PersonalGrowth

WOC Retail Alliance® presents Networking meets Mental Health. Join us to preview "Pathways to Resiliency" with Ellie Mental Health. Dave Cherry Jyothi Vourganti Cherry Jennifer Peterson, Karen Cho Lydia Smith, MBA

If you are Columbus-based, we invite you to participate in a one-hour in-person focus group to share your experiences and perspectives. By joining, you'll help ensure that WOCRA’s and the Women's Fund's initiatives are grounded in real-world experiences and guided by true experts – women themselves. PLEASE JOIN US. #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomenempower #weshouldknoweachother Kelley Griesmer The Women's Fund of Central Ohio Kimberly Lee Minor Jennifer Peterson Karen Cho Lydia Smith, MBA

MEET THE BOARD THURSDAY, Ilka Jordan, Treasuer ✨ Driven by a passion for innovation and business excellence, Ilka Jordan is a distinguished multipreneur with over 25 years of experience as a business strategist and technology transformation executive. Ilka specializes in developing tailored strategies that drive growth and create a lasting impact across various industries. Ilka is the visionary founder and CEO of the Jordan Alliance Group (JAG), a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) consultancy. JAG is dedicated to driving transformational change and achieving profitable results through management consulting and learning initiatives in the retail industry. In addition to her role at JAG, Ilka is a trusted real estate advisor and Fractional COO at DEW Investment Group. She leverages her expertise to identify strategic investment opportunities, corporate and vacation rental, and renovation projects. Ilka also excels as an e-commerce proprietor of Ruby Rosette, an online consignment shop specializing in the resale of home furnishings and decor. Ilka’s diverse interests and talents enrich both her personal and professional life. Living in Florida with her husband and their two poodles, Dewy and Brooklyn, she enjoys traveling, golfing, interior custom design, and furniture upcycling. Her unique perspective and creative pursuits reflect her innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, intriguing those who meet her. Ilka Jordan’s pursuit of a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) exemplifies her commitment to continuous learning and academic excellence. Her diverse roles—including Consultant, Strategist, Certified Change Management Practitioner, Nonprofit Board Member, Academia Advisory Board Member, Certified SCORE Mentor and Co-Chair of DEIA Initiatives, Speaker, and Adjunct Professor—highlight her dedication to education, mentorship, and professional development. #weshouldknoweachother #wocinretail #WOCleaders #closingthegaps #wocinbusiness #empoweredwomenempower #boardofdirectors #inclusionmatters

MEET THE BOARD MONDAY: Michelle T. , Board Director Michelle is an accomplished leader who blends deep business experience with a commitment to social impact. With a career spanning decades in the U.S. and Asia, she has demonstrated transformative leadership in both established corporations and innovative startups. She made her mark in fashion with significant roles at iconic brands like David Yurman, Coach, and Jewelmer, driving strategic growth and large-scale operational improvements. At Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK), she helped scale the Feed Back program, which secured food and income for thousands of farmers and fisherfolk in the developing world. As a board member of the Women of Color Retail Alliance (WOCRA), she champions diversity and inclusion in retail. Michelle also shares her industry knowledge and mentors emerging business leaders as a graduate instructor at her alma mater, The Wharton School. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, she leads strategy and operations in her real estate and business ventures, driving profitable growth while staying committed to doing good and doing well. #weshouldknoweachother #wocinretail #WOCleaders #closingthegaps #wocinbusiness #empoweredwomenempower #boardofdirectors #inclusionmatters

Are you interested in building your public speaking skills? This Boot camp is what you’re looking for. Kenston Henderson Sr., CSP® , a former Bumbershoot Group trainer is captivating speaker and sharing his knowledge. #publicspeaking #effectivecommunication #leadership

Congratulations Cora Spearman 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 We are very proud of you. Your hard work is paying off in multiples! #wocinretail National Retail Federation #sustainablefashion

Exciting times for WOC Retail Alliance! Just wrapped up an energizing meeting planning our expansion into Montreal. The enthusiasm and ideas shared by our team and new partners have me more inspired than ever about our mission to support and elevate women of color in retail. As we grow, we're committed to fostering innovation, building meaningful connections, and creating opportunities across borders. Stay tuned for updates as we work to make this expansion a reality, bring you exciting new programs and so much more! The future of retail is diverse, inclusive, and full of potential. #weshouldknoweachother #wocinretail #global

MEET THE BOARD MONDAY: Karen Cho, Board Director ✨ Karen is a Chief Human Resources Officer with over 25 years of HR and operational experience. Karen actively influences organizational change, developing and implementing innovative strategies that fuel business objectives while attracting, engaging, developing and retaining high talent. As Chief Human Resources Officer for Designer Brands, a $3B retail and wholesale footwear company, Karen led the global HR and Communications teams through multiple acquisitions and tremendous change. She transformed traditional HR departments into value-adding business partners contributing to bottom-line organizational success. Karen started her career as a Merchant with May Department Stores, and made the transition to Human Resources when joining Apple to help build their new retail organization. During 11 years with Apple, Karen led various Talent Acquisition teams and initiatives while developing many of the strategies and processes that helped Apple Retail scale to over 400 stores in 5 countries. Karen is currently an advisory board member of Wayside, building the next generation of AI to assist the HR functions of large companies. Karen also serves on the board of directors for Women of Color Retail Alliance, an organization that develops and promotes a robust network of ready-now executive talent, supporting industry employers seeking true representation and inclusion. Karen is a graduate of Indiana University Kelley School of Business. #empoweredwomenempower #weshouldknoweachother #inclusionmatters #boardofdirectors #closingthegaps #wocinretail