Five Questions with Tacey Powers

Tacey Powers is the EVP and GMM of Shoes, Accessories, Home, and Kids at Nordstrom and this year's recipient of the WIFI Impact Award at Two Ten’s annual gala. Throughout her four decades at Nordstrom, Powers has become known for uplifting and supporting those around her. She is a frequent speaker at WIFI events and has been a trusted mentor to countless women. 

1. What's the best career advice you've ever received? 

Work harder than the person next to you — and make sure they know you care. Early in my career, someone told me that talent gets you in the room, but effort and genuine relationships are what keep you there. I've held onto that. No matter the role I’ve risen to in my career, I never want to be the person who phones it in. Show up fully, do the work, and people will notice. 

Lead with kindness, always. The shoe world is a small place, and the industry is even smaller. You will be amazed how many times your path crosses with the same people, in ways you never expected. How you treat people on the way up matters just as much as anything on your resume. You will never regret kindness.  

2. Who has been an important mentor in your journey and what's a lesson from them you still carry today? 

I've been lucky to have many great mentors throughout my career at Nordstrom — each one leaving me with something lasting. "Dress for the job you want tomorrow." "Do things that stretch you and make you uncomfortable." "Work harder than the person next to you." But the advice that shaped me most came in a moment I wasn't living up to my potential. 

I was working on a big growth strategy with a brand and brought it to Jack Minuk, [former Nordstrom executive] to discuss. He looked at me and said, "Sometimes you operate in Ready, Shoot, Aim." I was crushed — but I quickly realized he was right. There were real holes in my thinking, and I was charging ahead anyway. That moment made something clear: if I wanted to grow, I needed to build my strategic muscle and earn my leaders' trust by thinking carefully through outcomes and contingencies before I moved. It's a lesson I still draw on every time I'm tempted to move fast before I'm truly ready.  

3. What's a moment that significantly shaped how you lead today? 

The leaders I respected most were always honest with me. You can't grow if you don't know. And there's something deeply caring about feedback that makes you better, even when it's hard to hear. 

I lead as a truth teller. More times than I can count, someone has come back to me and said, "Do you remember what you told me?" and I hold my breath every time. It’s usually always followed by, “That made a real difference in my career." And that tells me everything. Honest, transparent feedback is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone. It signals that you believe in their potential and you’re willing to help them get there. If you're not receiving that kind of feedback, seek it out and don’t wait for it to find you.   

4. What advice would you give to women earlier in their careers in footwear today? 

Don't wait until you feel ready – get comfortable being uncomfortable. Some of the best opportunities I've had came before I felt fully prepared, and that's exactly the point. Stretch assignments, high-visibility projects, rooms where you feel like the least experienced person there — those are the places where you grow the fastest. 

I'd also say: build your personal board of directors and be intentional about who's on it. You need a mentor who opens doors and shares hard-won lessons. A sponsor who advocates for you when you're not in the room. A truth teller who thinks differently and pushes your assumptions. An outsider, someone from a completely different industry who calls out your jargon and challenges your blind spots. And a peer at your same level who keeps it real with no filter. The footwear industry is small, and the relationships you build early will show up again and again throughout your career. Invest in people genuinely, not transactionally, and let them invest in you.  

5. What's one way you try to actively support women in your organization or industry? 

This may sound simple, but I check in. I mentor women across our company and the broader industry, and when I'm with them, I really try to listen. It’s not about just listening to the work stuff; the personal stuff is equally as important – both matter.  

I'll randomly send a note, set up time, or stop by someone's desk just to let them know I'm thinking about them. If someone has something big coming up like a presentation, a meeting, a speech, I reach out and ask if they'd like feedback or just offer to be a sounding board. It's always good to know you have someone who is in your corner. That's what I try to be.