Two Ten Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI)
Co-founded by industry leaders and Two Ten Board Members Diane Sullivan and Carol Baiocchi, Two Ten Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) provides an important forum for women to connect, support each other and share information while growing their professional networks.
Two Ten Footwear Foundation provides hardship and crisis relief and counseling services to thousands of industry employees and their families every year –– and 70% of those we help are women. During the Covid pandemic, single mothers in particular experienced unprecedented health, economic, and caregiving challenges, underscoring the reality that a major crisis amplifies gender inequality. This is why the Two Ten WIFI community is more important than ever to women in our industry.
Join the Two Ten WIFI Community
Two Ten WIFI has never been more relevant, and you’re invited to join this 4,000-member (and growing), nationwide community. Click on the link below to join our mailing list and you’ll receive news, information, and event updates. Be sure to follow us on social media, too!
Past WIFI Events
The panelists included Rosalind Reeves, VP of talent, diversity and organizational capabilities at Foot Locker; Michelle Marshall, head of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Puma; Tracey McLeod, CEO / founder of TIEM; and April Dinwoodie, independent consultant. The conversation was moderated by Susan Im, senior director of HR partnerships at Caleres.
If you missed it, check out Footwear News’ event review or watch the video replay.
Over 500 women and men from across the globe logged in to their computers to participate in Two Ten WIFI’s event – Staying Connected, a virtual conversation with industry leaders.
WIFI Relaunches to Record-Breaking Numbers – Two Ten Blog
Top Execs from Nordstrom, Crocs and Dick’s Get Candid About Pandemic Lessons on Two Ten’s WIFI Panel – Footwear News
Over one hundred female and male industry colleagues gathered in the beautiful Women’s Footwear Lounge space in the middle of the FN Platform show floor to celebrate and honor footwear industry leaders for their contributions towards female leadership. Terry Solis, President of Sales Group, Marc Fisher Footwear, was honored with the Leadership Award. For their support and commitment to female leadership, The ALDO Group was honored with the Advancement Award. Kathy Forstadt, Director of Casual Women’s Footwear at Zappos, received the Community Award for her commitment to the WIFI program, both regionally and nationally.
Two Ten WIFI and Footwear News joined forces to present an evening of celebration at the Women Who Rock event in New York City. The event, which took place at the gorgeous NeueHouse penthouse on 25th Street, featured two powerful speaking programs and entertained a sold-out audience of 240 women and men.
The evening began with a conversation between entrepreneurs, designers and long-time friends, Tory Burch and Tabitha Simmons. The pair spoke on where they find inspiration, the challenges of balancing motherhood and business, and mission of the Tory Burch Foundation, which supports female entrepreneurs.
Then, six talented women on the Breaking Through panel took the stage for a roundtable discussion. Dr. Valerie Steele of the Museum at F.I.T. was joined on stage by Molly Adams of Famous Footwear, Joelle Grunberg of Lacoste, Brandis Russell of Converse, Kirta Carroll of Foot Locker, and Angela Medlin of FAAS x Pensole to discuss pivotal career moments, the challenge of creating a balance between work and family, and how finding mentors, both male and female, is important in the workplace.
Two Ten WIFI & Footwear News Celebrate Annual Women Who Rock Event – Two Ten Blog
Showcased in the pink-and-black-and-chandeliered Cosmo Lounge in the middle of the FN Platform show floor, more than 200 footwear colleagues came together to honor and celebrate six incredible women in the industry at the Second Annual WIFI Impact Awards. WIFI co-founders Carol Baiocchi and Diane Sullivan shared hosting responsibilities.
Wendy Wood Yang, President of Deckers brands HOKA, Teva & Sanuk, was honored with the WIFI Advancement Award.
WIFI Leadership Award honorees from Steve Madden, Amelia Newton Varela, President; Gabriella Weiser, VP of Marketing; and Karla Frieders, Chief Merchandising Officer, have been the force behind the company’s growing success.
Alison Prince, Nordstrom VP Divisional Merchandise Manager, Full Price Women’s Active and Kids’ Shoes and Chair of the Seattle WIFI Committee, received the WIFI Community Award.
