She Steps Up: Manoela Varga

Introducing She Steps Up, a new monthly recognition series that shines a light on women in the footwear industry. The theme for our first spotlight is Emerging Leaders and our first spotlight centers on Manoela Varga, a Merchandise Planner at Shoe Carnival! 

Manoela Varga

Title: Men’s Non-Athletic and Work Product Planner 

Company: Shoe Station/Shoe Carnival 

Tenure in Industry: 3 - 5 years 

Why she was nominated:  

“I am nominating Manoela because she embodies resilience, leadership, and collaboration. From running a retail store in Brazil to immigrating, earning her U.S. citizenship, and advancing quickly at Shoe Station/Shoe Carnival, her journey is defined by dedication and perseverance. Through her exceptional work ethic, she has earned a leadership role as a planner, spearheading a critical team that drives success across men’s work, casual, and seasonal categories. She uplifts those around her by setting a strong example and inspiring others to achieve their best. 

I had the privilege of training Manoela as my buying assistant and have had the joy of watching her skills and knowledge grow into her current role as a Planner for Men’s Work and Non-Athletic. It’s a big job, and she has stepped into it with impressive ability and confidence. 

She has a passion for creating compelling product assortments that truly resonate with customers. She thrives in an ever-changing environment and embraces challenges, seeing each new difficulty as an opportunity to grow and make a greater impact.”

-Jeff Johnston, Buyer, Men’s Dress, Sandals, & Non-Work
Boots for Shoe Carnival, Shoe Station, Rogan’s Shoes 

Nominate a Colleague or Friend

Our next spotlight theme is: “Culture Champions: Women fostering culture, DEI, collaboration, or community support.” If someone comes to mind, please consider nominating them, or yourself, using the form below. 

Nominate here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7WVTZ5X 

The deadline to submit is Oct 14. 

About She Steps Up:  

She Steps Up is a new monthly recognition series from Two Ten’s WIFI Community that shines a light on women in the footwear industry whose leadership, creativity, and impact are shaping our community in meaningful ways. Whether they are driving innovation, mentoring others, making bold moves, or doing the often unseen work that keeps teams strong, these are the stories worth celebrating. 

Each month, the series will feature individuals from across the industry who exemplify leadership, collaboration, and community. Nominations are welcome across all roles, experience levels, and sectors of the footwear industry, including design, HR, production, marketing, retail, administration (such as finance, accounting, and legal), and beyond. While the series centers on uplifting women, we also welcome nominations for individuals of all gender identities whose work reflects these values.