Women in Retail & FMCG Leadership Summit 2025

Join Liquid Learning for this kick-off session as we prepare for two days of incredible speakers, senior leaders, expert deep-dives and unmissable panel discussions!

As the retail and FMCG sector continue to evolve, so too must its leadership. The path to a truly inclusive, safe, and equitable industry begins with those willing to lead differently, those who create space for others to thrive. We kick off the summit with Alicia Eggington, sharing insights from her personal leadership journey, one shaped by bold decisions, genuine connection, and the drive to create inclusive cultures.

- Practical strategies to cultivate collaboration and trust within diverse teams

- Navigating the complexities of cross-cultural communication

- Leading systemic change to support long-term growth

Change is constant, but how you lead through it defines the experience for those around you. In times of uncertainty, your team looks to you not just for direction, but for stability, empathy, and clarity. In this session, Jana draws on her extensive experience guiding large teams through complex organisational transformation. Discover the mindset, strategies, and leadership behaviours that have helped her maintain strong, values-led leadership during periods of disruption, while ensuring her people feel supported, heard, and empowered to adapt.

- Learn how to empower your teams through periods of change

- Create a workplace culture that embraces change and encourages collaboration

- Building resilient teams in times of transition

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

Every leadership decision, whether it's about people, performance, or purpose, has the power to shape an organisation. This hands-on session pulls back the curtain on how successful leaders think, decide, and act. Drawing on her extensive experience at iconic brands including Cadbury, Mars and Woolworths, Gemma unpacks the key drivers behind impactful leadership decisions and how recognising them can help you elevate your own influence and accelerate your career progression.

- Discover how to adapt your leadership style to handle complex decision

- Learn to communicate like a leader

- Leverage the decision-making strategies of successful leaders to enhance your own

In an industry where change is constant and innovation is non-negotiable, successful leaders can’t just react to challenges, they must evolve. From navigating high-stakes change to building agile, future-ready teams, Sarah as she takes you inside her leadership journey at the forefront of global e-commerce transformation at eBay. Discover what it really takes to lead through complexity and deliver impact at scale.

- How to empower your team to embrace uncertainty and lead through change

- Practical approaches to embed agility into team culture and operations

- Insights into designing seamless, customer-first experiences during transformation

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

As technology, consumer expectations, and business models shift at speed, leaders in retail and FMCG must continually evolve to stay ahead. This exclusive panel brings together a diverse line-up of industry leaders and innovators to explore what it takes to lead through change in one of the most fast-paced and competitive sectors. From leveraging AI and digital transformation, to fostering cultures of innovation and adaptability, our panellists will share hard-won insights, lessons learned, and bold visions for the future.

- How technology and AI are reshaping the retail and FMCG landscape - and what leaders need to know

- The leadership skills to navigate transformation and drive sustainable success

- How to unlock growth, innovation, and new market opportunities

True leadership begins from within, and the ability to harness confidence, resilience, and self-belief is what allows great leaders to rise above complexity and lead with conviction. Join Carrie Kirkman, trailblazing retail executive, former CEO of Sears Canada, and now a senior leader at Target, as she shares powerful insights from her leadership journey. From reimagining retail strategies to navigating high-stakes transformation, Carrie reflects on how to embrace bold decision-making, build inner strength, and stay true to your values.

- How to lead with confidence and make bold, values-led decisions

- Tools to build inner resilience and navigate leadership challenges with courage and purpose

- Practical strategies to inspire your team

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders. Enjoy a light refreshment before finishing day one.

With constant innovation, evolving consumer behaviours, and shifting global dynamics, the most effective leaders remain grounded in their purpose and present with their people. In this session, Sarah shares her experience steering transformation at scale in one of the world’s most recognised brands. Unpack what it means to lead with both strength and empathy in a high-pressure, fast-moving environment, and how to take your people on the journey with you.

- How to lead with purpose and clarity amidst shifting priorities

- Practical strategies to support and empower your team in uncertain times

- Embracing a resilient mindset 

As day one of the conference comes to a close, take a moment to reflect on today's insights and how they can shape your journey. What key takeaways will help you move closer to your personal and professional goals?

Join us for our end of day one networking. Enjoy canapés and drinks whilst getting to know your peers further, build ongoing relationships, and share your highlights of the day.

The pace of technological change in Retail and FMCG is accelerating, reshaping the way we work and compete. As leaders, embracing change isn’t just about keeping up, it’s about staying ahead and enabling our teams to succeed. In this session, Linda explores practical strategies to integrate AI while empowering your people.

- Shift mindsets to see technological change as a driver of innovation and growth

- Build adaptability and resilience to ensure your team thrives in a changing environment

- Leverage AI to drive productivity, enhance decision-making and create a competitive edge

In today's evolving landscape how do you attract and retain top tier talent? Join Dimity as she dissects what it means to be a strong leader and find the best people for your team. Dimity will explore strategies for fostering a culture of innovation, adaptability, and continuous learning, while also highlighting the importance of aligning your team's skills and expertise with ever-changing demands.

- Discover how to cultivate a strong leadership presence

- Walk away ready to empower your team

- Gain valuable insights into leadership and talent management 

Mix and mingle with your fellow leaders over a cup of coffee and light refreshments.

We live in a world of information overload, where constant competing demands on our attention have made work overload, and decision fatigue an increasingly widespread issue. Recognising the sources of work overload is crucial, but it's also important to learn strategies to reduce the cognitive load that accompanies it, so you can make great decisions while performing under pressure. Join Karen as she shares practical tips for identifying and managing your work overload stressors.

- Explore the neuroscience of working memory and attention.

- Understand the importance of monitoring your mental energy level

- Practice a relaxation technique to reduce stress and get your cognitive energy back

When leadership roles in traditionally male-dominated industries remain scarce for women, Alex has carved out her own path to success, overcoming challenges and embracing opportunities for growth. In this session, Alex will share her inspiring journey, offering valuable insights into the strategies that enabled her to break through barriers and advance in her career. She will explore the obstacles she faced, the lessons learned, and the ways in which she has empowered other women to do the same. Join Alex as she shares practical strategies for navigating leadership in male-dominated sectors and ignites a conversation about empowering women to rise to the top.

- Navigating challenges in male-dominated Industries

- Discover how to turn obstacles into opportunities

- Strategies for breaking through barriers

Enjoy a midday lunch break. A time to refresh, refuel, and prepare for a full afternoon of immersive learning and inspiration.

How do you turn connections into opportunities? In today’s fast-evolving world, it’s not just about what you know, but who you know, and how you engage with those around you. Building connections can open doors to new opportunities and help navigate the challenges faced. This panel brings together established leaders from across the Retail & FMCG sectors to share their experiences, and offer practical insights into the power of networking.  

- Learn the importance of building a supportive community 

- Understand how mentorship is a tool for success 

- See how networking leads to opportunities 

Conflict at work is something we all face at some point. Some people thrive in this environment of tension and competitive energy but for others it can have a real effect on their ability to get the job done. Learning to deal with conflict is a crucial skill to succeed at work - It can lead to higher job satisfaction, stronger relationships with colleagues, and innovation. Join expert facilitator, Chloe Blake, as she provides you with strategies, tools and frameworks for navigating conflict and dealing with those difficult conversations at work.

- Identify the barriers that prevent people from having difficult conversations

- Define your objective and remain solution-focused

- Develop active listening strategies to preserve your professional relationships

A quick break to refresh and continue building your network with fellow leaders. Enjoy a light refreshment before finishing day one.

Great leadership isn’t about avoiding challenges, it’s about embracing them. How does one leader navigate the complex crises and transformations while shaping the reputations of leading organisations. In this inspiring session, she will share how she turned challenges into opportunities, built influence in high-stakes environments, and used uncertainty as a catalyst for growth. Through real-world insights, you will be empowered to develop the confidence and strategic mindset needed to thrive.

- The power of resilience and adaptability in navigating disruption

- Lessons from crisis management that can shape stronger leadership

- How to lead with influence, even in challenging corporate landscapes

We wrap up our inspirational and jam packed two days with this interactive action planning session. This is your chance to table any topic or trend for a final group discussion. Reflecting on the inspiring stories that have been shared, discussing your key learnings with your peers, and creating your action plan for moving forward.

- Reflect on your key learnings from the Summit

- Identify opportunities for career progression and growth

- Create an action plan for your leadership journey

Develop self-awareness and authenticity

- Align your values to lead authentically

- Identify your strengths and potential challenges

- Optimise your leadership style for your organisation

Advanced communication and influence

- Manage emotions for effective communication

- Develop your “conversational intelligence”

- Prepare for and navigate difficult conversations 

Develop reflective leadership

- Recognise the benefits of reflection

- Develop skills for effective reflective practice

- Apply reflection to enhance organisational culture

Strategic career progression

- Create a personal leadership plan

- Build relationships for professional opportunities

- Manage personal branding and visibility

Accelerate team performance

- Leverage team dynamics to optimise performance

- Challenge, support, and empower others

- Develop strategies to manage disruptors

Drive change and innovation

- Recognise and overcome obstacles

- Trust your instincts, embrace risks, and push boundaries

- Create a culture of positive change 

Remain productive in a crisis

- Build resilience to thrive under pressure

- Support your team and engage others to deliver

- Provide and accept feedback after crisis

Action planning for leadership

- Plan approaches for short and long-term goals

- Identify and understand challenges

- Share approaches to move your career forward