Lead. Learn. Lift.
Why more women in leadership isn’t just fair – it’s economically smart The Retail Marketeers‘ LeadHers Collective is bringing fresh energy to the industry
Gas stations. Grocery retail. Retail tech. Foodservice.
What do these industries have in common? They’re still – even today – seen as male domains. And what do they need? More visibility for female leadership. More diversity in decision-making structures. And networks that don’t just connect people, but genuinely create change.
Underrepresented where it matters most
Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles – especially in the positions where real career leaps to CEO begin: as COO, CFO, or in P&L-responsible roles. According to a recent analysis of the S&P 100, 6.6 times more women would need to be appointed as COOs (currently only 8%) and 2.5 times more as CFOs (currently 20%) to achieve true equal opportunity at the C-level. And this isn’t about fairness. It’s about economic sense. Because: Companies with high gender diversity are 27% more profitable than the industry average, according to Harvard DCE. The laggards in diversity, meanwhile, perform significantly worse. The conclusion is clear: anyone who wants to win economically cannot afford to do without female leadership. This is where the LeadHers Collective comes in – the new initiative from The Retail Marketeers, launching with a clear motto: Lead. Learn. Lift.
Lead.
Leading with impact. Visible. Bold. Future-oriented.
Women have long led with brilliance. But too often outside the spotlight. In the convenience and gas station industry – with its 24/7 structures, systemic complexity, and fast-paced business – this exact kind of leadership is needed. Because new challenges demand new perspectives. The LeadHers Collective brings together women from every level of the value chain: from traditional grocery retail, chain restaurants, franchisors, retail tech start-ups, or oil companies. Together they represent a new understanding of leadership – not louder, but more effective. Not more masculine, but more determined.
Learn.
Sharing knowledge. Opening perspectives. Growing.
Leadership isn’t a state, it’s a journey. That’s why the network relies on genuine dialogue formats: small, intimate groups. Deep conversations. Personal experiences. No stage lighting – just eye level. Whether at roundtables, masterclasses, or strategic offsites – the exchange within the LeadHers Collective is never an end in itself. It fosters growth, innovation, and the courage to do things differently. And it connects women who otherwise often carry responsibility alone – in large corporations as well as in mid-sized businesses.
Lift.
Bringing others along. Creating space. Sharing success.
What makes this network special is the „Lift“ idea: women strengthening one another – actively, visibly, and across industry boundaries. They recommend each other for positions. Nominate each other for awards. Share contacts. And show presence – both online and offline. The Collective creates visibility – through profiles, panel presence, campaigns. It ensures that performance gets seen. And that success is never just an isolated case.
Facts that count.
Diversity drives economic success
The numbers speak for themselves: Companies with a high proportion of women in top management achieve up to 47% higher return on equity (ROE) – confirmed by the latest Russell Reynolds Associates study (2024). Gender-diverse leadership teams are more innovative, more resilient in crises, and more profitable – shown both by Harvard DCE and international benchmarks. The message: diversity isn’t a social obligation – it’s a strategic competitive advantage. Especially in the gas station and convenience industry, which faces heavy pressure from efficiency demands, skilled-labor shortages, and technological change, diverse leadership can make the difference – for customer satisfaction, employer branding, and long-term economic success.
A network for the entire industry
Open, cross-channel, future-focused
The LeadHers Collective is deliberately not aimed only at women in leadership positions at gas station operators. It’s open to decision-makers, innovators, and changemakers from across the entire retail value chain: • from grocery retail and foodservice • from franchise organizations and QSR concepts • from digital retail solutions, tech start-ups, and payment platforms • from the brand industry, category management, and communications Because anyone who wants to succeed tomorrow must think beyond silos today.
Now is the right time The industry is at a turning point.
Consumer behavior is changing at breakneck speed. Technology is accelerating processes. And ESG criteria are putting diversity at the center of corporate responsibility. The Retail Marketeers‘ LeadHers Collective offers an answer: with conviction, with network, with impact. And with a clear promise: We lead. We learn. We lift each other up.
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