Celebrating Women’s History Month: From Opening Bell At Nasdaq To Tea With Gloria Steinem
A media leader's behind-the-scenes journey through pivotal moments celebrating female entrepreneurship and activism this March
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Key takeaways
A media leader's behind-the-scenes journey through pivotal moments celebrating female entrepreneurship and activism this March
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This Women's History Month, Retail Refined's host joined The DealMakeHers for a series of transformative moments — from opening and closing the Nasdaq to sharing an intimate tea with trailblazer Gloria Steinem.
Across several days of meaningful conversations and landmark events, we celebrated women's leadership, innovation, and resilience. Here's a recap:
Opening Nasdaq For International Women's Day
Women's groups gathered alongside the Editor-in-Chief of Glamour and the Nasdaq team to ring the Opening Bell, marking the start of Women's History Month on a global stage. The moment was more than ceremonial — it served as a rallying cry for continued advocacy for women in leadership and business.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with changemakers, we honored women who are redefining industries, driving transformation, and shaping groundbreaking innovations. And with them, a clear message emerged: the future of the capital markets shines brighter when women's voices are part of the conversation.
The future of the capital markets shines brighter when women's voices are part of the conversation.
Deepening The Dialogue
The DealMakeHers returned to Nasdaq, partnering with Women in Retail to recognize this year's 25 Inspirational Women — all nominated by current members. This annual list celebrates trailblazing leaders across retail, fashion, technology, beauty, wellness, social commerce, and culture.
These honorees share a common mission: to drive innovation, lead with purpose, and champion other women leaders. Their influence extends far beyond their companies, helping shape the future of commerce and raising the bar for excellence.
A personal highlight was the nomination of Shea Jensen by Retail Refined host Melissa Gonzalez. Jensen, a past guest on the podcast, brings three decades of retail expertise with leadership roles at Nordstrom, Good American, Pressed Juicery, and now Urban Outfitters, where she continues to set new standards in customer experience and retail innovation.
You can view the full list of honorees here.
The Work Continues
While these events were inspiring, they also served as a reminder: the journey is ongoing, but the momentum is strong.
Retail Refined Podcast Spotlight: Women Powerhouses
In parallel, Retail Refined continues to highlight women who are shaping the future of business and culture. Recent conversations include:
- Urban Outfitters with Shea Jensen, on how the brand is redefining retail for Gen Z and Gen Alpha through bold, forward-thinking strategies. Listen here.
- True Religion with Kristen D'Arcy, on how the brand is keeping legacy brands culturally relevant and authentic. Listen here.
- Anthropologie with Elizabeth Preis, on blending data and creativity to deliver the brand's signature 'Anthromagic.' Listen here.
- Madewell with Adrienne Lazarus, on how data-driven insights are guiding the brand's evolution to meet today's consumer. Listen here.
- Milani Cosmetics with Kelly Sobol, on how the brand is setting new standards in beauty through inclusivity and innovation. Listen here.
Together, these stories echo this month's core message: leadership is about creating space for others, driving change, and redefining what's possible.
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About the author
Industry-recognized influencer, leader, and storyteller in Retail. Lead Retail Industry Contributor at MarketScale. Principal at MG2 Design. Host of "Retail Refined" Podcast. As a global brand and retail experience disruptor, Melissa possess strong proficiency in consumer insights, experiential design, retail technology integration, and brand innovation. During her career, she have created powerful visual narratives through physical spaces, imprinting complex concepts and ideas to consumers in genuine, tactile, and persuasive manners. She have also served as a consumer engagement trendsetter, “pop-up” industry pioneer, and entrepreneur. Melissa founded and launched a consumer experiential design firm that achieved a successful exit, driving initial client wins, monetization, and exponential revenue growth. "Melissa brings both her industry knowledge and an approachable and educational point of view to her interviewing skills. With an authentic style, she facilitates an engaging dialogue, one where listeners can walk away from with tangible insights and thought provokers!" -Jeffrey Roseman, Vice Chairman of Retail at Newmark "What sets Melissa apart is her ability to cut through the noise and provide actionable insights. Whether you’re a store owner looking to revamp your space or a tech enthusiast curious about the next big thing in retail, you’ll find tangible ideas to build on. From seasoned designers to pioneering tech gurus - ensuring that listeners are always engaged with diverse and forward-thinking perspectives. Retail Refined doesn’t just skim the surface; it dives deep into topics that matter. If staying ahead of the retail curve is important to you, start here." -Nate Frazier, Chief Operating Officer of GNC
