LEAD Network CEO Allyson Zimmerman on Gender Equity, Inclusive Retail & The Future of DEI | WRC 2025
Live from the VusionGroup Podcast Studio at the World Retail Congress 2025, Omni Talk catches up with Allyson Zimmerman, CEO of the LEAD Network. Allison discusses her journey from KFC kitchens to global NGO leadership, how the LEAD Network is advancing gender equity in the retail and CPG sectors, and what retailers must do to create workplaces that are truly inclusive.
Key Moments:
(0:38) Allyson Zimmerman introduction and career background
(1:50) The LEAD Network’s mission and scale across Europe
(3:40) State of DEI: U.S. vs. global perspective
(5:00) Why retailers must reflect their consumer base
(6:00) Action vs. language in diversity initiatives
(7:20) Moving beyond representation to systemic change
(8:00) Example: CEO-led sponsorship driving talent equity
(9:15) Listening to resistance and addressing fear
(10:00) Conference insights: trust, culture, and employee-as-customer mindset
#LEADNetwork #genderequity #RetailDEI #worldretailcongress #WomenInRetail #inclusiveleadership #retailinnovation #employeeengagement #omnitalk #retailtransformation #DiversityInRetail #systemicchange #ConsumerGoodsLeadership
Omni Talk
Omni Talk is the retail blog for retailers, written by retailers. Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga founded Omni Talk in 2017 and have quickly turned it into one of the fastest growing blogs in retail.
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