Senior Writer
Fortune
Phil Wahba is a senior writer at Fortune primarily focused on leadership coverage. His award-winning features include profiles of CEOs at Costco and Kohl’s and an examination of how private equity transformed the retail sector. Phil joined Fortune in 2014 from Reuters, where he covered retail, corporate bankruptcies, the stock exchanges, and wrote a weekly column about IPOs. He has also worked as a trade commissioner in New York for the Canadian government. He holds a B.Comm from HEC Montréal and an MBA from the University of Ottawa. In 2007, he graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in Journalism. He is also a CFA charter holder.
Tuesday Jan 13
9:45am - 10:15am
Vusion Theatre
In a dynamic conversation between two influential leaders in retail, Linda Hubbard, CEO of Carhartt, and Anne Mehlman, EVP and Global Brand President of Crocs explore how legacy brands can thrive in a fast-changing global marketplace. From workwear to lifestyle footwear, their brands have captured the hearts of consumers through authenticity, innovation, and bold transformation. This session will unpack how Carhartt and Crocs are continuing to evolve to stay connected and relevant to their consumers; strategies for scaling purpose-driven storytelling across global markets; operational insights on navigating supply chain, sustainability, and digital acceleration, and personal leadership philosophies that drive resilience and reinvention. Join this panel for a candid and inspiring dialogue that bridges tradition and disruption – offering actionable insights for retail leaders shaping the future of commerce.
