The VF Asia Women’s Network (AWN) is taking action to develop women leaders in Asia, while also reinforcing the company’s commitment to Paradigm for Parity, ensuring women are a critical pillar to VF’s success. 

This month, AWN hosted its first-ever leadership summit in Hong Kong, focused on the 2018 International Women’s Day theme “Press for Progress.” The two-day interactive event aimed to empower, inspire, cultivate and elevate the impact of VF’s aspiring women leaders and included:

• Workshops: A global expert in leadership and personal branding led workshops focused on defining and establishing a personal brand and developing self-awareness using the Extended DISC (dominance, influence, steadiness, compliance) profile, a behavioral tool that measures both natural and adjusted styles of behavior.
• Networking: More than 50 leaders, including participants and speakers, connected during the summit to network with senior leaders from across our global organization.
• Education & Advocacy: Participants shared their observations and discussed ways to create a more inclusive environment that allows all associates to thrive.
• Breakout sessions: Mountain climber Liza Avelino hosted a breakout session on leadership and self-discovery, and Karen Smith, VF’s Vice President, Supply Chain, shared leadership lessons learned throughout her 25-plus year career.
• Speakers: A host of executive VF leaders presented on a variety of topics, including VF’s commitment to Paradigm for Parity and developing a personal brand. Speakers included Reggie Miller, Senior Director, Global Inclusion & Diversity; Kevin Bailey, Group President, APAC; Anita Graham, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer; Tom Glaser, Vice President and President, Global Supply Chain; and Cameron Bailey, Vice President, Global Product Supply.

“Throughout the summit, our goal was to empower attendees to lead with purpose, intent and confidence by reflecting on how they can own their career development and reinforce that inclusion starts with ‘I,’” said Natalie Clark, Vice President, Asia Sourcing, Timberland® and Napapijri®, and a co-sponsor of the Summit. “The takeaway for participants was to ‘pay it forward’ and use their new learnings to build and develop themselves, as well as other female leaders in the organization.”  

The conference concluded with discussions focused on ensuring associates have the tools and resources to enhance leadership and personal growth, while detailing actionable next steps for each participant.

“This conference is a significant example of VF's commitment to developing women leaders,” said Marty Duff, Vice President, Supply Chain, Asia Brands Office, and co-sponsor of the summit. “Each individual has an opportunity to make a difference and be a champion of change. Collectively, we can make significant progress in our journey to be more inclusive and achieve parity.” 

The VF Asia Women’s Network is part of a larger network of regional VF women’s chapters, focused on cultivating women leaders throughout our organization, including the India Women’s Network, Women’s Empowerment Network (WEN) Outdoor in Alameda, California, and Women of VF Employee Network (WOVEN) in Greensboro. 

Learn more about inclusion and diversity and VF.