Reimagining A Style Giant

The Community's Conversation

Donna James is among Ohio’s most successful and admired executives. Her current challenge may be among the most significant of her accomplished career: helping a storied Ohio-based global fashion and style icon re-imagine and re-invent itself after decades of both astounding growth and calls for change.

As board chair of Victoria’s Secret & Co., James is helping set the VS&Co. ship on a new course toward greater inclusivity while working to win over new generations of younger customers who have their own diverse definitions of beauty.

This CMC forum features an in-depth conversation with Donna James and VS&Co.’s Chief Diversity Officer, Lydia Smith, plus industry expert Kimberly Minor as moderator. We reflect on career journeys and dive into the challenge of setting a globally-recognized brand up for success with a new generation of customers in an ever-changing fashion world.

Featuring Donna James, Board Chair, Victoria’s Secret & Co., and Managing Director, Lardon & Associates LLC, and Lydia Smith, Chief Diversity Officer, Victoria’s Secret & Co., with host Kimberly Minor, CEO, Bumbershoot, LLC.

This CMC forum was sponsored by The United Way of Central Ohio, RAMA Consulting, and Crabbe, Brown, and James, with support from The Ellis.

The livestream was presented by The Center for Human Kindness at The Columbus Foundation and The Columbus Dispatch.

It was recorded before a live audience at The Ellis in Columbus, Ohio's historic Italian Village on December 6, 2023.