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Top 10 Women Shaping the Future of Retail Store Development
Celebrating International Women's Day 2026: Meet the leaders behind McDonald's, Starbucks, CVS Health, Sephora, Lululemon, and more, managing billions in capital budgets and thousands of store openings.
Behind every store you walk into, every layout that feels intuitive, every location that seems perfectly placed, every build that was delivered on time and on budget, there is a team of professionals who made it happen. And increasingly, the leaders of those teams are women.
On this International Women's Day, I want to recognize 10 remarkable women who are shaping how America's most iconic retail brands grow, build, and evolve their physical presence. These are the leaders behind the real estate strategies, construction programs, and store development pipelines that power brands like McDonald's, Starbucks, CVS Health, Sephora, Lululemon, and more.
In an industry that has historically been male-dominated, these women don't just participate, they lead. They manage billions in capital budgets, oversee thousands of store openings and remodels, and make the critical decisions that determine where and how retail meets the consumer.
1. Tabassum Zalotrawala
SVP Global Restaurant Design & Chief Development Officer, McDonald's USA
Isn't it remarkable that one of the most powerful development roles in the global restaurant industry is held by a woman whose career journey spans three continents and some of the most recognized brands in food service.
Tabassum Zalotrawala leads global restaurant design strategy and serves as Chief Development Officer for McDonald's USA, overseeing the expansion and management of over 13,000 restaurants. Her path to this role is extraordinary, beginning with interior design work on ultra-high-end projects in the Middle East, including palaces and government buildings in Oman, before moving into QSR development at Arby's, Panda Restaurant Group, and Chipotle Mexican Grill. At Chipotle, she led a holistic restaurant turnaround strategy across the US, Canada, and Europe. A graduate of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program, she also serves on the ICSC Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of DiamondRock Hospitality Company.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Tabassum remind us that the most transformative careers are often the most unconventional ones, and that vision, adaptability, and relentless drive are what ultimately shape the physical future of the world's biggest brands.
2. Meredith Sandland
EVP, Chief Coffeehouse Design & Development Officer, Starbucks
Isn't it exciting to see how the future of one of the world's most beloved coffeehouse brands is being reimagined by a woman who has spent her career at the intersection of restaurants, place, and technology.
Meredith Sandland joined Starbucks in February 2025 as EVP and Chief Coffeehouse Design & Development Officer. Her journey to this role is anything but traditional, she spent over a decade at Bain & Company in private equity consulting, then served as Chief Development Officer at Taco Bell where she quadrupled net new unit growth, led operations at Kitchen United's shared commercial kitchens, and co-authored the award-winning book "Delivering the Digital Restaurant." She also served as CEO of Empower Delivery, a B2B SaaS company focused on restaurant delivery infrastructure.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Meredith remind us that the most impactful store development leaders are those who can see beyond bricks and mortar, combining strategic thinking, entrepreneurial courage, and a deep understanding of how consumer behavior shapes physical spaces.
3. Danni Gallagher
Vice President of Planning, Design, and Construction, CVS Health
Isn't it powerful to know that behind one of America's largest healthcare and retail portfolios stands a woman who has spent nearly two decades leading billion-dollar capital programs across architecture, construction, and real estate.
Danni Gallagher has dedicated close to 18 years to CVS Health, rising from Senior Construction Project Manager to Vice President of Planning, Design, and Construction. In this role, she directed enterprise-wide capital planning for a $394B organization, leading 150 professionals across all business lines, retail, clinical, specialty, and office. Her portfolio included managing up to $1B in capital expenditures, overseeing the conversion of 1,672 Target pharmacies to CVS, integrating 40 Oak Street Health clinics, and repositioning 27 distribution centers. With a background in architecture from the University at Buffalo, Danni is also a recognized industry speaker and was named one of Retail's Top Women.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Danni remind us that building at scale requires not just technical expertise, but the kind of strategic leadership and resilience that defines careers spanning decades of consistent impact.
4. Lauren Kruse
Vice President, Store Creation, Sephora
Isn't it beautiful to see how the physical beauty retail experience that millions of customers enjoy every day is shaped by a woman with over two decades of hands-on construction and retail development expertise.
Lauren Kruse serves as Vice President of Store Creation at Sephora, where she has spent more than nine years leading execution and property development. Before joining Sephora, Lauren spent over 12 years at Gap Inc. as Director of Construction for the Northeast Zone, and began her career as a Project Manager at GUESS. Her skills in construction management, process scheduling, and large-scale retail execution make her one of the most experienced store development leaders in the beauty industry.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Lauren remind us that behind every beautiful store experience is a development professional whose years of expertise, precision, and dedication to craft make it all possible.
5. Jenny Chang
SVP of Store Development, Lululemon
Isn't it wonderful to see how the global expansion of a brand like Lululemon is guided by a woman who has spent decades mastering the art and science of retail real estate.
Jenny Chang leads store development at Lululemon, overseeing real estate strategy, construction, and the growth of the brand's global store network. Her path to this role has been shaped by more than two decades in retail real estate, including over 12 years in leadership roles at Gap Inc., where she rose from Director to Vice President of Real Estate, helping drive expansion across multiple brands. A graduate of the University of Guelph, Jenny brings expertise in real estate, location intelligence, and corporate real estate strategy.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Jenny remind us that behind the growth of some of the world's most recognizable retail brands are women whose expertise and determination shape the physical future of retail.
6. Charissa Abud
VP of Store Development & Facilities, JD North America
Isn't it impressive to see how one of the world's fastest-growing athletic retail brands in North America is being built out by a woman who rose through every level of the organization.
Charissa Abud has spent over 17 years at JD Finish Line, progressing from General Sales Manager to Corporate Visual Merchandising Manager, then through Store Development Project Manager and Program Manager roles, before being named Vice President of Store Development & Facilities for all of JD North America. She now oversees construction, facilities, and the programming of all JD Group store openings across the United States. With a background in digital media production and an entrepreneurial spirit, having previously owned a boutique and recording studio, Charissa brings a uniquely creative perspective to the world of retail construction.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Charissa remind us that the most impactful careers are often built from the ground up, with initiative, ownership, and a hunger for the next challenge.
7. Lisa Smola-Hollo
Director of Construction & Remodels, Ulta Beauty
Isn't it extraordinary to realize that behind the growth and transformation of one of America's leading beauty retailers is a woman who has spent nearly three decades mastering the full lifecycle of retail construction.
Lisa Smola-Hollo brought over 27 years of construction management experience to Ulta Beauty, where she served as Director of Construction & Remodels for 11 years. In this role, she provided strategic direction across all levels of project development, led new store programs, remodel initiatives, and special projects, and managed budgets consistently within 5% of actual costs. A PMP-certified and Six Sigma Green Belt professional with an MBA in Project Management from Franklin University, Lisa also spent 14 years at Borders Group and held construction leadership roles at Pet Supplies Plus. Her career is defined by process improvement, cost discipline, and a passion for mentoring the next generation.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Lisa remind us that retail construction excellence is built on decades of dedication, disciplined execution, and the ability to lead teams through complexity with grace and precision.
8. Shannon M. Yeakel
Senior Director of Real Estate Development, Dick's Sporting Goods
Isn't it fascinating to see how one of America's most dynamic sporting goods retailers continues to grow its physical footprint under the leadership of a woman whose career bridges public service and private sector development.
Shannon Yeakel serves as Senior Director of Real Estate Development at Dick's Sporting Goods, where she has spent over 17 years progressively advancing through every level of the development organization, from Development Manager to Senior Development Manager, Director, and now Senior Director. Before entering retail, Shannon spent over six years as Director of Community Development for the Township of Upper St. Clair, bringing a rare public-sector foundation in urban planning and community infrastructure. She holds a Master of Public Administration in Urban and Regional Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh and a BS in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Shannon remind us that great retail development careers can be built on diverse foundations, and that the skills honed in community service translate powerfully into shaping the physical landscape of national retail brands.
9. Terri Micklin
Senior Vice President, Store Development & Facilities, 7-Eleven
Isn't it inspiring to realize that behind thousands of convenience stores across North America stands a woman who has spent nearly three decades mastering one of the toughest industries in retail development.
Terri Micklin has dedicated 29 years to the industry, including nearly 21 years at Wawa where she rose from Lead Project Engineer to Senior Director of Construction, Store Design & Formats, helping grow the brand to over 1,000 stores. She then served as President of GetGo at Giant Eagle. Now as SVP of Store Development & Facilities at 7-Eleven, she is responsible for the growth, reinvestment, and maintenance strategy for over 13,000 stores across the US and Canada. With a civil engineering background from Cornell University and a Master's from Johns Hopkins, Terri represents the rare combination of deep technical expertise and executive leadership.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Terri remind us what persistence, professionalism, and long-term dedication look like, and how women continue to shape the future of retail development at the highest levels.
10. Theresa Fisher
Senior Vice President, Visual Merchandising & Brand Development, CCA Global Partners
Isn't it amazing to see how the in-store experience across more than 900 retail locations is crafted by a woman whose career in visual merchandising and brand development spans over four decades of retail leadership.
Theresa Fisher serves as Senior Vice President of Visual Merchandising & Brand Development at CCA Global Partners, where she has spent over 24 years overseeing the design, execution, and strategy of merchandising programs across several cooperative retail brands, including Carpet One Floor & Home. Her career began at Polo Ralph Lauren, where she spent over 11 years rising through marketing and product roles, followed by leadership at The Timberland Company. A graduate of New York University with a degree in Studio Art, Theresa also serves as a Board Member of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, demonstrating her commitment to community beyond retail.
On International Women's Day, leaders like Theresa remind us that the art of retail is shaped by those who understand that every store is not just a space, it's an experience, a brand promise, and a connection with the consumer.
Final Thoughts
These 10 women represent the best of what retail store development leadership looks like today. They manage portfolios worth billions, lead teams of hundreds, and make decisions every day that determine how and where we shop, eat, and experience our favorite brands.
What strikes me most is not just their impressive titles or the scale of their work, it's the depth of their careers. These are women who have built their expertise over decades, often starting in technical or hands-on roles and rising to the very top of their organizations through consistency, skill, and an unwavering commitment to their craft.
As someone building an AI-powered construction project management platform for retail development, I see every day how critical these leaders are to the industry. The complexity they navigate, across real estate, design, construction, and operations, is exactly why our industry needs more women at the top.
Happy International Women's Day to these leaders and to all the women building the future of retail.
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInConstruction #RetailDevelopment #StoreDesign #RetailConstruction #WomenLeaders #RetailRealEstate
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