b'GINA DROSOSopinions to diverge, and then to lead aAn 18-karat yellow goldas well as 40 percent of Signets vice team to converge, to create a strategy thatnecklace set with yellowpresidents are women.diamonds and an emerald everyone rallies behind.from the Jared Atelier x ShySingleton says, She has a heart and a For CFO Hilson, seeing Drosos takeDayan collection determination for advancing women in busi-charge during the pandemic was a fantasticness and a belief that you should be able to be a experience in leadership. mom and an executive.We very quickly assessed the situation and we rodeEthnic and racial diversity also have grown the boat together and the team jumped on, says Hilson. during Drosos tenure, which she sees as important to Singleton also recalls Drosos unwavering leadershipSignets business strategy.through that challenging time, noting how she, kept aAccording to its Corporate Citizen and Sustainability relentless focus on building and maintaining a strong Signetreport for fiscal 2024, 37 percent of assistant store managers for our teams to come back to. and above in North America identify as Black, indigenous, Pressure makes diamonds, Drosos would often say duringor a person of color, while thats true for 15 percent of those the early days of the pandemic.who are a vice president or higher.With the stores closed, Signet had to equip its teams withDiversity in our organization helps us be more innovative tablets and virtual consultation training. because we collectively think differently and we see around Thats a hallmark of strong companies, that you dont gothe corner, says Drosos.back during the tough times. You continue to invest in whatsSignet has eight active business resource groups, including important; in our case, our people and advancing our digital capabil- groups for those who belong to the Asian Pacific, Hispanic, Latino, ities, says Drosos. and Black communities, as well as groups for LGBTQ employees, The other adage I think about is,women, and veterans.never waste a crisis, she says. Another hallmark of her tenure Change is hard for a lot of peopleIts not hard to get ideasWhatsis Signets push into the digital space.and organizations. But when youhard is focusing on the most When Drosos started at Signet, have a crisis, everybody understandse-commerce accounted for about 5 immediately the need to change. Ifimportant ones and really drivingpercent of sales, and now its more you can drive that in a positive direc- those competitive advantages. than 20 percent.tion, then inertia is gone and the callWhen I first said that to our to action is very clear and the organi- And I think data helps to do that.store teams [about moving into the zation starts to move mountains.Gina Drosos, Signet Jewelers digital space], they thought I had three heads, she recalls.CAREER HIGHLIGHTS E-commerce is the enemy and Successfully guiding the com- Continued on page 48pany through a crisis on the scale of COVID-19 was a high point for Drosos, but looking back on her career so far, the Signet CEO says she is most proud of her team.I love seeing people achieve things theyre excited about. Therefore, I love developing leaders. I love drawing out diverse points of view, she says.I love forming a strategy with the team and then using my role to break down barriers and move obstacles out of the teams way so they can push a strategy ahead. That really has been my highlight at Signet, she says.The diversity in the organization is another point of pride, says Drosos, noting that women make up 59 percent of her leadership team. Nearly 75 percent of those in assis-tant store manager positions and above From left, Drosos, Hilson, and Singleton with a diamond factory employee during a recent trip to Botswana46 RETAILER HALL OF FAME 2024'