Melissa Worth describes her career superpower as being able to connect the dots. “I see critical relationships faster than others. It enables me to empower teams and link initiatives to unlock opportunities,” said New Balance’s senior vice president of the Americas.
And indeed, she has a uniquely broad view of the industry thanks to her wide-ranging background.
After starting her career at retail companies including Gap, Talbot’s and Filene’s, Worth spent several years running Puma’s Boston flagship before transitioning to fashion wholesale. She took on leadership positions at Perry Ellis International in 2006, eventually rising to president of Perry Ellis Menswear.
Worth joined New Balance in 2018 and now leads more than 2,000 employees in the brand’s largest region, overseeing key divisions including wholesale, retail, e-commerce, marketing, merchandising, operations and finance. She has used her skills to streamline operations and deliver its high-heat products even faster.
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“I love change and the challenge of evolution and am always looking at ways our teams can improve,” she said. “Over my time at New Balance we have looked at the marketplace and our approach to it through this lens. By evolving how we go to market and how our initiatives are linked through our go-to-market process, key partners and the end consumer, we have been able to accelerate the growth of the brand across the Americas.”
There are other superpowers she’s still learning to cultivate, though, such as self-care. “I am a driven person, and always look to maximize my productivity. However, I have learned the hard way that pushing yourself to your limits is not always a healthy approach, and good quality rest is essential if you want to perform your best and be present for both your work and personal life,” she said.
Some steps she’s taken to carve out space for herself include actively scheduling breaks, putting her phone away and taking time to explore nature.
Worth is also making time to share her career insights with younger leaders. In addition to supporting New Balance’s internal leadership programs and employee resource groups, she recently joined the advisory board for Two Ten Footwear Foundation’s Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) community. “I do my best to show up every day as a strong female leader who can relate to the personal and professional challenges we all face,” she said. “WIFI is a powerful platform that will be able to better connect and help women in the footwear industry grow.”
A version of this article appeared in the June 3 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 5, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation honored these women at a live event in New York City.
