Debra Galle, GM of Coles Supermarkets’ non-food business unit, has won a scholarship to attend Harvard Business School in an initiative launched by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Chief Executive Women (CEW).
The ARA Women Leaders in Retail CEW Scholarship, in its second year, supports female retail leaders looking to advance their careers.
Galle, who has been in leadership positions at Coles for the past four years, has been reported to have deep FMCG sector experience in both production and retail. She has held prominent positions at Coca-Cola, SPC, and Mars.
“The ARA Women Leaders in Retail Scholarship unlocks the opportunity to attend the Women’s Leadership Forum at The Harvard Business School in Boston, which is focussed on enhancing leadership skills to succeed at the executive level of business,” said Galle.
“I think the program’s emphasis on adapting to current market conditions and building strategic advantage can help me to navigate the rapidly changing retail landscape while growing the ability to innovate and capture new opportunities at the organisational level.”
ARA CEO Paul Zahra says the association is committed to improving assistance for women in the industry and supporting women’s career advancement, a key component of the ARA’s commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
The ARA revealed this year’s scholarship winner at a Sustainability & Innovation Breakfast this week, which gathers retail sustainability leaders to highlight sustainable practices and drive positive change.
