In this episode of the I Want Her Shoes podcast, Anna speaks with Victoria Pellet, a highly accomplished executive, keynote speaker, and advocate for diversity and inclusion.
Victoriaโs career has been marked by remarkable achievements, including becoming a CEO at the age of 24. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on how her leadership journey evolved, the role fashion plays in her professional life, and how visibility and empathetic leadership have shaped her approach to business.
Victoriaโs Early Life and Career
Victoria’s drive and determination have roots in a difficult early life. She shared that her purpose and resilience stemmed from her childhood, where she endured trauma and abuse. This challenging start, combined with being adopted into a loving but lower socioeconomic family, shaped her perspective and fueled her determination to succeed.
From a young age, she worked to help support her family, starting at age 11, and was promoted to a leadership position by 14, becoming the assistant manager of a shoe store in high school.
โI was never going to let circumstance prevent me from achieving a goal or objective that I set for myselfโ she says.
Initially pursuing a career in law, Victoria soon realized that her passion lay in the business world. After a promotion with a bank, she relocated across the country and, although she planned to take a year off before attending law school, she found that she enjoyed the corporate environment.
Leadership Philosophy: From “Iron Maiden” to “Whole Human”
Over the next 30 years, Victoria remained in the B2B professional services sector, eventually earning a position as Chief Operating Officer at the age of 24. Reflecting on this experience, she acknowledged the challenges of being both the youngest and the only woman in the room at that time.
Victoria discussed the evolution of her leadership style, which initially involved an all-business, no-nonsense approach. At the start of her career, she relied on resilience and a strict, business-driven persona to prove her capabilities in environments where she often felt like an outsider.
While this approach led to her professional success and subsequent promotions, she admitted that it wasn’t the kind of leadership she aspired to. She wore a “mask,” trying to shield her vulnerabilities and personal background, believing that any display of emotion could be seen as weakness.
โFor me, no excuses… you have a choice in how youโre going to act or respond to itโ she says.
However, as she gained more experience and self-awareness, Victoria shifted toward a leadership style she describes as “whole human leadership.” This approach combines resilience with emotional openness, allowing for both strength and vulnerability. She reflected that her “Iron Maiden” persona, which helped her succeed early on, has evolved into something more compassionate and authentic. Victoria now seeks to be the kind of leader she would want to work for, one who values emotional intelligence and encourages openness in the workplace.
Her personal motto, “no excuses,” is integral to her leadership philosophy. She explained that while challenges are inevitable, individuals have control over how they respond to adversity.
The Role of Fashion in Leadership and Self-Expression
Fashion, for Victoria, is not merely a means of dressing for the day-it is a powerful form of self-expression and a way to communicate confidence. She recalled her early years in New York, where she adopted the corporate uniform of black clothing to fit in.
However, as she became more comfortable with her identity, she began to experiment with bolder fashion choices. Today, she incorporates bright colors, unique sneakers, and statement blazers into her wardrobe, using fashion as a way to show her individuality and stand out in a business world that often values conformity.
Victoriaโs style choices, such as wearing funky sneakers during speaking engagements, have become part of her leadership identity. She believes that fashion allows her to express her boldness and authenticity while also challenging conventional norms in corporate settings. Her fashion choices now reflect her comfort in her own skin, and she encourages others to embrace their unique style as a means of personal and professional expression.
Visibility and Empowering Others
A key theme in the conversation was the importance of visibility, particularly for women and members of marginalized communities. Victoria believes in the power of representation and the idea that “you cannot be what you cannot see.”
As a leader, she feels it is her responsibility to be visible and to create opportunities for others who may not have had access to those spaces before. By doing so, she hopes to inspire future generations of women and LGBTQ+ individuals to pursue leadership roles.
Victoria also emphasized the need to create safe spaces in the workplace where people can be themselves without fear of judgment. She spoke about the importance of hiring for diverse experiences and backgrounds, recognizing that not everyone fits the traditional mold of success. She believes that by coaching employees and providing opportunities to grow, leaders can build more inclusive and effective teams.
Conclusion
Victoria Pellet’s journey from a young, ambitious leader to a resilient, empathetic executive offers valuable insights into the evolving nature of leadership. Her emphasis on authenticity, visibility, and inclusion serves as a model for those striving to lead with intention.
Whether through her leadership style, fashion choices, or commitment to empowering others, Victoria demonstrates how to walk boldly in one’s own shoes authentically, with confidence, and with a focus on making a positive impact.
