SAN DIEGO — The power of sports to shape leadership and resilience took center stage at the NACDS Total Store Expo during the well-attended special session, hosted by WE, “Fueling Success: How Athletes Harness Collaboration, Resilience, and Wellness for Business & Life.”
Moderated by Elizabeth Karvonen, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, The Emerson Group, the session featured:
Amanda Coussoule, U.S. Chief Customer Officer, Kenvue
Jill Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Market Performance Group LLC
Colleen Lindholz, President, Kroger Health, The Kroger Co.
Faith Masonius, Former NCAA Athlete | MBA Student | Content Creator for TikTok
Lessons From the Playing Field
The leaders reflected on how their athletic experiences — from varsity basketball and dance teams to West Point training and distance running — built the foundation for their approach to business. Masonius said the discipline of sports sharpened her time-management skills and underscored the value of focus. Lindholz pointed to her time as a college dance captain as formative in understanding collaboration, practice, and the dedication required to excel.
Coussoule described sports as shaping her worldview: “Being an athlete creates the conditions where you see everything as competition — and you learn that sometimes your best isn’t enough, but you can grow from that.” She added that individual sports taught her accountability, while team sports instilled an unspoken responsibility not to let others down.
Coussoule, who graduated from West Point, emphasized that “the Army is a team sport,” and credited her military background with shaping a leadership style centered on cohesion, attention to detail, and creating the conditions for her team’s success.
Leadership and Resilience
Panelists agreed that authenticity, integrity, and accountability are essential qualities in leadership. Lindholz highlighted her role as the first woman chair of NACDS, noting the responsibility she felt: “I can’t mess this up for us women.”
When asked about role models, she called her mother the MVP of her life, someone who pushed her to believe she could do anything. Others emphasized the importance of learning not only from great coaches and bosses, but also from negative examples that reinforced the value of staying true to oneself.
Advice for Women Leaders
The session closed with advice for women aiming to lead. Masonius urged attendees to remember: “Your voice matters.” Fitzgerald encouraged women to speak up with intention, while Karvonen pushed for taking more risks.
The discussion made clear that while the scoreboard may belong to sports, the lessons in resilience, collaboration, and leadership resonate far beyond the game, shaping the next generation of leaders in retail and healthcare.
