Melissa Worth | eTail Boston

Melissa Worth

SVP Americas New Balance

Melissa Worth is the SVP Americas at New Balance Athletics, a top global manufacturer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. She leads the Americas business for New Balance and is responsible for retail, wholesale, e-commerce, marketing, and operations for the region with dotted functions including merchandising and finance. In this role, Worth drives the elevation and reach of New Balance’s brand each day — bringing vision, motivation, and deep industry expertise. Worth leads with a future vision that ensures both the brand and the team are highly competitive in today’s ever-changing environment. She empowers those around her and believes that building teamwork and trust elicits dynamic results in associate performance and the overall business.

Prior to joining the New Balance team in late 2018, Worth served as President of Perry Ellis, a leading designer, distributor and licensor of men’s and women’s apparel, accessories, and fragrances. During her 13 years at Perry Ellis, Worth built a team that cultivated the brand’s omni-channel approach and paved a path for the integration of technology and apparel, leading to a new and versatile product offering for the male consumer and making Perry Ellis a true innovator in the category.

As a retail industry veteran and brand innovator, Worth has a deep knowledge of the space that she has accumulated throughout her career. Worth previously held positions at Puma and TJX, which included an executive training program. Worth discovered her inherent passion for retail when she held positions as Store Manager at Esprit and Filene’s post-college.

Worth holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Miami. She is on the advisory board for WIFI (Women in the footwear industry), a member of the Board of Trustees for the Boston’s Children Museum, and a former board member of Bottomless Closet, a non-profit that works to reduce barriers NYC women face in the search for employment. She has also mentored for WOMEN Unlimited, INC, as well as judged for the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund. She splits her time between Boston and New York where she resides with her family.

Main Day Two: Wednesday, August 13

10:20 AM Fireside Chat: Lacing Up for the Next Era of Growth: Winning Retail Strategies with New Balance

How does a century-old brand not just stay relevant, but get younger and resonate across generations? In this fireside chat, you’ll hear from Melissa Worth, SVP Americas at New Balance, as she shares how the in-demand, premium athletic brand is sprinting into the future of retail with a vision that fuses heritage and innovation. As New Balance races towards its goal of becoming a $10 billion global brand, Melissa will share insights from the private company’s authentic and impactful retail growth in the Americas—one that’s deeply rooted in purpose, driven by community, and powered by a next-gen omnichannel strategy. Expect to hear more about:

  • Winning the hearts and minds of Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennials, and beyond: forging meaningful partnerships with iconic athletes and creators to build connections where it counts
  • Harnessing the strength of retail partnerships: understanding how trusted collaborators, wholesale partners, and savvy distribution strategies continue to fuel growth, reach, and momentum
  • Staying true to brand DNA: remaining rooted in heritage and a purpose-led culture while fearlessly innovating to meet the expectations of tomorrow’s consumer in a fast-moving retail landscape

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Melissa.

Download The Latest Agenda