Maria Carlton

I attribute my success to emotional intelligence and a genuine curiosity about people. I’ve built my career by understanding what motivates others, what challenges them, and how to create clarity in moments of change. Whether I was leading global go-to-market transformation at Under Armour or now advising brands through Forth & Forward, my approach has always been about connecting strategy to humanity. As a woman who built her career during times of rapid change, I’ve learned that success often comes from combining intuition with action. My strength has been in aligning people, purpose, and process so organizations can move forward with confidence. I believe progress happens when you lead with empathy and pair it with execution. That blend of heart and structure has been the foundation of most of what I have achieved.

The best advice I’ve ever received is to never put yourself in a box. Stay open to opportunities that stretch you and trust your instincts about what feels right. Every major turning point in my career has come from saying yes before I had every detail figured out. That mindset led me to transformation work, public speaking, and now the MIT Technology Leadership Program. I joined the program because I have a growth mindset and believe in leaning into change, especially as AI and emerging technology reshape what the future of retail and business will look like. My goal is to combine my deep experience in retail strategy with new technical fluency to help brands build stronger, more human-centered systems that can evolve with the world around them.

Stay open, say yes, and trust your intuition. Some of the best opportunities don’t look perfect on paper. I once participated in a virtual roundtable to share insights on retail innovation and AI. A recruiter happened to be in the audience, which led me to learn more about MIT’s Technology Leadership Program. I applied, was accepted, and it became one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. For young women entering retail and technology, my advice is to show up and stay curious. Don’t wait until you feel fully ready. Speak up, take space, and learn everything you can. This industry moves fast, but it still runs on relationships and creativity. When you bring authenticity and curiosity into every room, people will remember you.

The biggest challenge and opportunity in retail today is how we integrate technology in ways that empower people rather than replace them. AI and automation are transforming how we design, market, and sell, but they will only succeed when paired with strong processes and capable teams who know how to use them as the powerful tools they are. The performance of AI is only as strong as the people and systems behind it. At the same time, there is growing responsibility around sustainability and circularity. I am deeply passionate about resale and thrifting. I love the hunt, the story behind every piece, and the individuality it inspires. My sister owns a sustainable resale business called The Thrifter Chicks, which she built around our shared passion for finding and reimagining treasures. It connects my personal love for the circular economy with my professional commitment to helping brands operate more responsibly.

Connection, integrity, and empowerment guide everything I do. I believe in creating momentum for others - helping brands evolve, helping teams grow, and helping women step into leadership with confidence. Mentoring women in retail has always been close to my heart, but I also care deeply about women’s empowerment across all industries and life stages. Community and sustainability are personal values for me. I find so much joy in thrifting and supporting my sister’s business, The Thrifter Chicks, which celebrates creativity and conscious consumption. It reminds me that fashion, business, and leadership can all be forces for good. For me, success is about creating impact that lasts and showing up with purpose in everything I do.