Always Be in Learning Mode- Deloitte Managing Director Karla Martin on the Future of Fashion, DEI, and Her Leadership Journey
“I couldn’t be more thrilled by the increased focused on diversity and inclusion in fashion. Fashion is a powerful medium, To see more diverse faces in ads, and as brand reps is a very welcome change.” Today’s woman dreamer, Karla Martin, is the Managing Director - Fashion and Apparel at Deloitte Consulting. With a passion for strategy and inclusivity, Karla shares her career journey, and how she seeks to inspire the next generation.
1. Tell us your story. You are quite the multi-faceted woman, with a career in strategy, impact advisory, and you also have your Law Degree from Harvard. What motivates you in your personal and professional life?
I am first and foremost purpose driven. I focus more on the journey than the destination and have found that that has allowed me to have a great set of experiences as well as to always be in “learning” mode. As a working mother, I find that making sure that I find purpose in the work that I do, allows me to ensure that I am making the right work-life balance choices for myself and my family
2. You are the Managing Director - Fashion & Apparel for Deloitte. That is very exciting. What are some interesting trends, from your strategy perspective, happening in the fashion industry that you are excited about?
It’s an interesting moment in fashion. We’re coming out (fingers crossed) of Covid and, while that has certainly had an irrevocable mark on fashion there are some interesting things that excite me: We’re moving away from “seasons” toward having product that consumers want ready when they want it; there are signs that going out and dress up events are coming back(!) so folks are shopping those categories again. I think last Christmas everyone was surprised that apparel was still a major category and I think that it just showed that, lockdown or not-people still have to wear clothes and even if work is from home, there is still an interest in having new looks. I’m excited to see how things like runway shows adapt to the new hybrid world of in-person and virtual. Finally, I couldn’t be more thrilled by the increased focused on diversity and inclusion in fashion. Fashion is a powerful medium, especially for young people, and to see more diverse faces in ads, and as brand reps is a very welcome change.
3. You work with several social impact causes; you are currently a Board Member at the Center of Reproductive Rights. What inspires your passion for these causes? Which causes are closest to your heart?
I am passionate about advancing outcomes for people who have been historically underrepresented no matter where that may be; the healthcare system, the C-Suite, the Boardroom. I want my children to inherit a world where the ideas of equitable inclusion is part of every facet of their lives. I have benefited from great mentorship and sponsorship and am very focused on paying that investment back to those just starting out on their journey
4. What is your advice to young women navigating their careers? How did you figure out what interests and drives you?
Try everything. Everything is a learning experience if you approach it in the spirit of growth. I was absolutely sure I wanted to be a techie until I had an experience that made me realize that I not only love fashion I love the business of fashion and retail. I am genuinely interested in people and their stories and I have found that when I listen to them it often seeds ideas that I hadn’t considered before
6. As the platform for women dreamers, what is your next big dream?
My current dream is for things to get back to the new normal; I have cherished being home with my kids but I love seeing them able to get out and be with their friends, and I’m thrilled to be able to share meals with my friends as well. Professionally, my dream remains seeing more diversity in all areas of life in the US
Thank you Karla for sharing your story with us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
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