Keynote Speaker

Beth Pritchard

Former President and CEO of Bath & Body Works
Former CEO of The White Barn Candle Company
Founder and former CEO of Victoria’s Secret Beauty
Former board member of Cabela’s Inc.
…and numerous global leadership positions

Beth Pritchard is an icon and a pioneer with years of accomplishments at some of the most recognizable brands in the world! She is bringing her experience to the #WLS2023 stage to help Advance the Leaders of Tomorrow.

Ms. Pritchard served as Principal and Strategic Advisor to Sunrise Beauty Studio, a company developing third party personal care products and fine fragrances 2009 – 2017.  Ms. Pritchard also served as North American Advisor 2008-2013 for The Alshaya Group; the world’s largest franchisee group based in the Middle East.  Ms. Pritchard brought her American-style specialty retail knowledge to the operations of Alshaya, a global operation with over 70 brands and vast brick-and-mortar holdings in 19 countries and over 2,800 stores throughout the Middle East and North Africa to Russia, Turkey and Europe.

Previously Ms. Pritchard was President and CEO, then Vice-Chairman of Dean & DeLuca where she oversaw the revamping and revitalization of the catalog and web businesses as well as establishing their Middle East franchising operations.

Perhaps best known for her role as President and CEO of Bath & Body Works, a purveyor of healthy, natural, good-for-you beauty products, Ms. Pritchard grew a tiny company based in Columbus, Ohio into a national chain of over 1,600 stores with sales over $2 billion, establishing Bath & Body Works as the fastest-growing specialty retailer of the decade.  With virtually no advertising, Ms. Pritchard created a powerful and vibrant brand recognized by more than 95% of American women.  During the same period, Ms. Pritchard founded and served as CEO for The White Barn Candle Company with sales of $200 million.  She also was CEO of Victoria’s Secret Beauty with sales of $400 million.

Prior to joining Bath & Body Works, Ms. Pritchard was the first woman to become Vice President at SC Johnson, a family-owned company in Racine, Wisconsin.  There she supervised the global insect control brands, including Raid Insecticides and Off! repellants and established ground-breaking strategic alliances with major multi-nationals in Germany.

Ms. Pritchard earned her MBA at Marquette University, studied International Business Management at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in Lucerne Switzerland and has attended and spoken at numerous international business seminars.

Ms. Pritchard currently serves as the Lead Independent Director on the Board of Directors for e.l.f. Cosmetics, Inc.  Ms. Pritchard previously served on the Boards of Intimate Brands, Albertsons, Borders Books, Ecolab, Shoppers Drug Mart (acquired by Loblaw March 2014), Zale Corp (acquired by Signet May 2014), Borderfree, Inc. (acquired by Pitney Bowes June 2015), Bpeace.org (non-profit), Cabela’s, Inc. (acquired by Bass Pro Shops September 2017), Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. (serving the maximum term of 10 years) and Loblaw Companies Limited.

Ms. Pritchard is married and has a daughter.

Register today to join us and hear from this incredible leader.