Current speakers

Alicia Waters is the President of global home furnishings brands Crate & Barrel and Crate & Kids, where she drives the iconic, 60+-year-old brand’s vision, innovation, and growth in the ever-evolving retail landscape. Possessing a strong eye for design and passion for excellence, Alicia is accountable for all aspects of the Crate omnichannel business and team across product, people, channels, and marketing.

Alicia's leadership style is customer-centric and focused on brand transformation and growth.  She has over 25 years of experience across companies and industries, including Mars Wrigley, Gap Inc, Crate & Barrel Holdings (CBH), and Kraft Foods. At CBH, she has worn multiple hats (CMO, Kids GM, and President) and worked across all brands (CB2, Crate & Barrel, Crate & Kids, and Hudson Grace), with each role marked by major transformation of positioning, product, omnichannel approach, growth strategies, and partnerships.

Balance and agility are part of Alicia’s core competencies. She grew her career while actively raising her two children. In 2017, after experiencing significant health issues she pivoted, moving to Paris with her husband and children for two years, which inspired some of her greatest successes both personally and professionally.

Alicia holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Organizational Behavior from Miami University.  She is an active member of the Founders' Board of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She loves practicing her French, spending her personal time with family and friends, traveling, continuously learning, and practicing meditating.