Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor industry veteran Diane Sullivan with the 2024 Bob Campbell Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual gala on June 4 at The Glasshouse in New York.
The award was established in 2009 and is handed out every five years to honor “an individual who has shown extraordinary leadership and deep compassion,” attributes upheld by the late Mr. Campbell, the founder, chairman and CEO of BBC International and veteran of Kinney Shoes and parent firm F.W. Woolworth Co.
Sullivan, the executive chairman at Caleres, has been outspoken about the need to create a caring environment in the workplace and has been a champion for board gender equality, achieving parity at the company. She served as CEO of the St. Louis-based firm from 2011 to 2023.
The executive — who joined Caleres as president in 2004 — nabbed FN’s Person of the Year award multiple times and was inducted into the FN Hall of Fame in 2022. During the ceremony, Sullivan was full of gratitude after nearly two decades at Caleres.
“I can tell you I’m the happiest when I’m with my teams, when I’m on the floor and looking at shoes and we’re talking about how to grow business,” she said at the time. “It never felt like work. It always felt like it was the place that I was supposed to be.”
President and CEO of Two Ten Footwear Foundation Shawn Osborne said in a statement that Sullivan has been a powerful voice in the footwear industry, as well as a “transformational business leader.”
“Her leadership, ability to connect with people, and successful career have made her a role model to so many, especially women rising into executive roles,” Osborne added. “In addition to her own distinguished board service, Diane has helped advance a number of civic and charitable organizations in the St. Louis metropolitan region and beyond.”
Seth Campbell, corporate president at BBC International and the son of Bob Campbell, said in a statement that Sullivan’s “remarkable contributions to the footwear industry and dedication to gender parity, education, and healthcare truly exemplify the essence of this award.”
He also noted that Sullivan’s work ethic and commitment to philanthropy mirrored his father’s core values. “It’s a tribute that speaks volumes to their shared legacy,” Campbell said.
In addition to her legacy at Caleres, Sullivan also co-founded Two Ten’s Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) community.
“Those of us who serve on the board at Two Ten are committed to lifting lives,” Sullivan said in a statement. “We feel a deep responsibility to offer hope to footwear colleagues in need and to provide opportunity, especially for women in the business through WIFI. When we offer hardship and disaster relief, support educational dreams, and help advance careers, we’re building a more inclusive footwear community where everyone can feel they belong and know their colleagues care.”
