University of North Texas 
Sharon M. Leite
(Keynote Speaker)
CEO and Board Director, Omni Retail Enterprises (OMNI)
About
Sharon M. Leite is a consumer focused, transformation and brand-growth executive,
board director and advisor who currently serves on the board of Lovesac (NASDAQ: LOVE),
is a managing partner of Charney Capital, and serves as an advisor for Women in Retail
Leadership, AEA Investors and the TCU Neeley School of Business.
Currently, Ms. Leite is the CEO of Omni Retail Enterprises (OMNI), a lifestyle portfolio of digital storefronts and communities which owns iconic brands Pier 1 Imports, Dress Barn, Bodybuilding.com, Modell’s Sporting Goods, SteinMart, Linens-N-Things, Franklin Mint, and Ralph & Russo. Leite is known for building brands, assembling formidable teams, leading digital transformations and executing successful turnarounds; she is currently leading OMNI’s reinvention strategy.
Prior to OMNI she was the CEO of Ideal Image® and led a transformation and brand-growth strategy bringing industry-leading innovation, quality, expertise and operational excellence to the growing category of aesthetics, beauty, and wellness. She joined Ideal Image® from The Vitamin Shoppe, where she was CEO. The Vitamin Shoppe is an omni-channel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle company with more than 700 directly operated stores and 20 franchise locations under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements™ banners, an e-commerce and wholesale business. During her tenure Ms. Leite delivered the best financial performance in the company’s 45-year history, launched a new technology-driven retail format, opened distribution to new sales channels, increased development and growth of a private portfolio of brands, introduced personalization initiatives, and expanded the business into Asia. Under her watch, the company was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers. She was also featured in an episode of CBS’s hit reality show Undercover Boss in 2021.
Ms. Leite joined The Vitamin Shoppe from Godiva Chocolatier, where she was President of the Americas and led a turnaround that returned the North American business to profitability. Ms. Leite held leadership positions with increasing responsibilities at Pier 1 Imports, Bath & Body Works (L Brands), Gap Inc., and The Walt Disney Company. Ms. Leite is a member of The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and Extraordinary Women on Boards. In addition, she is committed to giving back to her community through the United Way, Habitat for Humanity and has served on the Boards of The National Retail Federation, United Way of Tarrant County and Performing Arts Fort Worth.
She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family & friends, traveling, is an avid fan of the arts, a frequent theater and concert goer and you’ll often find her in a gym or fitness studio.
Currently, Ms. Leite is the CEO of Omni Retail Enterprises (OMNI), a lifestyle portfolio of digital storefronts and communities which owns iconic brands Pier 1 Imports, Dress Barn, Bodybuilding.com, Modell’s Sporting Goods, SteinMart, Linens-N-Things, Franklin Mint, and Ralph & Russo. Leite is known for building brands, assembling formidable teams, leading digital transformations and executing successful turnarounds; she is currently leading OMNI’s reinvention strategy.
Prior to OMNI she was the CEO of Ideal Image® and led a transformation and brand-growth strategy bringing industry-leading innovation, quality, expertise and operational excellence to the growing category of aesthetics, beauty, and wellness. She joined Ideal Image® from The Vitamin Shoppe, where she was CEO. The Vitamin Shoppe is an omni-channel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle company with more than 700 directly operated stores and 20 franchise locations under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements™ banners, an e-commerce and wholesale business. During her tenure Ms. Leite delivered the best financial performance in the company’s 45-year history, launched a new technology-driven retail format, opened distribution to new sales channels, increased development and growth of a private portfolio of brands, introduced personalization initiatives, and expanded the business into Asia. Under her watch, the company was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers. She was also featured in an episode of CBS’s hit reality show Undercover Boss in 2021.
Ms. Leite joined The Vitamin Shoppe from Godiva Chocolatier, where she was President of the Americas and led a turnaround that returned the North American business to profitability. Ms. Leite held leadership positions with increasing responsibilities at Pier 1 Imports, Bath & Body Works (L Brands), Gap Inc., and The Walt Disney Company. Ms. Leite is a member of The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and Extraordinary Women on Boards. In addition, she is committed to giving back to her community through the United Way, Habitat for Humanity and has served on the Boards of The National Retail Federation, United Way of Tarrant County and Performing Arts Fort Worth.
She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family & friends, traveling, is an avid fan of the arts, a frequent theater and concert goer and you’ll often find her in a gym or fitness studio.