Puma executive Katie Darling understands that women’s needs in the workplace vary from person to person.
“There is so much about mental health and balance in the world right now, and all of that is really important, but that doesn’t look the same for everybody,” said the vice president of direct-to-consumer in North America. “That’s one of the things that’s hard, because as a company or even as a person, you have to really understand what’s important to you and what that looks like and feels like because it’s different for everyone.”
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Throughout her time at Puma, Darling has experienced many sides of the company — wholesale, retail, planning, operations, marketing, strategy — all of which have helped her understand the bigger picture and how the pieces fit together. And over the years, Darling has noticed societal trends related to women and their careers.
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“When I was younger in my career, there was this thing of, like, ‘You can have it all,'” Darling said. “I don’t think so. I think you do have to make choices and trade-offs, and that’s the same with everything in life. You make sacrifices for your family to be able to give them the opportunities you want them to have, or just to be present, and you make sacrifices to have a career as well. So to me, no, you don’t get to just have it all, but if you’re clear on what’s important to you, you can make that happen.”
Darling also wanted to shout out the people in her life who have helped her find clarity and get where she is today.
“The other thing that I definitely believe has helped me in my career is other women — and men,” Darling said. “Quite honestly, I’ve had some amazing male leaders who [gave] you the opportunity to be seen and be heard and to share what you have to offer. That’s one of the biggest things, is where can you give someone else the opportunity to be seen and to share what they have to offer?”
A version of this article appeared in the June 1 print issue of FN, as part of the “Women Who Rock” special section. On June 3, FN and Two Ten Footwear Foundation will honor these women at the annual live event in New York City.