Tacey Powers sings when she cries.
And the executive vice president and general merchandise manager of shoes, accessories, home and kids at Nordstrom was singing a few bars at Two Ten‘s annual gala on June 2 at The Glasshouse in New York. The event drew about 750 people and raised nearly $650,000 to fund relief, hardship and education programs.
Powers was overcome with emotion as she accepted Two Ten’s 2026 WIFI Impact Award, which honored her commitment to supporting and empowering women in the industry.
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“I’m a crier and when I cry, I start to sing,” she said, adding that her 40 years at Nordstrom has focused on the retailer’s mantra that the “customer is the center at everything we do.”
Powers was presented her award by Susan Itzkowitz, the former president of Marc Fisher. She also acknowledged Itzkowitz’s contribution to the footwear industry and thanked her for her mentorship.
The Nordstrom executive said that WIFI (Women in the Footwear Industry) gives women a place to grow and find each other, as well as show up for one other and “make the path easier for those coming up.”
The gala also honored Mark Lardie, former president and CEO of Rack Room Shoes, with the A.A. Bloom Memorial Award in recognition of his extraordinary service to Two Ten — and the industry — for three decades.
“I’m humbled,” Lardie said in his acceptance speech, noting that Two Ten has in its charter that “when a shoe person comes for help, [you] have to help.” He noted that the footwear industry is filled with great companies, and even better people.
Two Ten president and CEO Shawn Osborne opened this year’s gala, noting that the original idea to help colleagues in need “has grown into a mission.” Noting that the hardships footwear families face range from medical to housing to natural disasters, the CEO emphasized that through Two Ten the “members of our community have support [that they need] during their hardest moments.” He said that in the organization’s most recent year, the Foundation awarded nearly $2 million to families facing hardships.
Jonathan Frankel, president of Aldo Product Services and Two Ten Board Chair, emphasized that through Two Ten, “no one in our industry faces hardship alone. Two Ten is there quietly, compassionately,” adding that valuable support is only possible because of the donations from the footwear community.
Two Ten scholars Joanna Ezzard and Joy Batra also spoke about how receiving college scholarships helps them in their respective fields.