LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT SERIES: AN INTERVIEW WITH SUE VENTURA

November 14, 2025

In our Leadership Spotlight Series, we are highlighting executives across our Company who are driving innovation, transforming business practices, and positively impacting the communities where we live and work.

Sue Ventura, Vice President of Sales, Kids, based in New York City, has been with Centric Brands for over 18 years. Sue’s passion for people, partnership, and growth shines through in everything she does, from how she leads her team to how she navigates challenges alongside her business partners.

Leading with Authenticity and Energy
For Sue, incorporating Centric’s leadership commitments begins with a genuine passion for the work and the people doing it. She’s determined to create an environment where team members feel both empowered and supported, a delicate balance that requires intention and care.

“At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating an environment where people feel empowered, supported, and excited to grow.” Sue Ventura

That philosophy defines Sue’s approach to autonomy: give people ownership of their projects and the freedom to make decisions; while ensuring they never feel alone in that responsibility. She takes pride in helping others uncover strengths they didn’t know they had, especially watching newer employees begin to flourish. Her team knows they can always turn to her, for a brainstorm, to troubleshoot a challenge, or simply to talk things through over afternoon candy.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities
When tariff implementations created challenges, Sue leaned into open communication and transparency. By fostering honest dialogue with both her internal teams and buying partners, she built the kind of trust that turns obstacles into opportunities. Her focus remained steady: find solutions that work for everyone and use every challenge as a chance to do business smarter and stronger.

The Power of Showing Up
Sue’s leadership is grounded in one guiding principle: be the person you’d want to work with. That mindset extends beyond her immediate team, influencing how she approaches every relationship across the organization. Over time, she’s learned that consistency, empathy, positivity, and clear communication are the foundations of trust and the starting point for long-term success.

When asked what advice she’d give her younger self, Sue’s answer reflects the same growth mindset that continues to define her leadership:

“Stay curious. Ask questions that don’t have easy answers. The smartest people aren’t the ones who know the most, they’re the ones who keep learning.” Sue Ventura

Beyond the Office
Outside of work, Sue brings that same spirit of adventure and authenticity to everything she does. Friends describe her as someone always up for trying something new, even if it occasionally results in a few broken bones and plenty of great stories. She shows up for the people in her life with honesty, humor, and heart, qualities that make her both a trusted colleague and a cherished friend.

Sue’s leadership journey at Centric Brands is a testament to the power of passion, partnership, and purpose. By leading with authenticity and investing deeply in her people, she’s built a culture where teams thrive, challenges spark innovation, and success is shared by all.