The global retail and eCommerce industry is defined by constantly shifting consumer expectations, disruptive technologies, and the uncertain nature of macroeconomic changes. Within it, a new generation of leaders has risen to redefine how the sector grows and adapts. They are CEOs, founders, and strategists, who built businesses that speak to underserved audiences, pioneer new technologies, and guide brands through their most critical evolutions.

To celebrate the upcoming SheInnovates event in December, we’re spotlighting five inspiring eCom tech leaders who inspire, innovate, and show the eCommerce industry what’s possible. They embody the changing face of retail – marking key turning points for an industry racing toward a digital-first future.

“As the world becomes more advanced with AI, we’re going to need to become even more grounded in our humanity.”
– Helena Shannon, Founder & CEO, Arkhive Digital

Helena Shannon has carved out a niche as a leader who blends strategic vision with technical depth in commerce. As the founder and CEO of Arkhive Digital, she oversees a modern commerce agency focused on delivering scalable solutions for enterprise retailers. Shannon positions Arkhive as more than an implementation partner; under her guidance, the agency emphasizes execution excellence, customer experience, and integration strategies that allow brands to grow without friction. With a leadership philosophy rooted in people-first values, Shannon ensures that digital transformation doesn’t come at the expense of organizational culture. Her experience working with enterprise-level eCommerce systems and integrations position Arkhive as an important player in the retail tech ecosystem. Shannon’s career embodies the new wave of digital agency leadership – entrepreneurial, pragmatic, and deeply attuned to the demands of retail and eCommerce.

“At the end of the day, we’re all human and we want to feel purposeful in our work and lives. No amount of technology is going to change that. In eCommerce especially – where our clients’ customers are individual consumers – we can’t lose sight of the emotions, motivations, and human behaviors that drive everything.”
– Helena Shannon, Founder & CEO, Arkhive Digital

Meet Helena Shannon at the next SheInnovates event, sponsored by SCAYLE, in Los Angeles.

“If a brand truly understands its customer and creates experiences that matter to them, loyalty will follow.”
– Jesse Sage, Head of Client Strategy, The Maze Group

Jesse Sage has made her mark by guiding retailers through the increasingly complex world of digital transformation. As Head of Client Strategy at The Maze Group, she works with enterprise clients to shape eCommerce roadmaps that balance technology, revenue strategy, and customer experience. Sage’s career has spanned leadership roles at digital agencies such as Fluid and Spring Studios, and she most recently served as EVP of Revenue Strategy at Astound Digital. This trajectory has given her a front-row seat to the rapid shift from legacy commerce platforms to agile, cloud-based systems. At Maze, she leads P&L ownership and go-to-market delivery for global retailers, helping brands replatform to future-ready eCommerce platforms like SCAYLE. Her expertise lies in translating technological upgrades into sustainable revenue growth, making her a trusted partner to retailers navigating the pressures of digital-first commerce.

“Taking the time to really think through a problem, digest the approach, and stress test where we might be missing something is invaluable. We can move quickly and still think critically. In fact, the best results come from pushing ourselves and our clients to look at challenges holistically and creatively. And this does more than deliver growth – it shows clients how much we care.”
– Jesse Sage, Head of Client Strategy, The Maze Group

“Stay the course. Be prepared to capitalize on luck when it arrives. Resilience is #1.”
– Mariah Chase, Founder & CEO, Ekyam.ai

Mariah Chase has spent her career championing underserved markets and pushing the boundaries of retail innovation. Best known for her near decade-long leadership tenure as CEO of ELOQUII, the digitally native plus-size fashion brand acquired by Walmart in 2018, she built a business that combined community-driven storytelling with data-led merchandising. Before that, she co-founded Send the Trend, an online accessories retailer snapped up by QVC, and held leadership roles with luxury labels like Kara Ross New York.

More recently, Chase has turned her expertise to retail technology, founding Ekyam.ai, a retail integration platform designed to streamline fragmented digital stacks. Her career illustrates a consistent theme: bringing new models to market – whether through inclusive fashion or middleware innovation – that challenge conventions and respond to the evolving needs of eCommerce. Thus, she remains a prominent voice at the intersection of retail, technology, and consumer advocacy.

“There are so many rich insights and opportunities in underserved markets. They may not be the most linear growth opportunities or easiest to break through but if you can set expectations, listen intently and deliver on a promise, you will never find a more loyal customer.”
– Mariah Chase, Founder & CEO, Ekyam.ai

“Doing meaningful work, with people who care deeply, is the most fulfilling kind of success.”
– Brandee Johnson, Founder & CEO, LimeLight Marketing

From founding LimeLight Marketing in a small Kansas town to leading it onto the Inc. 5000 list, Brandee Johnson has proven that big ideas thrive outside traditional industry hubs. Since 2015, Johnson has scaled LimeLight into a nationally recognized agency specializing in eCommerce strategy, creative, and performance marketing. Her team of more than two dozen specialists partners with retail brands to design and optimize storefronts, run data-driven advertising, and build customer journeys that convert. Johnson’s career demonstrates her talent for marrying entrepreneurial grit with marketing acumen, helping DTC brands grow and compete in saturated markets. With LimeLight, she has carved out a purpose-driven niche that elevates retail businesses through smart technology use and storytelling. Johnson exemplifies a new breed of agency founder; community-rooted yet globally minded, driving growth for clients in the dynamic eCommerce economy.

“At LimeLight, our culture is shaped by values that are more than words on a wall. We lead with transparency. We prioritize long-term relationships over short-term wins. And we show up every day to squeeze the most out of our work. I believe careers should enrich lives, and that belief guides how we build teams, lead clients, and grow this company.”
– Brandee Johnson, Founder & CEO, LimeLight Marketing

Meet more than 200 of the brightest minds in business, branding, and culture at SheInnovates in December this year and fuel your mind with powerful conversation, curated panels and interactive experiences.