Lydia Smith

Lydia Smith is Chief Diversity Officer & Vice President Inclusive Marketing at Victoria’s Secret & Co., where she spearheads the company’s DEI efforts to welcome and celebrate every associate, partner and customer from all backgrounds, abilities, and life stages.

After joining VS&Co in June 2021, Lydia led the work to develop the company’s first Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Team and launch a DEI Council, while integrating DEI into every part of the business through a strategy focused on People, Experience and Purpose. She leads the creation of diverse and inclusive storytelling aimed at acquiring and retaining an emerging diverse consumer base. Prior to this role, Lydia was the Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Kohl’s, where she was responsible for implementing the company’s internal strategy for attracting, developing, and advancing a diverse workforce and their external strategy for connecting to a more diverse customer population.

Prior to Kohl’s, Lydia held DEI leadership, IT, and marketing roles at Northwestern Mutual and
General Electric Healthcare where she began her career in their Global Information Technology Leadership Program.

Lydia received her MBA from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She holds certifications for effective decision making from Yale University and diversity and inclusion from Cornell University. Lydia is a certified personal and executive coach and adjunct professor.