Changing the Conversation

Fighting for Respect with the Equal Rights Amendment with Marcy Syms

Written by: Marcy Syms on August 29, 2025

New Book from Marcy Syms. On Sale Now. Fighting for Respect, From the Backroom to the Boardroom https://youtu.be/YAbEAqIVxzU

Monday Morning Radio Podcast

Written by: Marcy Syms on August 10, 2025

It Was True in 1959, It’s Still True Today: An Educated Consumer Is the Best Customer Marcy Syms became the youngest female president of a publicly traded New York Stock Exchange company when she was named to the position with her family’s business in 1983.

5 Ways to Cultivate Respect in the Workplace

Written by: Marcy Syms on July 27, 2025

CEO Insider Written by Marcy Syms Original Article: https://ceoworld.biz/2025/07/27/5-ways-to-cultivate-respect-in-the-workplace/ July 27, 2025 Respect isn’t just a cultural buzzword, it’s a leadership imperative. In my years as a CEO, board chair, and advisor across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, I’ve seen firsthand that the presence or

How workplace disrespect is costing your business

Written by: Marcy Syms on July 25, 2025

Disengagement, spiraling health costs, and high turnover are just some ways disrespect affects the workplace culture, writes Marcy Syms. 5 min read - Published in SmartBrief By Marcy Syms 07/25/25 Nuthawut Somsuk/Getty Images What if I told you that businesses that lead with respect could collectively save

How Respect-Based Leadership Can be the Antidote to “Quiet Cracking”

Written by: Marcy Syms on July 24, 2025

When you lead with respect, people commit. They stay. They innovate. And they pass that energy on to customers and colleagues alike. A troubling new trend is surfacing in today’s workforce, and this one doesn’t showcase dramatic burnout or flashy resignation videos. It appears quietly

Why Teaching Respect as a Leadership Skill Is a Retention Strategy — Not a “Nice-to-Have”

Written by: Marcy Syms on July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025 - Marcy Syms - 3 min read Employee retention has become one of the most pressing challenges facing organizations today. With turnover at historic highs and engagement levels near record lows, the solution cannot be found in another bonus program or benefits

Dressing for Self-Respect: Work Wardrobe Secrets with Fashion Expert

Written by: Marcy Syms on July 8, 2025

https://omny.fm/shows/best-of-both-worlds/dressing-for-self-respect-work-wardrobe-secrets-with-fashion-expert-marcy-syms-ep-414 In today’s episode, Sarah interviews Marcy Syms, former CEO of an apparel corporation and current founding trustee and president of the Sy Syms Foundation. Marcy believes that clothing is a form of self-respect, and a powerful PR tool. She discusses why it makes sense

Make Time for Reflection and Feedback: Interview with Marcy Syms, Former CEO of Syms Corp.

Written by: Marcy Syms on July 4, 2025

My conversation with Marcy Syms, Former CEO of Syms Corp. By Adam Mendler I recently went one-on-one with Marcy Syms. Marcy is the former CEO of Syms Corp. and was the youngest female president of an NYSE-listed company. Marcy is also the author of Leading

Quiet Cracking Is Costing You More Than You Think

Written by: Marcy Syms on June 23, 2025

Here’s how HR can stop it early Highlights Quiet cracking is a subtle form of employee disengagement that can go unnoticed but has a serious impact on morale and retention. Respect, not perks or technology, is the key to rebuilding trust and keeping employees connected

‘Quiet cracking’: Is respect the solution to employee disengagement?

Written by: Marcy Syms on May 27, 2025

By:Tom Starner Employee engagement is a persistent and increasingly pressing problem for HR. A recent Gallup study, for instance, found that just 31% of U.S. employees say they are currently engaged at work, a red flag for talent leaders that their workforce may be struggling—and

Women Leaders – Respect And Trust

Written by: Marcy Syms on January 23, 2025

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Building a Legacy of Respect and Success with Marcy Syms | Positively Ernie The Podcast

Written by: Marcy Syms on November 27, 2024

https://youtu.be/Yay8fty5_BM?si=aHj8SfgsEhEPnQ7Z Nov 27, 2024 Positively Ernie: The Podcast In this episode, Ernie Anastos interviews Marcy Syms, former CEO of Syms Corporation. Marcy shares her father's legacy, her journey to becoming one of the youngest CEOs in 1983, and insights on running a family business. She

TAKING CARE IN AMERICA

Written by: Marcy Syms on September 3, 2024

“If not a village…..how about a backup plan?” We know caregiving is stressful, underpaid and does not receive the respect it deserves for holding our society together. It’s important, and generally overlooked, that a key role of the caregiver is to take care of themselves

True Equality in the NY Constitution, Finally

Written by: Marcy Syms on June 13, 2022

By Marcy Syms and Ting Ting Cheng New York Daily News • Jun 01, 2022 at 8:00 am The Legislature is on the verge of updating New York’s Constitution, pulling it into the 21st century. The Senate will hopefully vote this week on a resolution that

HADASSAH HOSTS “THE POWER OF PURPOSE,” ITS FIRST WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE

Written by: Marcy Syms on January 10, 2022

NEW YORK, NY (December 9, 2021) – On Sunday, January 9, from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm EST, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA), hosted “The Power of Purpose,” a national conference and the organization’s first to celebrate women’s empowerment. The event, which took place

If Not Now, When?

Written by: Marcy Syms on January 10, 2022

https://christadowling.wordpress.com/2021/11/16/if-not-now-when%ef%bf%bc/ An interview by Christa Dowling The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking. Albert Einstein (German/American physicist 1879-1955) Whenever I read or hear about women’s rights or human rights, I equate it

The Time Facebook Contemplated Life Without Zuckerberg

Written by: Marcy Syms on November 3, 2021

Mark Zuckerberg Is Under Fire. Is Facebook Better Without Him? By Matt Peterson Oct. 26, 2021 8:44 am ET Mark Zuckerberg’s departure from Facebook is so unlikely it’s difficult to even contemplate. At 37, he owns the majority of the company’s voting shares and is CEO and

American Families Plan can pave the way for a gender equity New Deal

Written by: Marcy Syms on September 9, 2021

May 3, 2021 by Ting Ting and Marcy Syms - Opinion Contributors Last week President Biden released the American Families Plan, phase two of the administration’s infrastructure and economic recovery program. This second piece of legislation is expected to expand child care, paid leave and

The ERA: The Amendment is Just the Beginning

Written by: Marcy Syms on March 6, 2021

It’s been 100 years since the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was first introduced as the 28th Amendment to the US Constitution, but recently renewed interest has caused it to inch much closer to ratification. Why? One reason is that policymakers are becoming more aware that by adding

Marcy Syms Honored as one of 2018’s Most Influencial Corporate Directors

Written by: Marcy Syms on December 5, 2020

WomenInc. magazine announced the release of their 2018 WomenInc.’s Most Influential Corporate Directors listing in the upcoming winter 2018 edition. WomenInc.’s fall edition features a directory of over 560 directors serving on the boards of S&P 500/Big-Cap publicly held companies. As a leading business magazine reporting on women’s success and achievement, the Women

Survival Guide on Preparing For Board Meetings

Written by: Marcy Syms on March 7, 2019

Survival Guide: How Marcy Syms Prepares for Board Meetings By Directors & Boards, - First Quarter 2019 Marcy Syms goes into board meetings with one thing on her mind — profitability. Not only profitability for shareholders, but for all stakeholders. She considers this the difference

Meet the 2018 Feminist Power Award Honorees

Written by: Marcy Syms on September 3, 2018

Social Entrepreneur; Philanthropist & Chair, ERA Coalition Marcy Syms is the founding trustee and president of the Sy Syms Foundation and president of TPD Group LLC, a multigenerational succession planning company. She is the former chair and CEO of SYMS, one of the first companies to

Marcy Syms Hosts 2018 Elly Awards

Written by: Marcy Syms on July 18, 2018

Marcy Syms, Former Chairman and CEO of Syms Corporation, was the Chair of the 2018 Elly Awards on June 8th at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The Women's Forum of New York is dedicated to the advancement of women's leadership through programs which

Don’t Trade Pay for Flexibility

Written by: Marcy Syms on May 6, 2017

Art by Eli Miller by Callie Enlow It’s Equal Pay Day, reminding us that the gender wage gap persists, particularly in the United States, where women earn about 80 cents to a man’s dollar. The Institute of Women’s Policy Research estimates that if progress on

Creation of a new Smithsonian Museum of American Women’s History on the National Mall

Written by: Marcy Syms on December 4, 2016

Congresswoman Praises Commission’s Bipartisan Cooperation, Will Work to Craft Legislation to Establish Museum on National Mall NEW YORK – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), lead House sponsor of the bill to create a Congressional Commission to study a national women’s history museum, today was joined

21 Leaders for the 21st Century

Written by: Marcy Syms on January 5, 2015

NEW YORK (WOMENSENEWS)--The interruption of the powerful narratives that shape and reinforce cultures is a primary requirement for the movement for the equality and equity of women and girls. This task is central to our mission. Women's eNews is proud to announce today the Women's

Jewish Women’s Archive, Sharing Stories, Inspiring Change

Written by: Marcy Syms on October 13, 2014

Marcy Syms became one of the youngest female presidents of a New York Stock Exchange-traded company when her family’s business, Syms Corp., went public in 1983. Sy Syms founded his retail clothing store chain in 1958, and his daughter Marcy joined the company in 1978

Directors to Watch 2014, Marcy Syms

Written by: Marcy Syms on October 13, 2014

MARCY SYMS Director, Rite Aid Corp., Benco Dental An independent director for private and public companies and social entrepreneur, Marcy Syms is the president of TPD Group LLC, a multigenerational succession planning and consulting company, and president of the Syms Foundation. Before it’s reorganization, Marcy

The Unintended Consequences of Taking a Company Public

Written by: Marcy Syms on June 19, 2014

Many private business owners buy into the hype of taking their company public without fully understanding what they’re getting themselves into with an IPO. Why? Because they look at an improving economy, the projected financial rewards, and a “way out” which can be quite tempting.

Sy Syms Foundation gift honors family’s love one

Written by: Marcy Syms on May 28, 2014

The Sy Syms Foundation made its first gift to the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in 2010. But the roots of that gift reach back 30 years and tell the story of an American family founded on hard work and dedicated to philanthropy. Sy Syms was

Sy Syms Gala Awards Dinner

Written by: Marcy Syms on May 28, 2014

Mort Zuckerman to Receive First-Ever Sy Syms Humanitarian Award at April 23 Gala The Student Council of the Sy Syms School of Business will be presenting Mortimer B. Zuckerman with the first-ever Sy Syms Humanitarian Award, in recognition of his humanitarian efforts and ethical business practices throughout

Alums Elected to Board of Overseers

Written by: Marcy Syms on May 28, 2014

New members to begin serving immediately [caption id="attachment_1891" align="aligncenter" width="555"] Bruce J. Feirstein (COM’75) (from left), Marcy Syms (COM’75), Maya Ezratti Rosenblum (COM’98), and Shamim A. Dahod (CGS’76, CAS’78, MED’87) (not pictured) will begin serving immediately.[/caption] Four University alumni — an internist, a screenwriter, the

The ‘Cosmo 100′ Starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Seinfeld; The Wednesday Crowd with Star Jones and Doris Kearns Goodwin

Written by: Marcy Syms on May 28, 2014

As you probably know by now, only the most extreme circumstances could keep the faithful from their usual lunch at Michael’s. Since Mother Nature proved to be too formidable a force for us on not one, but two back-to-back Wednesdays, we were only too happy to

Sy Syms Gala Celebrates Success, Ethics

Written by: Marcy Syms on May 28, 2014

Business School Honors Students and Faculty at Annual Awards Dinner Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business celebrated its 27th anniversary and the graduating class of 2014 with a gala awards dinner on April 30 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. The evening honored students and faculty

Welcome to my blog.

Written by: Marcy Syms on May 22, 2014

I was recently asked what my colleagues, friends and clients look to me for. In giving this some thought, I realized that I am often called upon for advice on direction and insight and asked to collaborate on creative approaches. I have always been willing

Educating the Next Generation of Business Leaders

Written by: Marcy Syms on April 24, 2014

Legendary retailer Sy Syms built his business on the idea of educating consumers. His eponymous foundation is helping to educate the next generation of business leaders. Mr. Syms, who died in 2009, was the name and face to the Syms chain of discount-clothing stores. When

Companies Gravitate Away From Middle Class

Written by: Marcy Syms on April 10, 2014

By Tony Chapelle March 24, 2014 Corporate board directors and executives appear to be reacting to growing income inequality in America by abandoning the middle and focusing on either high- or low-end consumers. It’s a strategy that makes perfect sense to some governance experts, while troubling others. With

Marcy Syms, CEO of SYMS Corp. to be Awarded Rudin Medal

Written by: Marcy Syms on March 24, 2014

Syms Honored by Coro New York Leadership Center on May 21st NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Marcy Syms, CEO of SYMS Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMS) will be awarded the Lewis Rudin Medal for Civic Leadership on May 21, 2008 at the Coro New York Leadership

Changing the Conversation

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