Executive Chairman, Caleres
Search every verified Diane Sullivan interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Diane Sullivan, executive chairman at Caleres, has been involved in legal proceedings and philanthropic activities. In December 2019, she delivered a defense closing argument for Johnson & Johnson in a mesothelioma trial related to baby powder, during which the judge warned her about conduct that violated prior court rulings and considered striking her closing statement. Sullivan argued that government agencies, including OSHA and the FDA, have found no evidence of toxicity from non-asbestos cleavage fragments. Sullivan has also participated in industry and community events. At a 2019 Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis event, she described herself as a first-generation American and said her parents taught her a strong work ethic. She discussed the meaning of the company name Caleres, which she said comes from the Latin word "calare" meaning passion and to glow. At the 2015 Two Ten Annual Gala, she noted that $3.15 million was raised and said she was proud of the character and integrity in the footwear industry. In 2011, she introduced herself as the founder of ThreeDecadesThreeKids.com, a parenting website, and said she has three children born in different decades.
“You have to work very hard all day. Isn't that the truth huh?”
“One of the things that most people would not know is I'm actually first generation American. My parents both came here to this country in search of the American Dream.”
“Caleres actually comes from the Latin word 'calare' which means passion and to glow, and we thought it was beautiful because it really represented the spirit of people that had helped build the company up to this point in time.”
“I think what I am most impressed with is I had no idea how many children actually came through the doors here at Junior Achievement; I had no idea that it wasn't just Greater St. Louis and that we had a facility like this.”
“You know what is more important than really taking care of our children and giving our children as much opportunity as possible?”
“Any time that any organization, like Junior Achievement, recognizes anyone, there's a sense of humility that you feel about that.”
“So life is a journey — don't let one thing, good or bad, define you in any one way. Keep on learning, keep on growing, keep on giving, and make sure that you don't let anything get in your way.”
“Collectively you have raised three million one hundred and fifty thousand dollars so for you deserve a big applause.”
“Blake was really focused on increasing the individual giving to 210 and he did an amazing job over the last two years making that a focus.”
“I have big shoes to fill and I'm really looking forward to my next two years and hopefully we can continue to raise money for 210 and beat the records like we did tonight 3.15 million dollars.”
“It just spoke volumes about the character and the integrity and the kind of people that we have in this industry and I'm so proud to do whatever we can do here at Two Ten to continue the great work.”
“I think you all know that the generous donations that you make to 210 really provide that safety net to the community in which we work and live here and you do make those impossible things possible.”
“I bet you're interested in how much money we've raised from the dinner tonight, right? 2.3 million dollars raised tonight and $285,000 from the auction, amazing, thank you so much for that.”
“210 is entering our 75th anniversary year and it's important to remember that our mission began in 1939 with the simple act of passing a hat, which I understand is somewhat similar to this one.”
“From the doorstep of 210 Lincoln Street in Boston to the Marquee tonight, we've come an awfully long way thanks to the sponsors, thanks to the members of our community, everybody that's here tonight.”
Diane Sullivan - defense closing argument for Johnson & Johnson - Part 1 Case Number MID-L-1809-17 Barden et al vs Johnson ...
Diane Sullivan - defense closing argument for Johnson & Johnson - Part 2 Case Number MID-L-1809-17 Barden et al vs Johnson ...
Diane Sullivan, CEO, president and chairman of Caleres Inc, talks about Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis.
Over $3MM was raised last night to support footwear families in 2016! Over 400 icons of the footwear industry came together to ...
Blake Krueger, CEO, Wolverine Worldwide, Incoming Chair of Two Ten AND Dian Sullivan, President and CEO, Brown Shoe ...
Diane Sullivan's introduction filmed at SheStreams 2011.
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