About Diane Sullivan
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.
Source: AI-verified profile updated from Diane Sullivan's recent appearances.
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Transcript (5 segments)
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Interviewer0:03
What did you learn that would surprise you? Was there anything that surprised you?
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Diane Sullivan0:07
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. And they taught me a tremendous amount in my upbringing. It was really about this incredible work ethic. And I think over a period of time, where you push yourself to put yourself in uncomfortable positions, allows you to figure out that actually, you can accomplish whatever you put your mind to. I love what I do.
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. And then also was going to be able to continue to build their company for the next centuries.
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. I had no idea that we had a facility like this. So I think it is actually kind of a bit of a secret. 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. And I guess it makes me think a little bit about my own childhood. And how I was helped and developed along the way. 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 making sure that you don't let anything get in your way.
