Meet Cindy Marshall

Chief Growth Officer. Retail Executive. Power Connector.

Cindy Marshall, Founder of SHINE Strategy
Elevator Pitch

Executive Leadership, Grounded in Results

For more than 30 years, I've helped some of the world's most recognized DTC and retail brands accelerate profitable growth, transform organizations, and navigate periods of change.

Today, I partner with founders, CEOs, and executive teams as a Fractional Chief Growth Officer—bringing executive leadership, AI-enabled growth strategies, and an unmatched network of industry relationships to every engagement.

I believe growth happens when the right strategy, the right people, and the right technology come together.

That's why clients don't hire SHINE simply for advice. They hire SHINE for leadership, accountability, and results.

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Executive Leadership

An Extension of Your Leadership Team

Unlike traditional consultants, SHINE doesn't stop at recommendations. Cindy steps into businesses as a Fractional Chief Growth Officer, bringing strategic clarity, operational discipline, and accountability to move the business forward — not just advise from the sidelines.

Proven Growth Experience

More Than 30 Years in Retail & Ecommerce

Decades of executive leadership experience across direct-to-consumer and retail brands, solving complex growth challenges, prioritizing the right opportunities, and delivering measurable business results for organizations of every size.

Industry Network

A Power Connector by Reputation

Built over three decades in retail and ecommerce, Cindy's network spans technology partners, marketing agencies, executive talent, investors, and strategic advisors — giving clients access to the right introduction at the right time.

Personal Philosophy

Strategy Is Only Valuable When It Produces Results

Connections are only valuable when they create opportunity. Cindy built SHINE on the belief that growth leadership should deliver both — clear strategy and the relationships that turn strategy into momentum.

Board & Advisory Roles

Advisory Boards

Where I actively advise innovative companies shaping the future of retail, commerce and the arts — helping emerging companies bring innovative solutions to the retail industry.

  • DifferentDay.ai
  • InsiderOne
  • VersaFeed
  • Newmine
  • Women in Retail Leadership
  • CommerceNext
  • Southern Vermont Arts Center
Most Proud Of

Milestones & Moments

  • Running a successful consulting business & serving over 70+ brands
  • Publishing my book, Sorry About Your Diagnosis . . . You're Fired!
  • Built SHINE while overcoming cancer & recovering from a near-fatal ski accident.
  • NEMOA.org Lifetime Achievement Award, 2014
  • Founding Board Member, Women in Retail Leadership (13+ years)
  • Top Women in Cross-Channel Retail, 2011
  • The teams I've led & successful executives I've mentored
Community Involvement

Where I Learn, Lead & Give Back

Leadership & Boards

Women in Retail Leadership

Founding Board Member helping connect, mentor, and advance women leaders across retail and consumer brands.

NEMOA (New England Mail Order Association)

Past President and longtime board member dedicated to advancing direct-to-consumer commerce and retail leadership.

Vendors in Partnership (VIP)

Collaborating with retailers and technology partners to foster innovation, education, and meaningful industry connections.

Retail Innovation

Retail AI Council

Helping retailers understand and apply AI to accelerate growth, improve productivity, and transform the customer experience.

CommerceNext

Contributing to conversations shaping the future of ecommerce, marketing, AI, and customer experience.

Women in Retail Tech

Supporting innovation and collaboration among retail technology executives, brands, and solution providers.

RETHINK Retail

Recognized as a Top Retail Expert while contributing insights on growth, digital commerce, AI, and retail transformation.

Executive Communities

Retail Club

Engaging with senior retail executives to exchange ideas, build relationships, and solve today's business challenges.

Storm King

Supporting a community of retail and consumer executives through peer learning, strategic dialogue, and industry collaboration.

ACMA (American Catalog Mailers Association)

Supporting best practices, advocacy, and innovation for catalog and multichannel marketers.

Sorry About Your Diagnosis... You're Fired! by Cindy Marshall — book cover
Author

Sorry About Your Diagnosis… You're Fired!

A story of courage, tenacity, love, and fragility.

Cindy is the author of this deeply personal memoir, drawing on her own experience to explore what it takes to lead — and to keep going — when life delivers its hardest challenges. It's a story that informs the resilience, empathy, and clarity she brings to every client engagement.

Get the Book on Amazon
Contributing Author

The Art of Mastering Change

By Paula Black — with contributions from Cindy Marshall & Laura Ravo.

Cindy contributed her own story of change to this collection alongside voices including Laura Ravo, Cristina Ceresoli, Lorrie King, Kelly Sobol, Laura Hnatow, Mary van Praag, Karyn Schoenbart, and Dr. Betty Orlandino. The book is written to help readers recognize opportunities for meaningful change, face their fears, and master change on their own terms.

Get the Book on Amazon
The Art of Mastering Change — book cover
Let's Talk

Ready to Accelerate Growth?

Founders, CEOs, and leadership teams — let's start a conversation about what's next for your brand.

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