ANN INC. CEO, Kay Krill, Tells St. Luke's Students to Trust Their Guts

Kay Krill told the room full of young St. Luke's women to embrace every opportunity to lead, be it a big job or a small role: "Whether it's heading up the math club or being captain of the tennis team, grab onto those small opportunities...they add up." Krill spoke with the group as part of St. Luke's Center for Leadership's Lunch & Lead speaker series.

Krill knows a thing or two about leadership. As president and CEO of ANN INC., Krill is one of only a few female CEOs in the retail sector. Her passion for women’s and children’s causes inspired her to cultivate a community of giving at ANN INC. Under her leadership, the company launched ANN Cares, a charitable platform that contributed over $20 million in seven years to support partners including The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Recently, in collaboration with Vital Voices Global Partnership, ANN Cares launched ANNpower—an initiative to invest in young women to be the leaders of tomorrow. Several St. Luke's students have benefited from ANNpower fellowships. Krill has been recognized by Crain’s as one of the “50 Most Influential Women in New York.” She is a trustee at St. Luke’s and a parent of two current students.

"Trust your gut," urged Krill as she shared life lessons. "Be authentic and true to yourself. Be humble. One of my favorite quotes is 'Peacock today, feather duster tomorrow.' You don't want to be a peacock all full of yourself. And finally, give back. Help others. Not because you should but because it's the right thing to do."