The co-lab career stories

Aimee Brown boasts over 20 years of experience in Fashion Merchandising spending the last 12 years focused on E-commerce. Brown has worked across the spectrum of retail, including full-price luxury, off-price, big-box, and vertical retailers. Throughout her career, her unwavering focus has been on bringing exciting products to market while achieving substantial revenue growth. Currently running her consultancy, AME&Co, she focuses on Business Development, Merchandising, Sustainability, and circularity. On this episode, Aimee talks with Fiona Cummings about her transition from living in London to starting her fashion career in New York.

Anna Kimelman is a sustainability strategist and award-winning designer who pioneered sustainable fashion before it became mainstream. After building brands for Puma, AEO and Bloomingdales, she founded an acclaimed womenswear brand that launched with Shopbop and attracted celebrity fans including Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber. Now, she leads Loopline, a WBENC-certified consultancy, helping fashion retailers and social organizations drive their sustainability communication — through workshops and circular product innovation — to grow their impact and business. Anna also advises for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and MIT Solve, helping scale circular businesses worldwide.In this episode, Lindy Fox sits down with Anna about her eye-opening journey from working with major fashion brands to launching her own sustainable collection. After experiencing global production firsthand, she now helps companies innovate and communicate sustainability effectively.

Julie Coin is founder of Midnighties, a luxury bamboo sleepwear brand for woman that features built-in padded support (launched in 2025). Julie is also a Fractional COO and Operating Advisor to a VC fund that invests in health and sustainability-focused technology companies. Previously Julie spent the majority of her career in global strategy, COO and President roles in Wall Street, blockchain and fintech.In this episode, Rebecca Murphy talks with Julie Coin about leaving Wall Street to launch her luxury sleepwear brand. Julie shares the challenges of building a product-based business and how her corporate experience shaped her as an entrepreneur.

Rebecca Murphy has 20 years of experience in textile design, fabric R&D, and product development across the U.S. and Turkey. She founded RPM Consultancy to help product-focused founders scale through operational, financial, and supply-chain strategy, and is currently launching a wellness venture with a former coworker.In this episode, Julie Coin interviews Rebecca “Bec” for a candid conversation on what it really takes to build and scale product-driven brands. They dig into international production, vendor relationships, hard-won lessons for founders, and what Bec is exploring next in the wellness space.

Mackenzie Perna has spent over a decade shaping how global brands tell their stories online. A community-first marketer and strategist, she built her career at Red Bull and TikTok, where she launched social strategies, amplified world-renowned athletes, and led initiatives spotlighting underrepresented creators and cultures. She's collaborated with brands including Roc Nation, Sony Latin, and Disney Music Group. Today, as co-founder of Sun & Sol, she brings that cultural fluency to impact-driven brands, helping them connect authentically with their communities.In this episode, Nancy Herrmann chats with Mackenzie as she reflects on her evolution from corporate creative to founder, how intuition has shaped her leadership style, and why community remains the heartbeat of every brand she touches.

Nancy Herrmann is the Founder and Creative Director of Jane & Co Design, a boutique studio crafting strategic, sensory brands for female founders in beauty, fashion, and hospitality. Her career spans fashion, architecture, editorial, and brand strategy—bringing a multidisciplinary lens to every project. In recent years, she’s led creative work for beauty brands from L’Oréal and Bobbi Brown to bareMinerals and Alterna Haircare. Today, Nancy helps women entrepreneurs build brands that reflect their next chapter—with intention and impact.In this episode, Mackenzie Perna interviews Nancy about her journey from working at Michael Kors and global beauty brands to founding her own design studio. Nancy shares how she built creative autonomy and what drives her work with female founders today.

Marisa brings 15+ years of UX design experience to Amazon, where she helps shoppers leverage Prime benefits across thousands of sites. She co-chairs the Luxury Education Foundation's Alumni Executive Council, supporting 1,500 Columbia Business School and Parsons alumni. She holds an MFA from Parsons, won the 2013 Nokia Design Challenge, completed a fellowship at Nokia's London Design Studio, and created interactive Hermès experiences featured in Forbes and Women's Wear Daily.Advika Aggarwal chats with Marisa about her design journey from winning a global Nokia competition to pioneering UX at Tory Burch and Amazon. She reveals how curiosity, user research, and embracing AI have shaped her path across startups and Big Tech.

Advika is a marketing and e-commerce leader who drives growth and builds brands across the full product lifecycle from concept to global scale spanning travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s shaped experiences at iconic American houses including Coach and Gap, and most recently served as Senior Director of Marketing and E-Commerce at Paravel, where she helped define the brand’s modern luxury identity, position it as a leader in sustainability, and expand its international presence. From product launches to partnerships and creative campaigns, she blends creative vision with strategic insight to craft innovative brands that resonate culturally and commercially. A Parsons School of Design alum, Advika brings a designer’s eye and a strategist’s mindset to everything she builds.In this episode, Marisa Glick interviews Advika, who discusses her career path and highlights the importance of combining creativity with strategic thinking, staying adaptable, and continuously learning for professional growth.

From luxury goods to longevity, Kabir has spent 15 years shaping culture at the intersection of fashion, film, wellness, and health innovation. After early stints at VOGUE and ELLE, he spent nearly a decade in fashion PR with brands like Maiyet, Nili Lotan, Monique Péan, and Milk Studios. He later brought that storytelling expertise to healthcare—helping position concierge medicine as a post-pandemic status symbol at Sollis Health and leading communications for GLP-1 launches at Hims & Hers. Today, he runs his own firm, KBB News, continuing to tell stories where culture meets innovation—when he’s not on the mat, that is.In this episode, Anne Whiting talks with Kabir, a PR professional whose journey from Bombay to New York City spans fashion, tech, and healthcare. He shares how curiosity and adaptability shaped his path, reflecting on the value of a liberal arts education, the evolving PR world, and AI’s growing influence.

Anne Whiting works across communications and brand marketing, copywriting, journalism, sustainable fashion design, ethical fashion activism, supply chain and product development expertise, anti-greenwashing consulting, and textile waste management. She also serves on the board of an arts education nonprofit, working with students of all ages in their pursuit of a career in the visual sector and mentoring the next generation of conscious shoppers and upcycled fashion designers. Based in New York City with roots in Minneapolis, her projects span the globe, from Paris and London, to Los Angeles, Milan, India, Greece, and Ghana.Kabir Awatramani sits down with Anne Whiting to discuss her journey through fashion journalism, her work with brands like Skims, and how a passion for art, writing, and sustainability has shaped her global career and advocacy for ethical fashion.

Marijo Mena has 20 years of experience in sourcing, product development, and merchandising, from Blue Man Group and entertainment products for LOST and Grey's Anatomy to 15 years in corporate retail with Williams-Sonoma, Big Lots, Anthropologie Home, and QVC. With global experience spanning Guatemala to Vietnam, she recently earned a Master's in Sustainability and Social Impact and now focuses on the home industry.Natalie Marten sits down with Marijo to discuss global sourcing challenges, building authentic professional relationships, and how continuous learning reshaped her career from entertainment to retail leadership.

Natalie Marten brings 25 years of fashion industry experience across luxury brands and mass retailers. She served as Brand President for Tumi Apparel and Kashwere Apparel at David Peyser Sportswear, leading brands within a $1+ billion portfolio. Recognized as one of the Top Women in Retail, she now runs her own consultancy helping emerging brands refine positioning and expand market presence.Marijo Mena sits down with Natalie, a seasoned fashion leader, to unpack career-defining moments and lessons on mentorship, networking, and self-investment; practical insights for anyone ready to level up their career.

Sarah is the founder of SCLARANDIS, a sustainable, high-quality footwear brand. Her passion began in childhood in Torino, Italy, and led her to study shoe design in the UK and train with master shoemakers in Varese. She later moved to the U.S., designing for top fashion brands, leading creative teams as VP, and building global partnerships across Italy, Spain, Brazil, and China.In this interview, Abby Garay (Liebman) chats with Sarah, whose love for footwear began in childhood in Italy. Sarah shares her journey from studying in the UK to launching her own brand after years in corporate roles. She talks about the inspiration behind her designs, the balance of comfort and style, the challenges of manufacturing and marketing, and her excitement for future projects like the “sneaker ballerina.”

Abbey Rachel Garay (Liebman) is a New York-based shoe designer and developer with a background in both concept and craft. A Cornell Textiles graduate, she’s held design and development roles across startups and major brands, and completed Arsutoria’s intensive pattern-making program in 2018. Through her consultancy, Abbey and Aster Ltd., she brings footwear ideas from sketch to production.In this episode, Sarah Sclarandis chats with Abbey about her path into footwear. From studying textiles to training in Milan and working with global factories, Abbey shares how she found her footing in the shoe industry. They dive into the creative process, the technical side of design, and how AI is shaping the future. Abbey also offers a peek into her consulting work and what’s next for the industry.

I’m a New-York–based digital product strategist who loves turning loosely defined ideas into engaging, high-impact experiences. Over the years I’ve worked across healthtech, digital media, and wellness, guiding products from first sketch to market launch while keeping users—and measurable value—at the center.In this episode, Temi Agbede talks with Julia about her winding path from aspiring vet to science journalist to digital media pro, with stops at Conde Nast and NY Public Radio. Now a consultant, Julia helps health-focused orgs adopt AI workflows and shares insights on rapid testing and building a solo business.

Temi is a seasoned marketing and eCommerce leader with 15+ years of experience driving growth for DTC brands from $10M to $100M+. Now a Fractional Marketing Executive & Advisor, she helps brands scale through holistic strategies, brand building, and customer journey optimization.In this episode, Julia Schulhof chats with Temi about her path from Maryland to New York City, her career at Lord & Taylor and Estée Lauder, and her transition into fractional marketing. Temi reflects on the challenges of marketing herself, the value of networking, and shares insights on AI, mentorship, and staying curious in a fast-changing industry.

Cathy Quain is a seasoned brand leader with 25+ years driving growth for top lifestyle, luxury, and outdoor brands. She’s led DTC, retail, and eCommerce strategies as CEO, President, and VP at companies like Krewe, Manduka, and Burton Snowboards. Now CEO of Compass + Nail, she helps brands build loyalty, scale smartly, and create standout customer experiences.In this episode, Sandra Finkelstein interviews Cathy, who shares her insights on building unforgettable customer experiences, navigating major career pivots, and creating lasting brand loyalty.

Sandra Finkelstein is a fashion innovation leader who builds next-gen brands, platforms, and ideas that drive growth. She leverages GenAI and machine learning to streamline trend detection, product creation, and design workflows. Sandra thrives in fast-moving, purpose driven teams where innovation leads to real impact.In this episode, Cathy Quain interviews Sandra Finkelstein on how she’s using generative AI to reshape fashion through sustainable design and innovation. With experience at Calvin Klein, J.Crew, and Amazon, she shares insights on the future of fashion tech.

Erica Guider is a Sales Executive at 42 Technologies with deep roots in retail, having spent her childhood weekends in her family’s boutique tagging merchandise and managing displays. After graduating from Parsons, she brought her creative and commercial expertise to brands like Tory Burch, 7 For All Mankind, Sandro, and Maje. When the pandemic disrupted the industry, Erica pivoted into tech, joining 42 Technologies as their first Customer Success Manager. In this episode, Julia Maimone-Medwick chats with Erica, who went from growing up in her parents’ boutique to working for top fashion brands and then made a bold leap into tech at 42 Technologies during the pandemic. She shares how her retail roots shaped her success in tech, the power of networking, and her side hustle in job matchmaking. A must-listen for anyone navigating a career pivot or curious about the overlap between fashion and tech.

Julia Maimone-Medwick is a mission-driven marketing leader with deep experience in brand strategy, events, and social media. As Senior Director of Marketing & Events at Modern Luxury, she leads campaigns for top luxury brands in New York and the Hamptons. With a background in both agency and in-house roles, Julia blends strategy and execution to create memorable, high-impact experiences.In this episode, Erica Guider chats with Julia about her path from political science major to media strategist, interior designer, and co-operator of her family’s winery. Julia shares honest reflections on agency vs. brand-side life, sustaining meaningful professional relationships, and navigating imposter syndrome.