S U M M A R Y

Strategic leader in product creation, category management, and merchandising with 20 years driving growth across fashion and lifestyle brands. Proven ability to identify whitespace, translate consumer insights into commercially viable products, and lead cross-functional teams through the entire product lifecycle — from trend analysis and concepting through GTM execution. Adept at balancing brand storytelling with data-driven decision-making to deliver innovation, SKU productivity, and margin expansion across DTC, wholesale, and specialty channels.

W O R K E X P E R I E N C E

DESIGN CONSULTANT

Various Companies | May 2021 – present

• Advise lifestyle and fashion brands on category growth, product positioning, and seasonal assortment strategy.
•Develop consumer-driven product concepts and seasonal architecture rooted in trend analysis, market insights, and margin targets.
• Partner with internal teams across design, merchandising, and planning to align creative direction with commercial goals.
• Lead ideation through product brief creation, supporting SKU rationalization, line planning, and development milestones.

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN

Marc Fisher Footwear | Sept 2023 – June 2025

• Led product strategy and development for newly acquired lifestyle brands, owning the roadmap from consumer insights through to commercialization.
• Conducted trend and market analysis to identify whitespace, translating findings into clear seasonal line plans and growth-driving assortments.
• Collaborated cross-functionally with merchandising, planning, sourcing, and marketing to ensure alignment across pricing, SKU productivity, and launch timelines.
• Created detailed design briefs and product architecture, ensuring collections balanced core, limited-edition, and new-to-market opportunities.
• Drove product execution across all milestones—ensuring margin targets, brand consistency, and in-market readiness were met.
• Partnered with factory and technical teams to manage product feasibility, material selection, and quality standards for market launch.

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Cole Haan LLC | Sept 2017 – May 2021

• Led design and product strategy for women’s dress and sport footwear, driving seasonal innovation and category growth.
• Developed seasonal trend concepts, mood boards, and color palettes; presented key milestones to executive leadership.
• Conducted domestic and international market research to inform design direction and ensure product-market fit.
• Partnered cross-functionally with merchandising, production, and materials teams to align product assortments with customer preferences and business goals.
• Managed target margins and SKU productivity, achieving significant sales growth and improved line efficiency (e.g., +16% unit bookings with -19% line size reduction).
• Mentored and developed design teams, fostering creativity and technical skill growth.
• Traveled internationally to oversee development processes, ensuring timely, high-quality production at partner factories.

SENIOR DESIGNER

Cole Haan LLC | Mar 2014 – Sept 2017

• Collaborated with senior leadership to develop innovative product designs aligned with seasonal merchandising and brand strategy.
• Managed junior designers, guiding project timelines, technical development, and creative execution.
• Conducted extensive market research through global trend presentations and shopping trips to inform design decisions.
• Partnered with cross-functional teams to refine product assortments, ensuring balance between aesthetics, functionality, and commercial viability.
• Developed detailed design packages, ensuring accuracy in specs, materials, and color to facilitate smooth production.
• Traveled internationally to oversee development and manufacturing, maintaining high quality and timeline adherence.

SENIOR DESIGNER

The Jones Apparel Group – Nine West | Boutique 9 | May 2011 – March 2014

• Collaborated with VP of Design to develop fashion-forward seasonal concepts, translating trends into market-ready assortments.
• Conducted market research and trend analysis, attending presentations and engaging with material suppliers to identify opportunities.
• Partnered with sales and merchandising teams to align product designs with business goals and customer demands.
• Managed design packages, ensuring clear communication of technical details for accurate sample production.
• Traveled seasonally to China to oversee development, ensuring quality, timing, and factory alignment.

DESIGNER

The Jones Apparel Group – Enzo Angiolini | Feb 2007 – May 2011

• Collaborated with lead designers to develop seasonal footwear collections aligned with brand direction and market trends.
• Conducted domestic and international trend research, including shopping and supplier engagement to source materials and innovations.
• Partnered with sales teams to understand market demands and integrate customer preferences into product design.
• Worked closely with technicians to refine prototypes and oversee smooth transition from concept to production.
• Traveled regularly to China to monitor factory development, ensuring adherence to quality and design specifications.

ASSISTANT DESIGNER

The Jones Apparel Group – Nine West | Garolini | Bridget | Enzo Angiolini | Oct 2004 – Feb 2007

• Supported lead designers in developing consumer-driven seasonal footwear designs aligned with brand strategies.
• Collaborated with sales teams to ensure designs met customer preferences and market needs.
• Assisted technicians with prototype refinement and monitored styles through to production.
• Traveled to Brazil and China each season to oversee development with agents and ensure quality control.

ASSISTANT DESIGNER

The Jones Apparel Group – StyleHouse | Jun 2004 – Oct 2004

• Created in-house trend presentations tailored to each brand in the Nine West portfolio, setting seasonal design direction.
• Provided seasonal trend insights to align design teams with emerging market needs and brand strategies.
• Conducted extensive market research through shopping, presentations, and trade shows for materials and components.

E D U C A T I O N

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS - INTERIOR DESIGN
MINOR - PHOTOGRAPHY, GLASS BLOWING
Cleveland Institute of Art
Cleveland , Ohio

GRAPHIC DESIGN
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania

S K I L L S

• Sketching
• Ideation
• Mood & Concept Boards
• Visual Presentatioons
• Marker & Computer Rendering
• Technical Footwear Knowledge
• Proficient in Adobe Suite
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite
• Proficient in Miro Whiteboard
• Sketchbook & Procreate capable
• Mac and PC capable
• Strong Organizational & Communication skills
• Project Management

I N T E R E S T S

Architecture
Gardening
Baking
Fly Fishing
Hiking
Kayaking
Reading