PODCAST · arts
The co-lab career stories
by the co-lab
Welcome to the co-lab career stories podcast, a collective of professionals dedicated to sharing their experiences working in the fashion, beauty, wellness, retail and consumer luxury industries. Hear from CEOs, early career professionals and everything in between as the co-lab members interview each other, sharing their career stories, big pivots, worst jobs, best career advice, and remind us no two career paths are the same. Visit jointhecolab.com to learn more, become a member, tell your story, and follow us @jointhecolab. We can’t wait to network with you. X Kristy, co-lab founder.
Episodes
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Rachel Swanson - Founder, Method + Mode
Rachel Swanson is the founder of Method + Mode, a consultancy delivering primary research for product innovation, audience development, and brand building across beauty, fashion, wellness, tech, CPG, and media. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked with early-stage startups and global...
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Lexie Bettina - Creative Project Manager
Lexie is a creative project manager and producer with twelve years of experience, over 500 completed shoots, and published content that has reached more than 16 billion people worldwide.She has overseen tens of millions in annual production budgets and led high-visibility 360 campaigns, including...
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Lindsay Denninger - Brand Voice Expert
Lindsay Denninger is an award-winning writer, editorial director, celebrity interviewer, two-time Jeopardy! contestant, and storyteller who magically turned a love for nostalgic pop culture into a job. She's worked with brands like Kate Spade New York, Ann Taylor, UNIQLO, and Amazon, and she's...
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Suzi West - The Retail Sherpa
Suzi West has built her career at the intersection of commerce and creativity — translating brand identity into physical space, and experiences that drive sales. From the halls of L Brands and Knitwell Group to founding her own boutique, Collier West, she has lived every side of the industry. A...
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Jelena Beliard - Founder, BELLE CHASSE
Jelena Beliard is the founder of BELLE CHASSE, a brand transformation consultancy based in New York and Paris. She has one core obsession: clarity. After 25 years working with fashion and retail's most iconic brands — Victoria's Secret PINK, Vanessa Bruno, Maurices — she has learned that most…
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Tanya Windman - Founder, joi
Tanya believes women should be able to enjoy the journey of building and that the right environment makes all the difference. She is the founder of joi, a membership community for women in NYC actively bringing their vision to life, and a 1:1 advisor supporting women through pivotal moments....
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Laura Konitzer - Co-Founder of Lighthouse Labs
Laura Konitzer is a founder building AI-powered decision tools for fashion and retail teams. She also works with brands on AI strategy and practical adoption. Previously, she spent nearly a decade at BCG advising global fashion and consumer brands. In this episode, Svenja Hofe interviews Laura…
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Jessica Mayfield - Stylist
Jessica Mayfield is a stylist and creative director working at the intersection of story and aesthetics. With a background in writing, her work is grounded in narrative and intention. Over the past sixteen years, she has collaborated with clients including Adidas, the OKC Thunder, West Elm, Crate…
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Reut Ringel - Founder & Creative Director, Reut New York
Reut Ringel is the founder and creative director of Reut New York, a fine jewelry house based in New York City that blends art, innovation, and sustainability into every piece. A graduate of Parsons The New School of Design, she is known for pioneering the world’s first permanent Black Gold…
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Lindy Fox - Founder, Lindy Fox
Lindy Fox is the founder of LindyFox.com a California-based clothing line of matching family sets for photoshoots. The brand calls upon the expertise of artisans to create truly unique pieces. Observing a sustainable, process-focused practice, the brand operates in a Made-On-Demand model. Each...
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Anna Kimelman - Sustainability Strategist
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...
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Julie Coin - Founder, Midnighties
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…
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Rebecca Murphy - Founder, RPM Consultancy
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...
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Mackenzie Perna - Co-Founder, Sun & Sol
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...
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Nancy Herrmann - Founder and Creative Director, Jane & Co Design
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...
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Marisa Glick - Senior UX Designer, Amazon
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...
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Advika Aggarwal - Brand and Marketing Consultant
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...
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Kabir Awatramani - Publicist
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…
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Anne Whiting - Communications and Sustainability Expert
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…
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Marijo Mena - Global Sourcing & Merchandising Expert
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...
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Natalie Marten - Retail Expert
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…
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Sarah Sclarandis - Founder, SCLARANDIS
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...
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Abbey Rachel Garay - Shoe Designer and Developer
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....
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Julia Schulhof - Digital Product Strategist
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…
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Temi Agbede - Fractional Marketing Executive & Advisor
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,...
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Cathy Quain - CEO, Compass + Nail
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...
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Sandra Finkelstein - Fashion Innovation Leader
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…
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Erica Guider - Sales Executive, 42 Technologies
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...
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Julia Maimone-Medwick - Marketing and Events Director, Modern Luxury Media
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...
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Alexis Carey - Social Media and Influencer Marketing Specialist
Alexis Carey is a social media and influencer marketing specialist with over 4 years of experience in the beauty, food and beverage, and lifestyle industries. As a Campaign Manager at Foodie Tribe, she drives brand growth through influencer partnerships and strategic campaigns. Outside of work…
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Claire Steichen - Founder, Clear Strategy Coaching
Claire Steichen founded Clear Strategy Coaching in 2008 to help ambitious mid-career professionals reach their goals, authentically and without burn-out. Claire is the author of “Confidence at Work: The High Achiever’s Guide to Navigating Uncertainty”. Using her I to the 4th Power methodology,...
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Madelyn Ulrich - Founder, Madelyn Ulrich Health & Wellness Coaching
Madelyn is the founder of Madelyn Ulrich Health & Wellness Coaching, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and a MindBodyGreen Certified Health Coach who helps high-achieving women in leadership manage stress and prevent burnout. With over 17 years as a Design Director…
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Fariba Jalili - COO/Global Operations Executive
Fariba Jalili is a COO/Global Operations Executive with over 20 years of experience in leadership and operations. Fariba has held positions with industry leaders such as Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg, and Barneys New York. Her leadership philosophy focuses on empowering teams…
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Andreas Skorski - Founder and CEO, <Genesys> AI™
Andreas Skorski is the founder and CEO of AI™, an AI company building artificial intelligence to connect the world of commerce. connects every aspect of the retail value chain through AI, from catalogue production to marketing, pricing, shipping, and more. In this episode, Fariba Jalili...
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Kate Carroll - Stylist and Retail Expert
Kate Carroll is a stylist and retail expert with a background in fashion and apparel design. She thrives on building meaningful relationships, managing projects, and creating seamless experiences. With a keen eye for detail and a data-driven approach, she brings efficiency and impact to every…
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Fatima Ahmed - Consultant, The øther
With over 15 years of experience, Fatima Ahmed has developed a career with a strong passion for inclusivity in fashion. Most recently, with Universal Standard, she was part of the team that brought the brand to its current 00-40 size offering. Fatima is currently a consultant with The øther, a...
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Carole Jean Whittington - Chief Well-Being Officer, Whittington Well-Being
Carole Jean Whittington is the Chief Well-Being Officer at Whittington Well-Being and a leading expert in autistic burnout for women. With 40+ years of lived experience as an autistic woman navigating chronic stress and burnout, she guides autistic women and their supporters to design joyful,...
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Kamrin Huban - Executive Leadership & Performance Coach
Kamrin Huban transitioned from 22 years in global fashion operations with adidas, Coach, and Brahmin to launch her leadership coaching business five years ago. Kamrin specializes in guiding seasoned corporate women through transformative change, enhancing leadership impact, and gaining clarity on...
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Jennifer Cook - Buyer at ONS
Jennifer Cook has spent well over a decade in the fashion industry, working across wholesale, retail, and merchandising functions at companies such as Zac Posen, Suno, and Westerlind. While most of her career has been spent launching international brands in the North American market, she has...
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Sarah Shapiro - Retail Correspondent for Puck's Line Sheet
Sarah Shapiro is a retail executive with 20 years of experience in merchandising and digital commerce at companies like Bloomingdale’s and Williams-Sonoma. She founded Retail Diary, a newsletter with 10,000+ subscribers, featured in The New York Times and Vogue Business. After Puck acquired…
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Cynthia Kalfa - Founder of Ondine
With over 15 years of experience in high-growth startups within the hospitality industry, including hotels, spas, and food & tech, Cynthia brings a wealth of expertise to her latest venture—an UPF apparel brand, Ondine. In this episode, Tina Yao interviews Cynthia, a hospitality industry expert....
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Tina Yau - Founder of TYVY
Tina Yau is a retail eCommerce executive with over 25 years of experience in fashion and beauty. Having held leadership roles at global brands such as A|X Armani Exchange, Saks Fifth Avenue, Estée Lauder, and Uniqlo, Tina has built a career on driving innovation, scaling businesses, and…
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Rivya Sodhi - Fashion Lawyer
Rivya is most recently an x-JPMorgan Chase Governance, Risk, and Compliance Expert searching for her next opportunity. She is a legal and compliance expert with over a decade of experience in regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and operational resilience. Currently pursuing an LLM in...
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Shraddha Desai - Legal Fellow, OMI Legal LLC
Shraddha Desai is an attorney from India with an LL.M. in Fashion Law from Fordham University School of Law. She has over three years of legal experience. She specializes in IP protection and startup law at OMI Legal, supporting startups, creative people, entrepreneurs, and fashion businesses.…
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Marcos Diaz - Celebrity Hairstylist
Marcos Diaz is a seasoned professional with over twenty-four years of combined experience as a firefighter turned freelance hairstylist. His journey has equipped him with a unique and refined skill set perfectly suited for today’s ever-evolving fashion, hair, and editorial industries. In this...
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Abby Beaudin - Experiential Producer
Abby helps agencies, brands and leaders elevate their impact through two distinct pillars: as an experiential producer, she transforms ideas into immersive campaigns through a streamlined and strategic process; as an executive media training coach, she equips leaders to master thought leadership...
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Emily Li Mandri - Founder & Designer of MLE
Emily Li Mandri is the founder & designer of MLE, a consciously created women's accessories brand based in upstate NY. After spending over 15 years in fashion and digital marketing with a focus on innovative design and emerging brand growth, Emily decided it was time to launch her eponymous…
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Nagela Dales - Founder of OPEN HOUSE
The future of business isn't about choosing between profit and purpose—it's about building systems where they drive each other forward. As the founder of OPENHOUSE, Nagela's mission is to open doors other strategists don't see, partnering with founders who are ready to ditch the old rulebooks....
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Kristin Bruce - Ethical Brand Story Architect
Since earning her BFA from Parsons in Women’s RTW and Textile Design, Kristin Bruce has forged a unique career at the intersection of luxury fashion, human rights advocacy, and ethical storytelling. From designing for artisan-empowering brands to leading communications for a global nonprofit, she...
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Tara Cohen - Strategy and Innovation Executive
Over the past 20 years, Tara Cohen has driven innovation and strategy as a senior executive at The Estée Lauder Companies, directly influencing MAC Cosmetics, Becca, Tom Ford, and Victoria Beckham, as well as Revlon, L'Oréal, and Victoria Secret Beauty resulting in exponential, multi-channel…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to the co-lab career stories podcast, a collective of professionals dedicated to sharing their experiences working in the fashion, beauty, wellness, retail and consumer luxury industries. Hear from CEOs, early career professionals and everything in between as the co-lab members interview each other, sharing their career stories, big pivots, worst jobs, best career advice, and remind us no two career paths are the same. Visit jointhecolab.com to learn more, become a member, tell your story, and follow us @jointhecolab. We can’t wait to network with you. X Kristy, co-lab founder.
HOSTED BY
the co-lab
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The co-lab career stories have?
The co-lab career stories currently has 300 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The co-lab career stories about?
Welcome to the co-lab career stories podcast, a collective of professionals dedicated to sharing their experiences working in the fashion, beauty, wellness, retail and consumer luxury industries. Hear from CEOs, early career professionals and everything in between as the co-lab members interview...
How often does The co-lab career stories release new episodes?
The co-lab career stories publishes regularly with 300 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The co-lab career stories?
You can listen to The co-lab career stories on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The co-lab career stories?
The co-lab career stories is created and hosted by the co-lab.
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