The Delmar DivINe is a transformational real estate project creating the first collaborative and innovative hub for Not For Profits in the Midwest. The former St. Luke's Hospital first built in 1904, will be reimagined to become a 21st century caring, working, and living space for a diverse group of organizations working together in the child and family well-being space to make St. Louis an even better city. The project will also include 150 apts. for young, diverse professionals working in teaching, nursing, social work and public health and safety. There will also be a strong service retail component. Coming in Fall 2021.

Instructor, Women in Leadership

Founded and led the award-winning interactive make-your-own-stuffed-bear stores for mall-based retailing.• Provided executive leadership of all aspects of a fast-growth, multi-channel specialty retailer with 4,000+ employees, including strategic planning, merchandising, marketing, store operations, and P&L results.• Started up company and grew it to a chain of 400 interactive entertainment retail stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.K., France, and Ireland, and international franchises in Europe, Asia, Australia, Mexico, and Africa with 2013 global revenues of nearly $400M. • Led the organization to sell 140 million stuffed animals with cumulative revenues of $5.0+ billion. • Orchestrated the company’s highly successful $172 million Initial Public Offering (IPO) in Oct. 2004 – only seven years after start-up; managed critical relationships; now traded on NYSE: BBW.• BBW was named as one of the “Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For” for seven consecutive years.• Retired as CEO in June, 2013; continue to serve as a Member of the Board of Directors.BBW trades on the NYSE.

Served as Head Merchant and Marketing Officer for a leading specialty discount family footwear retailer.• Total P&L responsibility as a direct report to the Deputy Vice-Chairman of May Department Stores Company for a 4,500-store global chain generating $2.5 billion in revenue with over 25,000 employees.• Oversaw product development, merchandise direction, sourcing, assortment planning, merchandise allocation, seasonal planning, resource partnerships, and marketing.

Head softlines Merchandising Executive for a retail store chain aimed at the discount department store market.• Held total P&L responsibility for the seasonal planning, product development, assortment planning, merchandise allocation, resource partnerships, advertising, and sales promotion which generated $700M in annual softlines sales and $325M in gross profit for a 100-store chain with 10,000 employees.• Categories: men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel & accessories, shoes, jewelry, and cosmetics.

Head Executive over sportswear merchandising for a retailer of women’s wear-to-work apparel and accessories.• Total P&L responsibility for generating $500M in annual sales in the sportswear category (the largest sales volume in the company) of a 200-store chain, as a direct report to the CEO.• Shopped worldwide fashion markets for style development, assortment planning, and product development.

• Served as Head Merchant with total P&L responsibility for all women’s apparel, shoes, accessories, and cosmetics, and all children’s apparel and accessories.

Launched career in retailing with a leading upscale department store chain operatorDirector, Merch. Planning (1978-1980); Manager, Merch. Planning (1976-1978); Buyer, Hecht Company (1972-1976): Executive Trainee, Hecht Company, Washington, DC (1972)