The co-lab career stories

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 future goals and life direction.In this episode, Carole Jean Whittington chats with Kamrin about her journey from major retail brands to becoming a leadership coach for seasoned corporate women. Kamrin shares her experience with ADHD, toxic workplaces, and other challenges by leveraging her curiosity and leadership expertise, ultimately discovering her calling to help women gain clarity and navigate transformative career changes.

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 recently pivoted into buying with a role at ONS Clothing. On the side she writes Mom Friend, a lifestyle publication focused on the intersection of motherhood, fashion, style, and life in Brooklyn. In this episode, Sarah Shapiro chats with Jennifer Cook about her journey from working at Abercrombie as a teen to becoming a SoHo boutique buyer. Jennifer shares insights on her transition from PR to wholesale, her experiences in the fashion industry, and the creation of her Substack newsletter, Mom Friend, as a creative outlet and community space.

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 Retail Diary in 2024, Sarah became the Retail Correspondent for Puck’s Line Sheet, covering shopping and consumer trends. In this episode, Jennifer Cook interviews Sarah Shapiro where she reflects on her journey from studying fashion design at Syracuse to a decade at Bloomingdale’s, launching a Fitbit accessory brand, and transitioning into e-commerce and consumer goods. She also discusses founding the Retail Diary newsletter and its growth, leading to her current role as a retail correspondent for Puck’s Line Sheet.

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. Cynthia shares her diverse career path, which includes working at renowned establishments such as the Standard Hotel in New York and launching her own B2B catering company. She discusses her latest venture, Ondine, a UPF apparel brand set to launch in the summer of 2025, inspired by her commitment to skin protection and aesthetically pleasing, natural-fiber clothing.

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 delivering exceptional customer experiences. In this episode, Cynthia Kalfa interviews Tina Yau, a retail fashion veteran who is launching a new handbag line this summer aimed at empowering women on the go. Tina shares her journey from growing up in New York and studying at NYU, to her career in e-commerce with major brands. She discusses the evolution of e-commerce, her proudest career moments, and her transition from the corporate world to starting her own business, emphasizing the importance of resilience and passion in entrepreneurship.

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 Fashion Law at Fordham Law School, she brings a unique perspective by blending her expertise in legal operations with a passion for the creative industries. She is dedicated to driving innovation and efficiency while exploring the intersection of law, business, and fashion. In this episode, Shraddha interviews Rivya, a legal consultant pursuing her Masters in Fashion Law at Fordham University. Rivya discusses her extensive background in legal finance, her passion for fashion law that started in law school, and the transition from finance to fashion law spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. She also shares insights into the overlaps between finance and fashion law, her career journey, and advice for aspiring fashion lawyers.

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. From securing intellectual property rights to drafting contracts and managing regulatory challenges, Shraddha helps brands build strong legal foundations and thrive in a competitive market. In this episode, Rivya Sodhi interviews Shraddha, an attorney with an LLM in fashion law from Fordham University. Shraddha discusses her journey from Mumbai to New York, her experiences in different legal education systems, and her passion for integrating fashion and law. She also touches on her work with small businesses and minorities, her career goals, and how she maintains her work-life balance.

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 interview, Abby Beaudin talks to Marcos Diaz, a New York-based celebrity hairstylist who previously worked as a full-time firefighter in California. Marcos shares his journey from firefighting to hairstyling, inspired by a TV show and a desire for a balanced life. He discusses his transition, the support he received, his success working with top brands like Bumble and Bumble, and his advice on persistence, bravery, and the importance of relationships and continuous learning in one's career.

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 and shape their story. With over a decade of experience, she bridges the gap between creative and execution to deliver tailored solutions for her clients across industries like beauty, luxury, and entertainment. In this interview, Marcos Diaz chats with Abby about her career journey. Abby shares her challenges and wins in PR and advertising, the value of clear communication and adapting to change. She also discusses launching her freelance consultancy in experiential production and media training.

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 label, MLE. She now incorporates the first-hand experience she gained in both industries to MLE, with a focus on sustainability and quality. In this episode, Alexis Carey interviews Emily, an accessories designer based in New York. Emily discusses her background, including her education at Johns Hopkins, and her journey from creating silkscreen t-shirts in college to founding her successful accessories line MLE. She shares insights into the challenges and rewards of being an entrepreneur, her career evolution, and future plans for expanding her business.