The co-lab career stories

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.

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. Through research and inclusive innovation practices, she turns wild 'what ifs' into 'what's next' for founders who've been overlooked by traditional systems. As a business designer, she helps leaders build companies that blend purpose with profit, reshaping industries from the inside out. From grassroots organizers to ambitious startups, Nagela has empowered visionaries to scale without compromising their values or leaving their communities behind. In this episode, Kristen Bruce chat with Nagela Dales, the founder of Open House. Nagela who identifies as a business designer rather than a consultant, focuses on creating equitable and people-centered business models. With a rich background in human-centered and liberatory design, Nagela emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, innovation, and community in building sustainable and impactful businesses.

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 brings a deep commitment to artistry and impact. Now, as the founder and Ethical Brand Story Architect of her own copywriting business, Kristin combines her expertise in sustainable fashion design, storytelling, and content marketing to help mission-driven brands stand out in a competitive market. Through soulful, transparent storytelling, she empowers brands to communicate their stories with conviction and build authentic connections with their audiences. In this episode, Nagela Dales speaks with Kristin, an Ethical Brand Story Architects. Kristin shares her transition from working in nonprofit human rights to founding her business, focusing on ethical storytelling for sustainable fashion brands. They delve into the importance of transparency, empowerment, and Kristin's unique ethics framework for creating compelling, mission-driven brand narratives.

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 growth for some of the world’s most influential beauty brands. Now, as a C-Suite Executive, Founder, and Startup Advisor, Tara Cohen is reimagining global beauty through a multi-ethnic lens and human-centric approach. In this episode, Elizabeth Reid speak with Tara, a senior executive in the beauty industry. Tara is a native New Yorker and shares experience in roles at major beauty brands like MAC Cosmetics, her fine arts and advertising background, and early entrepreneurial ventures. She discusses product innovation, brand DNA, consumer needs, and market trends, while expressing her passion for startups and aspirations in beauty and wellness.

Elizabeth Reid is a trailblazing communications and marketing leader who has helped shape some of the most prestigious global brands we know today. Over her 20-year career, she's led groundbreaking initiatives for iconic names like MAC Cosmetics, David Yurman, and Mulberry. What makes Elizabeth unique is her ability to master the art of blending creativity with consumer insights, consistently transforming brands through innovative strategies that deliver remarkable growth. Her career journey reflects a deep understanding that great marketing happens when powerful creative ideas are backed by real consumer understanding. In this interview, Tara Cohen speaks with Elizabeth, a marketing lead and fractional CMO, about her illustrious 20-year career in communications and marketing. They discuss Elizabeth's work with iconic brands like Valentino, MAC Cosmetics, and David Yurman. Elizabeth also shares insights on balancing corporate experience with the flexibility needed for startup success, highlighting the importance of deep consumer understanding and adaptability in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

Aubrey Burrough is a NYC-based social media strategist at the The Brooklyn Brothers. Her past and present client roster includes Mastercard, LEGO, SOUR PATCH KIDS, Nutter Butter, OREO, LEGO, Universal Orlando Resort and more. She takes pride in pushing the boundaries of brand social and approaches her work with creative bravery and a special level of brain rot. Her work has been featured in places like Adweek, Marketing Brew, Ad Age, and the Link in Bio newsletter. In this episode, Margaret interviews Aubrey Burrough, a New York-based social media strategist from Florida. Burrough shares her journey from founding a satire publication at Florida State to working at top agencies, including her transition from English major to marketing. She discusses her work with brands like Sour Patch Kids, emphasizes creativity and trust in client relationships, and offers advice to new grads on using social media for career growth.

Margaret was most recently an associate director for Vanity Fair, working under Condé Nast Entertainment. She led social video development and production for the magazine, working with A-list actors and musicians, as well as behind-the-scenes costume designers and other personnel. She's also worked at Wall Street Journal, Vox Media, and more in social media management roles and been interviewed at Digiday and Nieman Lab. Margaret is open to full-time opportunities in social media. In this episode, Aubrey Borrough interviews Margaret, a social media editor based in New York City. Margaret shares insights about her education, career journey, challenges. She also discusses the evolution of her storytelling skills and her aspirations for future roles in the tech or beauty sectors.

Since 2011, Tracey Toole has channeled her love of baking and sewing into creating Traceytoole Designs, a line of tabletop linens, blankets, and home goods. As the founder, owner, and creative director, Tracey crafts each vintage-inspired piece by hand in Brooklyn, using sustainable materials such as upcycled, organic, and deadstock fabrics. In this episode, Tracy speaks with JB Johnson and shares her journey from growing up in Pennsylvania and studying design in Portland, to working in New York's fashion industry. She discusses the challenges and successes she faced moving from a stable job to freelancing and starting her own business. Tracy emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and following one's creative passions.

Alicia Proctor is a Senior Executive, Visual Experience and Store Design leader who creates best in class visual storytelling for iconic/ luxury brands. She has led the visual strategy for Lancôme, Dior, Estee Lauder Companies Global Designer Fragrance division and Clinique NA. Her expertise includes designing innovative environments capturing the brand vision and elevating the consumer journey. In this episode, Alicia talks with Alicynne Sher about her illustrious career in luxury and beauty, from her beginnings in California and Idaho to prominent roles at Estee Lauder. They discuss career transitions, challenges, and the evolving retail industry, highlighting the importance of storytelling and networking.

Alicynne Sher is a purpose driven, high impact and global seasoned commercial leader driving revenue growth and results for companies who support principles of the circular economy thru technology, recommerce, B2B and B2C business models. A certified digital marketing professional with years of experience leading customer strategy for sales success.  In this episode, Alicynne talks with Alicia Proctor about her extensive career in the retail and fashion industry. Alison shares her Midwest origins and her journey through roles at luxury brands like Versace and Ralph Lauren. She emphasizes the importance of continual learning and sustainability, expressing her commitment to working with companies focused on sustainable practices for the future.