Katy Marshall recently joined the LIM College Board of Directors, bringing leadership experience in business strategy, operations, marketing, sales, brand management, global e-commerce, and other functions.
Currently Chief Growth Officer of Sollis Health, Katy’s career started with global consulting giant Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and has included senior roles with high-growth organizations such as Glossier, Calibrate, Thesis, and Harry’s, as well as Fortune 500 company Kraft Heinz, where she co-founded and led its brand incubator, Springboard. She graduated summa cum laude from Columbia University and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Q: In addition to your impressive business credentials, you are also bringing a family connection to your role on the LIM Board of Directors. Please tell us about it.
A: I am proud to be the fourth generation in my family to be involved in helping LIM serve students. The weighty responsibility of continuing the LIM legacy that began with my great-grandfather and has been in capable hands since he founded the college in 1939 is not lost on me.
LIM was established on the strong principle that to learn, one must experience. Throughout its history, this focus on immersive education, learning by doing, and building connections within the industry, has remained a constant at LIM.
I believe this commitment and the rigorous adherence to it throughout the decades is the reason the college has continued to thrive in the heart of New York City and is recognized as a leader at helping students realize their dream careers in the business of fashion and lifestyle.
Q: With this family connection, do you have any special memories of LIM growing up?
A: Yes, I was born in New York, and I have very clear recollections of going to the college to visit my grandfather (the late LIM President Adrian G. Marcuse) at work beginning somewhere around the age of five. I learned so much from him as I grew, and of course, I also learned from everyone in the family about the importance of what LIM does and the trust the students and families place with us to make their investment in an education exceed their expectations.
As I progressed in my schooling, I took a summer course at LIM and will never forget the importance of the real-world experiences afforded by that class. Among many other things, we were tasked with studying the visual merchandising being done in the retail windows on Fifth Ave. and analyzing the effectiveness of them. Getting out of the classroom and into the real world is the best way to learn, and that type of hands-on learning is what LIM is all about.
Q: What surprised you about LIM that you did not know until engaging in discussions about joining the Board?
A: While I knew that LIM has many students from countries outside the United States, I did not fully understand until recently just how widespread and respected the college is around the globe.
I have always been interested in business on a global scale and had exposure to this while at BCG and at Glossier, for example. In college, I was immersed in East Asian Studies and even did my thesis on the evolution of the fashion industry there. Today I speak five languages including English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Japanese. I believe my passion for global studies and experience in global business pursuits is one asset I will bring to the Board of Directors as international expansion continues to be a strategic priority for the college.
Q: What other skills and experience do you believe will make you an effective Board member?
A: I’ve spent over a dozen years in leadership roles in businesses from start-ups to iconic Fortune 500 brands, and I have a deep understanding and love for how organizations can build relationships with their audiences. I know how to build brands and to help brands resonate effectively across generations, but in particular with younger people such as those deciding where to go to college. I understand they require authenticity and extraordinary experiences to establish brand allegiances and deep connections that transcend time. The recent LIM Fashion Show is a great example of the right kind of experience to drive a connection with younger consumers. It is the perfect way to drive excitement among the accepted students and their families and to give dozens of students an experiential learning opportunity and professional connections that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Q: What is the most important business lesson you have learned thus far?
A: There have been many important lessons and undoubtedly more to come, but one that stands out is that everyone you work with becomes part of your career ecosystem for your entire life. Relationships — building them, maintaining them, spending time helping those in your network and asking for help when you need it — are incredibly important. The further you go in your career you will notice how many opportunities come from the people you know, and just how small the world is. I’ve been fortunate to benefit from this at every level – from incredible mentors, to peers, to people I’ve hired who have followed me to different opportunities over time.
LIM is extremely strong in this regard. Not only does the college do an amazing job of helping students build out their professional network while in college, but LIM also provides alumni with lifetime support that is real and keeps so many alumni connected with the college and its current students.
Q: How do you define fashion and who are some of your favorite designers/brands?
A: Fashion is of course about self-expression, and it is also an outlet to represent your viewpoint of the world. I love the classics such as Chanel and Hermes, but I am also a fan of contemporary brands such as Alice + Olivia and Alemais. I am thrilled that my role on the Board of LIM allows me to stay embedded in the world of fashion and to have a part in helping to launch the careers of the next generation of fashion business leaders.
