Hometown: Hermon, Maine
Major: Visual Merchandising
Tell us about your current role as Senior Director of Visual Merchandising for Walmart.
I joined Walmart in January and I lead the Visual Merchandising (VM) capability. VM is new to Walmart, so I am in the process of creating the strategic framework for and standing up the Visual Merchandising capability for them. With that, I am building out a Home Office team and will lead them as well as develop our field Visual Merchandising muscle.
When you were an LIM student, were there experiences or opportunities for industry involvement that were particularly memorable or useful?
The networking events that I attended were super-valuable! The school also hosted field trips to companies throughout the city, which was a great way for a small-town boy to see the many layers that the fashion industry had and opened my eyes to other possibilities.
Are there any specific skills you learned at LIM that have been important in your career?
Presenting your work, as well as ideas, has paid off in spades! Learning how to edit myself and speak to diverse audiences is a daily occurrence for me now and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to learn in a safe space. Additionally, learning how to take constructive criticism during presentations has been essential for my career. I am a feeler and have very strong opinions. Learning that my point of view wasn’t always right, or my ideas might not be as universal as I thought, has made me a better collaborator and leader and led to greater outputs.
What did you enjoy most about being a college student in NYC?
It’s NYC! Everything was at my fingertips and the energy in this city kept me on my toes. There is so much accessibility to the fashion industry since everywhere you walk in NYC puts you right in the middle of it.
Did going to school in Manhattan give you any advantages career-wise?
I was exposed to so much and took advantage of every opportunity that was put in front of me. Being in Manhattan as a creative individual, I was inspired by everything that was around me. From street art and the latest hot spots to individual style and the diversity to innovation in retail, NYC has always fueled my inner artist!
What advice would you give to students who would like to one day have a career in your field?
- Stay curious. Ask all the questions.
- Listen. Make room for others to share their ideas and ensure all voices are heard.
- Establish your own “Board of Directors”—a network to keep you moving forward and aware of where you have opportunities.
- Be your authentic self!