The Brownestone Group

Finding Talent. Strategizing Solutions. Building Businesses.

Thought Leadership

Pivot Perfect | Inky Son: Rising from Fashion to Sports – Scoring the Dream Career

As a key member of the executive leadership team at the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Inky Son leverages her extensive expertise in licensing, marketing, and business operations to drive strategic initiatives that empower NBA players and elevate their business pursuits. A graduate of the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, Inky spent over a decade learning and refining skills in the fashion industry, where she held pivotal roles at esteemed brands such as Donna Karan International, Sweetface Fashion Company, and Calvin Klein. Her journey also took her to Europe, where she gained invaluable experience with Pepe Jeans and Twenty8Twelve, before making a significant pivot to the Major League Baseball Players Association, fulfilling her dream of entering the sports industry as a young professional.

In 2017, Inky joined the NBPA as Vice President of Licensing, where she quickly made her mark before advancing to Chief Strategy Officer and ultimately becoming Chief Administrative Officer. In these roles, she has played a crucial part in shaping the association’s vision and strategy, ensuring that athletes are equipped with the tools and resources they need to thrive in their careers and beyond. Inky’s unique blend of experiences in both fashion and sports has positioned her as a trailblazer in the industry, and her commitment to empowering players is evident in every initiative she undertakes.

We had the privilege of interviewing Inky Son to delve into her insights on leadership and the evolving landscape of athlete empowerment. Her dedication to championing players’ voices and her visionary outlook on the future of sports management offer invaluable lessons for emerging leaders in the industry.

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Pivot Perfect | Jim Fogarty: “Productive Discomfort” – A Blueprint for Multi-Brand Transformation

As CEO of FullBeauty Brands, Jim Fogarty leverages his extensive expertise in finance and portfolio management to bring fresh energy into the organization and align it with modern consumer needs. Earlier in his career, he served as Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), followed by his role as Chief Financial Officer at Warnaco and later at Levi Strauss & Co.  In 2005, Jim was appointed President and CEO of American Italian Pasta Company.

With over 14 years of financial acumen developed at A&M, Jim took on the role of President and COO of Lehman Brothers Holdings in 2008, overseeing the complex process of winding down the firm. Renowned as a “turnaround professional,” Jim subsequently joined the plus-size retailer Charming Shoppes as CEO, tasked with stabilizing the organization during a critical restructuring phase.  He then led the multi-channel retailer Orchard Brands from 2011 until its sale in 2015.  After a brief four-year retirement, Jim returned to the business world as CEO of FullBeauty Brands in 2019.  Under his leadership, the company has embarked on an impressive revitalization journey, emerging from bankruptcy, reigniting existing brands, and acquiring new brands to expand its reach and better serve an underserved community.  Additionally, Jim currently serves on the boards of Darden Restaurants and Serta Simmons Bedding.

The Brownestone Group had the privilege of interviewing Jim Fogarty to uncover the business strategies that have cemented his reputation as a successful transformational executive.  We discussed the importance of leading with a customer-first mentality and the bold leadership required to unlock untapped potential.  We’re glad to share with our readers what we consider a mini “master class” on effective orchestration and strategic growth.

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Pivot Perfect | Beau Lawrence: A Spirit of Adventure – Creating a Brand Through Storytelling

Beau Lawrence is the visionary Founder and CEO of Ace Rivington, a premium denim lifestyle brand based in Santa Barbara, CA.  Born in Tennessee and raised in California, Beau studied math and science before pivoting to fashion design, graduating from The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles.  His early career included menswear design roles at The Territory Ahead and Union, and a notable tenure at Guess? Inc., where he rose from assistant menswear designer to global men’s denim designer and finally to Director of Product Development for Guess Factory and G by Guess.

Bringing formative experiences from this corporate foundation, Beau joined Shaun Neff at Neff Headwear as Vice President of Design & Merchandising.  In 2013, he embarked on a remarkable entrepreneurial adventure, beginning with a French terry sweatshirt inspired by a fictional character he created: the adventurous pilot Ace Rivington.  This creation marked the launch of a brand that has since opened a flagship store in Santa Barbara and soared to new heights through direct-to-consumer sales, wholesale, and collaborations.

As “C.E. Beau” of Ace Rivington, Beau channels his deep connection to the film industry and the art of storytelling into his brand’s ethos. His genuine care for others shines through in the brand’s numerous philanthropic endeavors, both local and global, and in offering customers full tailoring services and a lifetime warranty on all jeans. The Brownestone Group is enthusiastic to share Beau’s story, emphasizing themes of authenticity, a commitment to exceptional customer service and experience, and the power of turning dreams into reality.

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Pivot Perfect | Hans Schmitt: An International Competitor Who Plays to Win

Hans Schmitt is the CEO of AMOR Group, a global organization in the watch and jewelry sector with six brand monikers. In his first official CEO role, Hans has led the company’s international expansion from 15 to 26 countries—a testament to his wealth of experience in navigating the complexities of global business. Hans studied business economics and finance in Germany before embarking on an impressive career trajectory at Hugo Boss, where he joined as an executive trainee and quickly rose to President for the Japan region within a few short years. Subsequently, Hans began overseeing the United Kingdom and Nordic regions before being promoted to Senior Vice President of EMEA. In 2010, he was recruited to Warnaco as President, EMEA for Calvin Klein to drive strategy for the brand, before Warnaco’s acquisition by PVH two years later. Hans then joined Superdry as Managing Director International and Wholesale, UK, to lead growth initiatives in Europe and Asia.

In 2015, Hans was recruited to Diesel as EVP, Global Sales, reporting to Alessandro Bogliolo and later Renzo Rosso, and dedicated much of his time to overseeing business in the US and Canada. He also served as Diesel’s interim CEO for several months towards the end of his tenure, before pivoting from the world of fashion apparel to the jewelry and accessories industry. Since 2019, as CEO of AMOR Group, Hans is propelling the company towards new areas of growth across the world, including bolstering the company’s e-commerce footprint.

Hans’s blend of humility, intellect, and strategic foresight epitomizes the essence of exceptional executive leadership. The Brownestone Group is honored to share his invaluable insights on international leadership with our readers.

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Pivot Perfect | Kate Nadolny: “Personal Board of Directors” – A Mentality for Success

Kate Nadolny is the Chief Executive Officer of Bandier, her first CEO role in an already impressive career – and our newest Pivot Perfect interviewee. Her undergraduate education at Cornell University set the stage for her professional career, beginning in finance with Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers before shifting into the world of fashion and retail. Kate began as a retail analyst, then as a sales account executive, at Nautica with VF Corporation, and later ventured into roles managing US wholesale at Lacoste North America. From there, she began a meteoric ascent through PVH Corporation, starting in wholesale at the Director level and rising to Vice President and Senior Vice President roles in Sales & Merchandising, Strategy & Operations, and Innovation. Kate was subsequently appointed Regional Chief Operating Officer and Head of Innovation for PVH Americas. As of May 2022, she has been focused on leading her team at Bandier and positioning the brand as a formidable contender in the aspirational activewear space.

Additionally, Kate earned her Global Executive MBA from TRIUM, issued by NYU’s Stern School of Business, London School of Economics, and HEC Paris. She’s also had the opportunity to take on a wide variety of board roles throughout her career, aimed at empowering women in the workforce, promoting technological innovation worldwide, and enhancing educational opportunities for the youth in underserved communities. The Brownestone Group is proud to share Kate’s inspiring story with our readers as a testament to the power of education and unwavering perseverance.

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Pivot Perfect | Anddria Clack-Rogers Varnado:  The “Hidden Art” Behind the Curtain – Ambition, Engagement, and Vulnerability

Anddria Clack-Rogers Varnado is the Vice President & General Manager, Consumer Business, North America at Kohler.  She began forging an impressive professional path early, receiving a degree in business administration from Clark Atlanta University before earning an MBA from Harvard Business School.  As an analyst on Wall Street, Anddria gained valuable management consulting and strategy expertise with Citibank, New York Life Insurance Company, and ZS Associates before pivoting to the world of consumer products and retail at Williams-Sonoma as Vice President, Head of Strategy & Business Development.  Here, she secured the acquisition of Outward Inc., one of the largest tech M&As in the company’s history.  Anddria was later recruited as Vice President, Head of Strategy and Business Development at Macy’s, before joining Kohler in her current role to drive direct-to-consumer initiatives across online, in-store, and in-home channels.  She also serves on the boards of PATTERN Beauty, Red Robin, and Umpqua Holdings Corporation.

Over the course of her career, Anddria has been recognized by many publications, including Architectural Digest and Forbes, for her accomplishments, and was honored as one of the “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business” by The San Francisco Business Times.  Tim Boerkoel was honored to interview her for The Brownestone Group’s Pivot Perfect Thought Leadership series, diving deep into the concepts of authenticity, competence, empathy, and even theatre, resulting in a truly compelling feature on an inspiring, passionate leader.

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