The Brownestone Group

Finding Talent. Strategizing Solutions. Building Businesses.

Thought Leadership

Pivot Perfect | Jill Granoff: Passion, Purpose, and People – Keys to Building Brands and Future Leaders

Jill Granoff, Managing Partner of global private equity giant Eurazeo and CEO of its Brands division focused on high growth consumer and retail brands. Based in New York, she is responsible for leading investment activities and overseeing the performance of Brands’ portfolio companies globally. Jill is an accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience leading consumer-driven companies.  She is best known as a strategist and brand builder in the beauty, fashion, and retail industries. Prior to this, she was the CEO of Vince, where she led its IPO achieving a $1B market cap. 

Prior to this role, Jill was the CEO of Kellwood Company and Kenneth Cole Productions. Earlier in her career, she held executive positions at Estee Lauder, Victoria’s Secret, and Liz Claiborne, where she had global responsibility for Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, and Lucky Brand.  She has also served on the boards of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Demandware (now Salesforce Commerce Cloud), Cosmetic Executive Women, and the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is a long-standing member of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women and has received numerous awards and recognition for her visionary leadership.The Brownestone Group’s Tim Boerkoel conversed with Jill to discuss the major pivots in her career journey within very diverse product categories and customer markets and the strategic prowess and savoir-faire that is intertwined through all her roles.

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Pivot Perfect | Matt Petersen: Vulnerability and Empowerment Rise Above as Most Valuable Leadership Skills

Matt Petersen, CEO of OPTE, an incubator business from Proctor & Gamble’s (P&G) Ventures Studios, and a hybrid product for precision skincare and makeup that uses technology to reduce the need for traditional complexion products. It is unique in its combination of beauty and technology and is shaping both the personal skin care and at-home categories. As a “recovering CMO”, Matt humbly views his diverse career as the result of excellent training, modeling of several influential leaders on his path, and some courageous choices along the way. Matt previously worked in a variety of brand and marketing roles for Walt Disney Company, Mattel, Inc., PepsiCo, Jafra Cosmetics, International, and Neato Robotics, along with Board positions for Jafra, Neato, OPTE and LA’s Best.

The Brownestone Group’s Tim Boerkoel met with Matt to discuss the major pivots in his career within very diverse product and customer markets and the knowledge and expertise that is woven through all of his roles.

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Pivot Perfect | Ivy Ross: Artist, Learner, and Leader

Ivy Ross: Artist, Learner, and Leader

Ivy Ross is the Head of Design for Hardware Products at Google, a role designed for her given her proven strengths in creative design, brand marketing, and leadership.  She honed these skills at an array of companies including Bausch & Lomb, Coach, Calvin Klein, Mattel, Old Navy, The Disney Store, Gap, and Art.com.

The Brownestone Group’s Tim Boerkoel spoke with Ivy about her left and right-brained approach to her work as a maker and manager, traversing industries as she strives to make “things” better.

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Pivot Perfect | Mindy Grossman: Inspiring with Passion, Purpose, and Impact

Mindy Grossman: Inspiring with Passion, Purpose, and Impact

Mindy Grossman is the President and CEO of WW (formerly Weight Watchers), continuing a tradition of bold career choices and leading brand transformations. A veteran leader of Ralph Lauren, Nike, and HSNi, and a Board Member of a diverse set of companies, she has contributed a great deal to the industries of fashion, retail, wellness and beyond.   

The Brownestone Group’s Founder, Tim Boerkoel, spoke with Mindy about her ability to see opportunities for innovation, evolving teams and companies, and pivoting perfectly.  

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Pivot Perfect | Jim Conroy: Building Brands Through Clarity, Commitment, and Culture

Jim Conroy, CEO of the billion-dollar retail success Boot Barn, has shifted between consultancies and global brands throughout his professional life.  From Deloitte to Blockbuster, Kurt Salmon to Claire’s, he has led buying, marketing, operations, supply chain and more, culminating today in his best role yet.

The Brownestone Group’s Tim Boerkoel spoke with Jim about his diverse experiences, the internal and external forces that shaped his career, and the quiet but exceptional growth of Boot Barn.

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Pivot Perfect | Paula Schneider: Leading into the Future, from Fashion to Philanthropy

Paula Schneider is the President and CEO of Susan G. Komen, a nonprofit organization that saves lives from breast cancer by investing in breakthrough research, public policy advocacy, and through a suite of patient support efforts helping people facing breast cancer in communities across the country.  However, before taking on this top role in philanthropy, she served as President and CEO of several fashion businesses including American Apparel, BCBG Max Azria, Laundry by Shelli Segal (a division of Liz Claiborne), and Warnaco’s Designer Swimwear (including Speedo and licensees Calvin Klein, Nautica, Michael Kors, and more). 

The Brownestone Group’s Tim Boerkoel asked Paula to share her multifaceted career, an impressive journey spanning education, fashion buying/sales, and fashion/retail general management, culminating in her position today leading one of the most influential and prominent nonprofits in the world.

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