Session: One Woman's Journey
Speaker: Susan Engel, CEO, Portero Luxury
Session Description: In her keynote presentation, Susan Engel, CEO of Portero Luxury, will relay her personal and professional experiences in a "man's world." From a very young age, Susan realized that women were always given a back seat to their male counterparts, and she had to work tirelessly to alter her fate, consequently blazing trails for women coming up behind her. From competing with classmates, getting into college, attending Harvard Business School and throughout her extensive professional career, Ms. Engel has faced and conquered any number of inequities and she will humorously share her personal anecdotes while also reflecting on the changed environment and the lessons that still need to be learned.
Speaker Bio: After graduating from Cornell University, Susan Engel began her career at the JCPenney Company in both the Corporate Human Resources and Marketing departments. In order to truly understand the impact of Headquarters, she spent time working on the floor of a store during its busiest times, learning the value of Keeping It Simple Stupid.
Susan received her MBA from Harvard Business School and her 14-year consulting career began at Booz, Allen and Hamilton. During her time at the firm, Susan focused on the retail and consumer goods industries, working on strategy, organizational and operational issues.
Next Susan joined the Sara Lee Company as the CEO of Champion Products, its athletic apparel division, and was at the helm when Champion was named the NBA’s Supplier of the Year. She left Champion and became President and subsequently CEO of Department 56 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before the company acquired Lenox Inc, maker of Lenox, Dansk and Gorham china and silver. She retired in January 2007 and in 2009, having moved back to New York City, she became the CEO of Portero.com, an internet retailer of pre-owned, authenticated luxury and vintage watches, jewelry, handbags and accessories.
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