Creative, people-centered retail leader with 5+ years of experience specializing in visual merchandising, brand storytelling, project management, and team development. Proven success leading seasonal floor moves and new store openings while coaching high-performing teams that deliver exceptional customer experiences and drive sales.
Visual Merchandising
Project Management
Employee Development
CORE SKILLS
Change Management
Cross-Functional Leadership
Visual Standards
Space Planning
Brand Storytelling
Retail Operations
WORK EXPERIENCE
REI Co-op
Department Manager: Visual & Product Movement - Olympia, WA | Austin, TX
June 2024 - Present
Interim Department Manager - Austin, TX
December 2023-February 2024
Managed visual merchandising for a $22M store, leading seasonal floor moves, brand storytelling, merchandising standards, and product flow while developing cross-functional visual and operations teams.
Served as visual team lead for three NSOs and one relocation, guiding merchandising phases, training new and existing staff, and supporting store readiness.
Planned and executed Austin, TX full-store reflow, managing timelines, fixture deliveries, labor planning, and cross-functional coordination to deliver projects on schedule while maintaining business operations. Provided guidance to Olympia reflow to share expertise, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure successful execution.
Led store implementation of pilot programs for price changes and apparel reflows, partnering with corporate teams to provide execution feedback ahead of company-wide rollout.
Fostered a customer-first mindset across back-of-house teams, increasing confidence and participation in REI Membership and Mastercard conversations.
Supported hiring, scheduling, and ongoing development of more than 70 employees, providing coaching and performance feedback to build high-performing teams.
Sr. Sales Specialist: Visual & Product Movement - Austin, TX
October 2023-June 2024
Supported visual execution across four Southwest district stores, mentoring teams on brand storytelling, merchandising standards, and layout optimization.
Executed timely, data-driven merchandising strategies in response to business trends that contributed to strong YoY growth: Apparel +26%, Run & Fitness Apparel +53%.
Led multiple inventories; dropped inventory discovery rate to 32% & reduced prep time by 25%
Executed brand-sponsored displays that balanced brand guidelines with REI merchandising strategy to enhance customer engagement.
Visual Merchandising Lead - Austin, TX
September 2021-October 2023
Led multiple fixture package installs, leading the camping department reflow from concept through execution.
Visual Merchandising Specialist - Austin, TX
July 2021 – September 2021
Retail Sales Specialist: Apparel & Footwear - Austin, TX | Round Rock, TX
August 2018 – July 2021
The LIVESTRONG Foundation – Austin, TX
Fundraising and Events Intern
August 2018 – December 2018
EDUCATION
The University of Texas at Austin – B.A., Anthropology; Minor in Psychology
May 2018
Business Foundations Certificate, Forensic Sciences Certificate