The co-lab career stories

Elizabeth Reid is a trailblazing communications and marketing leader who has helped shape some of the most prestigious global brands we know today. Over her 20-year career, she's led groundbreaking initiatives for iconic names like MAC Cosmetics, David Yurman, and Mulberry. What makes Elizabeth unique is her ability to master the art of blending creativity with consumer insights, consistently transforming brands through innovative strategies that deliver remarkable growth. Her career journey reflects a deep understanding that great marketing happens when powerful creative ideas are backed by real consumer understanding.

In this interview, Tara Cohen speaks with Elizabeth, a marketing lead and fractional CMO, about her illustrious 20-year career in communications and marketing. They discuss Elizabeth's work with iconic brands like Valentino, MAC Cosmetics, and David Yurman. Elizabeth also shares insights on balancing corporate experience with the flexibility needed for startup success, highlighting the importance of deep consumer understanding and adaptability in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

Aubrey Burrough is a NYC-based social media strategist at the The Brooklyn Brothers. Her past and present client roster includes Mastercard, LEGO, SOUR PATCH KIDS, Nutter Butter, OREO, LEGO, Universal Orlando Resort and more. She takes pride in pushing the boundaries of brand social and approaches her work with creative bravery and a special level of brain rot. Her work has been featured in places like Adweek, Marketing Brew, Ad Age, and the Link in Bio newsletter.

In this episode, Margaret interviews Aubrey Burrough, a New York-based social media strategist from Florida. Burrough shares her journey from founding a satire publication at Florida State to working at top agencies, including her transition from English major to marketing. She discusses her work with brands like Sour Patch Kids, emphasizes creativity and trust in client relationships, and offers advice to new grads on using social media for career growth.

Margaret was most recently an associate director for Vanity Fair, working under Condé Nast Entertainment. She led social video development and production for the magazine, working with A-list actors and musicians, as well as behind-the-scenes costume designers and other personnel. She's also worked at Wall Street Journal, Vox Media, and more in social media management roles and been interviewed at Digiday and Nieman Lab. Margaret is open to full-time opportunities in social media.

In this episode, Aubrey Borrough interviews Margaret, a social media editor based in New York City. Margaret shares insights about her education, career journey, challenges. She also discusses the evolution of her storytelling skills and her aspirations for future roles in the tech or beauty sectors.

Since 2011, Tracey Toole has channeled her love of baking and sewing into creating Traceytoole Designs, a line of tabletop linens, blankets, and home goods. As the founder, owner, and creative director, Tracey crafts each vintage-inspired piece by hand in Brooklyn, using sustainable materials such as upcycled, organic, and deadstock fabrics.

In this episode, Tracy speaks with JB Johnson and shares her journey from growing up in Pennsylvania and studying design in Portland, to working in New York's fashion industry. She discusses the challenges and successes she faced moving from a stable job to freelancing and starting her own business. Tracy emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and following one's creative passions.

Alicia Proctor is a Senior Executive, Visual Experience and Store Design leader who creates best in class visual storytelling for iconic/ luxury brands. She has led the visual strategy for Lancôme, Dior, Estee Lauder Companies Global Designer Fragrance division and Clinique NA. Her expertise includes designing innovative environments capturing the brand vision and elevating the consumer journey.

In this episode, Alicia talks with Alicynne Sher about her illustrious career in luxury and beauty, from her beginnings in California and Idaho to prominent roles at Estee Lauder. They discuss career transitions, challenges, and the evolving retail industry, highlighting the importance of storytelling and networking.

Alicynne Sher is a purpose driven, high impact and global seasoned commercial leader driving revenue growth and results for companies who support principles of the circular economy thru technology, recommerce, B2B and B2C business models. A certified digital marketing professional with years of experience leading customer strategy for sales success. 

In this episode, Alicynne talks with Alicia Proctor about her extensive career in the retail and fashion industry. Alison shares her Midwest origins and her journey through roles at luxury brands like Versace and Ralph Lauren. She emphasizes the importance of continual learning and sustainability, expressing her commitment to working with companies focused on sustainable practices for the future.

Vanessa is recognized as one of the most established and respected global voices in fashion and luxury PR. In the nearly two decades since founding BPCM, Vanessa has been instrumental in building legacy brands and launching brands that have become household names. ​An expert in navigating the ever-changing landscape, Vanessa often serves as industry insider and ally helping to usher in the latest industry disruption through her ability to anticipate market shifts and upcoming innovations.​

In this episode, Vanessa von Bismarck speaks with her business partner, Carrie Ellen Phillips about her unexpected journey into the PR industry. Vanessa shares her transition from being a commodities trader in London to starting a PR agency in New York. She offers insightful advice on building confidence and taking risks, while emphasizing the importance of connectivity and the joy of watching others grow.

Carrie Ellen Phillips is a partner in the global strategic communications and consulting firm BPCM, which she co-founded with Vanessa von Bismarck in 1999. Carrie spearheads BPCM’s flourishing Sustainability and Impact practice and has transformed it into the fastest-growing part of the agency. She is an established industry strategist in the fashion, beauty and lifestyle arenas, helping brands set and achieve sustainability and impact-driven goals while maintaining growth and profitability. She is a frequent speaker and advisor to the Bard MBA in Sustainability, a lecturer at Columbia University, and an advisor to private equity funds Closed Loop Partners and ReGen. She was also a founding partner of the U.S. Coalition on Sustainability at the United Nations and a policy advisor to the New Standard Institute.

In this episode, Carrie speaks with her business partner, Vanessa von Bismarck. Carrie discusses their business, a strategic communications agency specializing in fashion, lifestyle, beauty, automotive, and sustainability. Carrie also highlights the importance of pursuing work that excites you and shares insights into their sustainability practice developed over recent years.

Mawuse Ziegbe is a fashion executive with 15+ years of experience in management, marketing, strategy, and business development. She is the Regional Director, Americas for Camper, a Spanish contemporary footwear brand with presence in over 100 countries. In her current role, she oversees strategy and operations for North and South America across all sales channels, including digital, wholesale, retail, and distributor businesses. She has lived around the world and led teams in Europe, Oceania, and North America. Previously, she was an entertainment professional for media companies such as BET, MTV, and The Boston Globe. She holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from IESE Business School.

In this episode, Mawuse speaks with Ro Wilson about her start in entertainment journalist, transitioning to digital content and marketing in Europe, and eventually moving into general management roles in Australia and the Americas. She discusses how pursuing an MBA in Barcelona helped her pivot into the business side of fashion, emphasizing the importance of a global perspective and building strong professional relationships.

Rochelle Wilson has 7+ years of experience at the world's leading social/digital media platforms (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Google, YouTube) which has afforded her a deep-level of understanding to manage brand and performance marketing campaigns across social and content-focused platforms. As an effective relationship builder, listener, and problem solver she aims to deepen relationships with my key stakeholders to grow their business needs.

In this interview, Ro Wilson chats with Mawuse Ziegbe about her educational path at the University of Illinois, how she landed her internship at Google and her professional experiences at major companies like Meta and TikTok. She also shares insights on digital marketing, her passion for photography, and her plans to pivot towards brand marketing in the future.