The Jed Foundation

JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding and action for young adult mental health.

Chief Executive Officer

Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Advisory Board Member, Health Policy and Management Department

Social Innovation Summit

Social Innovation Leadership Council is a close-knit network of #CSR, #ESG, #DEI, and purpose-driven experts focused on supporting each other with questions or requests for ideas, resources, connections, insights, and more. Learn more at https://sisomni.com/.

Member, Social Innovation Leadership Council

The City College of New York

Executive Advisory Board, S Jay Levy Fellowship for Future Leaders

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Steering Committee Member

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company driven to improve the lives of those affected by chronic disorders of the central nervous system.

Member Board Of Directors; Nominating Committee; past member of Audit Commitee

BlackThorn Therapeutics (acquired by Neumora)

BlackThorn Therapeutics was a privately-held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in San Francisco. Acquired by Neumora (neumoratx.com).

Board of Directors; Compensation Committee; Audit Committee

Trek Medics International

Trek Medics International is dedicated to reducing the global burden of premature death and disability in vulnerable communities through the development of prehospital and emergency care services.

Advisor

HIV Experience Resources Organization (HERO)

HIV Experience Resources Organization (HERO) is an online resource to navigate a complicated system to get help if you are newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Crisis Text Line

Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 emotional support for those in crisis.

National Advisory Board Member

Nonprofit and public health leader focused on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for teens and young adults.

Successful track record launching and growing new products and organizations - participated in or led the launch of more than 30 new products and services.

John MacPhee

Vistage Worldwide, Inc.

Vistage is the world’s leading and most trusted executive coaching organization with more than 45,000 members across the globe. Together, groups of high-integrity CEOs, business owners, and key executives work on solving their most pressing challenges.

When you become a Vistage member, you will receive advice and feedback from successful executives who are passionate about helping others by sharing their knowledge, experience, and expertise. Monthly meetings with these high-caliber leaders will help you identify barriers to your progress. They will also point out exciting possibilities and opportunities to help your business grow.

The entire group works together to make better decisions and get better results that benefit your company, your family, and your community.

In addition, as a Vistage member, I provide you with individual one-on-one consultations every month to outline strategic action plans. I’ll go a step further by holding you accountable for taking action to meet your goals.

When you are ready to propel yourself and your company to new heights, connect with me at michele.breslin@vistagechair.com.

CHAIR - CEO Coach / Mentor / Advisor

Echo Design Group

With direct P&L accountability, led 45-member organization in the design, merchandising, product development and production for Echo brand, private label and licensed Ralph Lauren soft accessories (Men’s and Women’s Polo Ralph Lauren, Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Chaps). Business spanned scarves, cold weather, beach/swimwear, handbags, hats and outerwear, with global distribution across department stores, specialty retailers, ecommerce and the off-price channel.

• Merged three operating divisions to eliminate redundancies, reduce costs and streamline decision making while driving full collaboration and leverage of sourcing and development capabilities.

• Focused and elevated fashion assortments, creating cohesive, trend-driven collections and a clear, differentiated brand statement. 

• Instituted strategic, consumer-focused operating shift, greater financial discipline and enhanced cross-functional processes and business management practices to accelerate speed to market, ensure fashion relevance and drive margin improvement.

Chief Merchandising Officer | Echo, Custom & Men’s & Women’s Ralph Lauren Accessories

Macy's

Served on Executive Committee to build and strategically position Macy’s private brands — with best-in-class manufacturing operation — as a key point of competitive differentiation and growth engine. 

Led 100+ member cross-functional organization in concept creation, design, sourcing, product development and marketing of 29 private brands; vendor selection and relationship management with suppliers in mainland China, Italy, Korea, Thailand and India; and domestic design and manufacturing partnerships. 

Select career accomplishments: 

• Spearheaded development, launch and profitable growth of 21 new Accessories, Jewelry and Footwear brands.  

• Strengthened Macy’s Department Stores and E-Commerce partnerships and effectively influenced merchant leadership teams to increase investments in Macys’ proprietary brands. 

• More than doubled footwear business volume through new brand launches, growing from four to nine brands to capitalize on broader customer segments. 

• Built E-Commerce business to achieve double-digit growth, working with brand partners to ensure fully integrated online and in-store shopping experience. 

• Served as lead architect in transforming sterling silver business, with singular promotional strategy focus and negative growth trajectory, to fully branded business with cohesive merchandise collections. Built 5-brand+ portfolio to deliver significant revenue and margin growth. 

• Delivered year-over-year EBIT improvement through vendor matrix consolidation, greater leverage of supplier relationships, disciplined expense control and reorganizations. 

• Served as a positive, stabilizing force to sustain a highly engaged workforce through several major restructures and strategic business shifts. 

• Leveraging customer insights, championed localized merchandising strategy shift to develop differentiated assortments to meet unique US market demands.

Executive Vice President | Macy's Private Brand Leadership for Accessories, Jewelry & Footwear

Prior to company’s major reorganization in 2009, led private and branded merchandising strategy and management of core vendor relationships in domestic branded market. Promoted to senior executive role to steer transition to a targeted, exclusive focus on Macy’s private brand development and business growth.

Senior Vice President | Group Vice President | Accessories, Jewelry & Footwear

The Accessory Place | Lerner NY (Limited Brands) | Etage | Macy's

Began career in Macy’s Executive Training Program and transitioned into the specialty retail business as a Buyer of Jewelry and Accessories for Etage. Later progressed to a Senior Buyer at Lerner New York, owned by Limited Brands, and a Divisional Merchandise Manager at Accessory Place prior to returning to Macy’s in a senior leadership capacity.

Divisional Merchandise Manager | Multiple Buyer Roles

I spend hundreds of hours each year working with CEOs and business owners, helping them navigate the complexities of leadership. It's always been who I am --passionate about helping people become the best versions of themselves, both in business and as whole human beings. From recruiting and retaining top talent to tackling accountability, growth, and focus, my role is to challenge assumptions, foster awareness, and guide leaders toward solutions they couldn't achieve on their own.

As a NYC Vistage Chair, I focus on transforming leaders and their organizations. Drawing on over 35 years of experience in retail, including my tenure as the Chief Merchandising Officer at the Echo Design Group and an Executive Vice President at Macy’s, where I led teams of 185 people and launched 21 successful brands, I understand the power or relationships, trust, and empathetic leadership. I've always believed that leadership isn't just about driving results--it's about knowing the people you lead, helping them become the best they can be.

In my Vistage peer groups, leaders engage in monthly meetings where they receive honest, unbiased feedback and find clarity on key decisions. These deep discussions forge lasting bonds with like-minded leaders committed to mutual growth. My one-on-one coaching sessions dive even deeper into achieving success across business, personal goals, and overall well-being.
If you’re ready for a more productive, profitable, and impactful leadership journey, let’s connect. Reach me at michele.breslin@vistagechair.com

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