MEET THE TEAM

OUR BOARD MEMBERS

TORY BURCH

Tory Burch is the Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Tory Burch LLC, an American lifestyle brand. She launched the company in 2004 with a boutique in New York City and an ecommerce site. The brand has since grown into a global business with boutiques from New York to Paris and Shanghai. In 2015, she launched Tory Sport, a performance activewear collection that balances cutting-edge functionality with classic design. 

Social responsibility has been a part of the company from its inception. In 2009, she launched the Tory Burch Foundation to advance women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship in the United States by providing access to capital, education and digital resources, as well as a Fellowship program.

Tory also serves on several boards including the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. In addition, she is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and of the Founding Advisory Council of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she lives in New York City with her husband and sons.

HAYLEY BOESKY

Hayley Boesky is managing director and executive vice chairman of Global Corporate & Investment Banking at BofA Securities, the institutional broker dealer business of Bank of America. In this role, she collaborates across all enterprise lines of business to deepen relationships with the firm’s clients around the world. She also serves as a liaison with the global policymaking community, fostering connectivity on areas at the forefront of market and regulatory developments. Boesky previously served as vice chairman of Global Markets.

SUSAN DUFFY

Dr. Susan Duffy is the Executive Director of the Babson College Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL), a co-founder of the Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab venture accelerator, and an inspired educator and advocate for inclusive innovation as a driver of social and economic growth. Throughout her career Susan has recreated what is possible for the organizations she leads across diverse sectors including pharma; professional services; robotics; and education. Susan earned her Ph.D. from The George Washington University, is a member of the prestigious Wilford White Fellows of the International Council for Small Business, and received the 2019 Practitioner of the Year award from the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Susan is a member of the National Women’s Business Council, sits on the board of the Tory Burch Foundation, and serves on the Expert Advisory Group of the Bio-Science Investor Inclusion group.

YASMIN GREEN

Yasmin Green is the director of research and development for Jigsaw, a unit within Google focused on solving global security challenges through technology. She previously pioneered approaches to counter violent extremism and state-sponsored disinformation, including seeding the first online network of former violent extremists and survivors of terrorism, launching the Redirect Method advertising-based program to confront online radicalization, and informing cross-platform responses to coordinated disinformation campaigns. Prior to this, Green co-chaired the European Commission’s Working Group on Online Radicalization from 2014 to 2015. She is a member of the Aspen Cybersecurity Group and the Digital Commission on Information Disorder at the Aspen Institute and the Anti-Defamation League Board of Directors.

ROBERT ISEN

Robert is Chief Legal Officer & President of Corporate Development. He joined the Company in September 2008.  Prior to joining Tory Burch, Robert was an entrepreneur/founder, key operating executive, and advisor with various companies; including Bemis Company, Continuum and Viapack. He launched his career as a corporate attorney in Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA before moving on to Paramount Packaging Corporation (a Philadelphia-based global packaging company) as General Counsel and Executive Vice President. Robert received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Duke University before graduating from Boston University School of Law. He is a member of Young Presidents Organization/WPO and serves on the board of Tory Burch, LLC.

TRACEY KOZMETSKY

Tracey Donoho Kozmetsky is a philanthropic leader in her 26th year of work with the Kozmetsky Family Foundation, formerly the RGK Foundation, which is an independent foundation committed to sparking meaningful impact through grants for basic needs, education, and health, with special emphasis given to veterans, women, and children. She is a member of the University of Texas at Austin School of Undergraduate Studies Advisory Council and Dallas’ Crystal Charity Ball. Tracey served on the Board of Directors of Dallas Children’s Medical Center and is a former president of the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center Board of Trustees. She is the recipient of the Dallas North Star and Ruth Sharp Altshuler Awards.

Tracey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree Magna Cum Laude from Texas Christian University. She began her professional career in New York City at Women’s Wear Daily/Fairchild Publications and went on to work in marketing and business development at Cosmair/L’Oréal Professionnel. She continued her professional growth and development by co-founding a Public Relations firm, Engelking Kozmetsky Communications in Austin, Texas.

PERRI PELTZ

Perri Peltz is an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, journalist, and public health advocate. Most recently, Perri created the documentary news series Axios on HBO with Matthew O’Neill. Perri & Matthew also co-directed and produced the 2019 HBO Documentary, Alternate Endings: Six New Ways to Die in America. Previously, Perri directed the HBO documentary, Warning: This Drug May Kill You, about the opioid addiction epidemic. She produced the HBO documentary Risky Drinking and co-directed A Conversation About Growing Up Black as part of the “Conversation on Race” series for The New York Times Op-Docs. Other films include HBO’s Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr. and Prison Dogs. Perri hosts “The Perri Peltz Show” on SiriusXM and is a doctoral candidate at Columbia University’s School of Public Health. She was previously an award-winning broadcast journalist for NBC, ABC, and CNN.

DEBORAH ROBERTS

Deborah Roberts is an award winning journalist at ABC News who serves as a Senior National Affairs Correspondent. Roberts regularly reports for 20/20, Good Morning America, Nightline and World News Tonight with David Muir. She also contributes as a fill in host on The View and substitute anchor on Nightline. Roberts has been awarded a Peabody for her in depth reporting on the Breonna Taylor story as well as multiple Emmy awards for her international and national coverage of hard hitting issues. Roberts is also an author of Been There Done That: Family Wisdom For Modern Times, a book she co-wrote with her husband, Al Roker. Roberts makes her home in Manhattan with Roker and their children.

JAMES ROBINSON

Jamie is Founder and CEO of TAPP Technologies, a beverage analytics and engagement company. Launching his career as a certified NFL agent, Jamie has negotiated sports and entertainment merchandising, licensing and sponsorship agreements totaling in excess of $1billion. He has also created marketing campaigns on behalf of a number of the nation’s leading brands including Hallmark Cards, Fanatics, GAP, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Rawlings Sporting Goods, Dunkin’ Donuts and Many others.  

In his spare time, Jamie loves to search for “earth’s treasures” and was the first person to prove that Dinosaurs and T Rex once roamed Sweet Grass County in Montana. He is a Member National of The Explorers Club and collects art and is an aspiring chef. 

TONY TJAN

Tony Tjan is CEO of Cue Ball Group, a private investment firm focused on long-term and transformative opportunities across technology, media and consumer brands. He also is co-founder and Chairman of MiniLuxe, the lifestyle nail care brand that is positively changing the industry, and was the founder of ZEFER, one of the earliest web application companies. Previously he played senior leadership roles at Thomson Reuters and the Parthenon Group. Tony has written over 100 pieces for Harvard Business Review and is a New York Times best-selling author of Heart, Smarts, Guts and Luck and author of Good People. He serves on the MIT Media Lab Advisory Council and is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

ANDREA WISHOM

Andrea Wishom – President, Skywalker Holdings LLC has spent her career telling stories, leading eclectic teams, and creating successful high-profile projects.

Andrea joined Skywalker as the Chief Operating Officer in June of 2015. As the leader of this diverse organization, she oversees all day-to-day operations for various business, philanthropic and creative entities. Her largest project to date is as Vice President of The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. She is the key strategic planning and development lead for the museum, a $1billion first of its kind institution with a focus on visual storytelling, art, and film.

An award-winning media executive, Andrea joined Skywalker from Harpo Productions where she spent over two decades launching and developing some of the most successful programming in television history, first for The Oprah Winfrey Show, and later for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. During her 22-year career, she produced some of Oprah’s most memorable and highest rated programs, including “Oprah’s Farewell at The United Center,” “President Barack and Michelle Obama” and “Oprah Winfrey Presents: Legends who Paved the Way.” When the Oprah Winfrey Show ended in 2011, Andrea helped transition the company from the daytime juggernaut into a start-up production company that would develop, create, and program for OWN, a new cable network. In 2012, she was named Executive Vice President of Programming, Production and Development where she developed unscripted programs and launched some of OWN’s key primetime interview shows like Oprah’s Next Chapter which was filmed all over the world including countries like India, Brazil, France, and Barbados. She would later become Executive Producer of Super Soul Sunday, winning a GLAAD award for the interview with Janet Mock. Because of that early programming, OWN would become a top 30 network in its first year and is now the #1 Cable Network among African American Women.

Andrea expanded the Oprah brand as well as her creative talents beyond media and was a creative and programming lead for Oprah’s Life You Want Tour, a multi-platform media venture centered around Oprah’s 8 City live arena tour.

Committed to helping start-ups and non-profits develop successful and effective narratives, Andrea joined the Advisory Board of Spokin, a mobile app that connects consumers navigating food allergies. She also serves as Board Member for CASEL (Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning), the Make-Believe Association, and The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.

Andrea grew up in San Francisco and earned her B.A. degree in English from The University of California, Berkeley.

VIVIAN ZELTER

Vivian’s professional background started on Wall Street in finance. She was a corporate bond trader at Lehman Brothers before she left to start a family. Vivian has over 20 years of philanthropic experience. Her interest in education led her to become a long-term Board member at George Jackson Academy, a middle school for underserved boys in downtown Manhattan. She also serves on the Board of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice and has recently been a lead supporter of its new Social Justice Scholar’s Program. Additionally, Vivian is on the Board of the UJA Federation of New York (United Jewish Appeal) and serves on its Community Initiative for Holocaust Survivors Committee. Vivian’s passion for art extends to being an active member of the Chairman’s Council at the Metropolitan Museum and the Education Committee at the Whitney Museum. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

REEPAL SHAH

Since 2016, Reepal Shah has been an advisor to Robinsway Family Office. Prior to Robinsway he held key executive roles in various companies in fashion industry and retailing; including, Donna Karan, Foot Locker, Kate Spade and Tory Burch, where he was CFO. Reepal received his master’s in business administration from New York Institute of Technology in finance and operation. He also received his master in commerce from India Gujrat University in accounting and auditing. He currently sits on the Baublebar board as advisor. Reepal has been married to Swati for 30 years and has 2 children Vareel and Pareel. He enjoys spending time with family and friends in his spare time. 

OUR STAFF

LAURIE FABIANO

Laurie Fabiano is President of the Tory Burch Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation has established a national Fellows program for women entrepreneurs, launched a global #EmbraceAmbition campaign to shatter stereotypes and has provided $60 million in low-interest loans to women entrepreneurs in a partnership with Bank of America. Laurie has a long history of advancing philanthropic endeavors. As Senior Vice President of the Robin Hood Foundation for ten years, she helped grow the organization’s grantmaking from $11 to $154 million to support poverty-fighting organizations. She also produced Robin Hood’s annual fundraiser, the most financially successful non-political fundraiser in the country. Prior to that, she produced AIDS Walks and Dance-a-thons countrywide and also served as Deputy Mayor of Hoboken. Most recently, she ran her own marketing and events company, Fab Tool, working with clients including Amazon.com and Harlem Village Academies. She is the author of the best-selling novel Elizabeth Street, which was recently optioned by Sony Pictures/TriStar Television.

GABRIELLE RAYMOND MCGEE

Gabrielle is Chief Operating Officer of the Tory Burch Foundation. Under her leadership, the Foundation’s digital initiatives have become go-to resources for women entrepreneurs. Gabrielle is responsible for creating the Seed Box, a sold-out curated box featuring women-owned products and for marketing the Capital program, which has deployed $60 million+ in loans for women. She conceptualized the digital campaign: EmbraceAmbition.org celebrating female ambition, which has reached people in 98% of the world’s countries. She previously worked for Major League Baseball as part of the Special Events and Cause Marketing teams working on the All-Star Game and World Series. As one of the first employees in MLB’s cause marketing department, she conceptualized and launched the League’s first-ever site dedicated to all 30 Clubs and players’ charitable initiatives via MLBCommunity.org. While at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, she launched the national PSA campaign, OurBravest.org, which builds technology-led homes for quadruple and triple amputee Veterans returning home. She holds a Master in Public Administration in Nonprofit Management from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. Gabrielle received the Stanford Intellectual Contribution Award three times. In 2018, she was named to the Marketing Hall of Femme, celebrating the brightest female talent in marketing.

MOLLY HEFFERNAN

Passionate about storytelling – Molly Heffernan believes businesses can have purpose and a positive impact on communities. An experienced Marketer skilled in digital strategy, and communications Molly has ideated and executed campaigns for nonprofits and major brands, including the Tory Burch Foundation and North America’s largest YMCA. Currently, Molly serves as the Director of Marketing & Digital for the Tory Burch Foundation where she helped launch ToryBurchFoundation.org, the global campaign #EmbraceAmbition, the flagship Fellows Program, first-ever Tory Burch Foundation pop-up shop, and the TODAY Show featured Seed Box. She holds a B.A. from Elon University and an MPA from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

HEESUN LHO

Heesun has spent over ten years in the entrepreneurship world as a founder, investor, and connector and is now empowering women entrepreneurs as the Director of Programs for the Tory Burch Foundation. Prior to joining, Heesun was a Venture Partner at 500 Startups, an early-stage fund and seed accelerator with a global portfolio of over 2,500 companies. She moved from Seoul, Korea, where she was Co-Founder and CEO of Vengine, a recruiting platform for startups. Heesun began her career at YouNoodle, a startup based in San Francisco focused on building a meaningful platform for entrepreneurs around the world. Consulting closely with product and large-scale campaigns, Heesun helped develop YouNoodle’s technology as well as implement and support entrepreneurship programs for large corporates and governments as their VP of Projects. She has also mentored and coached hundreds of early-stage startups over the years. Heesun received her M.A. in Education and B.A. in Human Biology from Stanford University, where she also served as Co-President of BASES (Business Association of Stanford Entrepreneurial Students). Heesun remains on the Board as an advisor for BASES.

TRISHA SALERNO

Trisha is a seasoned development and events professional with more than ten years of nonprofit experience. Trisha began her career working for Susan Ulin Associates, a fundraising and event management consulting firm, handling a wide array of nonprofit clients in Manhattan. She then spent six and a half years working for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) founded by the late Evelyn H. Lauder. In her role as Associate Director of Development and Events, Trisha was responsible for the coordination, fundraising and execution of several high profile annual events, delivering $15 million in revenue annually for the Foundation. Most recently, she worked as the Senior Manager of Distinguished Events at the American Cancer Society and was responsible for one of the Society’s highest grossing fundraisers nationwide. Currently, Trisha serves as the Director of Development & Events for the Tory Burch Foundation where she leads the Foundation’s fundraising and partnership efforts and is responsible for the planning and execution of all Foundation events, most notably the Embrace Ambition Summit. Trisha holds a B.A. in Political Science and Women’s Studies from The George Washington University.

DESIREE BROWNE

Desiree Browne’s varied and unique career path has been driven by a lifelong interest in finding untold stories. Guided by her interest in the arts, she began her career in book publishing and digital media, all while contributing features to outlets like the Village Voice, the New York Observer and Latina.com. Desiree then turned her passion for fashion history and the power of personal style into copywriting and social media roles at major fashion and retail brands, including Coach, J.Crew and Victoria’s Secret. Her commitment to building a better world brought her to the Tory Burch Foundation, where she supports and amplifies the work of women who shape their communities through entrepreneurship. Desiree received her B.A. in American Studies and English Literature from Columbia University.

SAHARA LAKE

Sahara is a Campaign and Community Manager focused on social impact and mission driven business strategies to drive action and transformative results. After graduating from The George Washington University with degrees in political science and dance, Sahara worked as an educator in Baltimore City and has continued to have a career in the non-profit sector, building innovative programs that make a positive impact. Sahara most recently served as the Senior Manager of Community Impact at DoSomething.org, the largest organization for young people and social change. Sahara currently serves on the Board of Directors for the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester and the Board of Trustees for Greenwich Academy.

ALLIE WEISS

Allie is a seasoned marketer who is passionate about the intersection of cause and brand. While managing projects at digital and traditional advertising agencies, Allie oversaw award-winning projects for both small companies and large brand names like P&G, Walmart, Conagra Foods, Kroger, and American Financial Group. At DoSomething Strategic and DoSomething.org, Allie strategized on activating young people for social change. The marketing initiatives ranged from developing and executing on social media, to putting on multi-city immersive pop-up experiences, to registering first-time voters. Allie studied Marketing, Studio Art, and Peace & Justice Studies at Xavier University. She was chosen to be one of eight Community Engaged Fellows for her proven dedication to social justice causes and commitment to include community engagement as part of her undergraduate experience. Her four years as a Fellow deepened her commitment to supporting the development of young women, gender equality, and the destigmatization of the HIV+/AIDS population.

GRACE KING

Grace joined the Tory Burch Foundation team in 2019 and currently serves as the Foundation Coordinator. In her role, she provides research and administrative support for the entire team in its efforts to empower women and entrepreneurs. She has been instrumental in producing the Foundation’s highly successful Small Business Webinar Series. Prior to joining the Foundation, Grace spent time in Washington D.C. as an Investor Relations Intern at The Carlyle Group. She is passionate about advancing opportunities for women and has worked and volunteered for a variety of progressive political organizations. She holds a B.A. in Global Studies and Communications from St. Lawrence University, where she served in a variety of student leadership roles and played on the Varsity Women’s Golf Team.