Shelley E. Kohan has built an influential career in the retail industry, working as a professor, business strategist, consultant, speaker, executive producer, and podcaster. With more than four decades of experience, she has held executive leadership positions at major retailers and continues to shape the industry through her academic, media, and consulting work. Her dedication to education and business strategy has positioned her as a thought leader in retail. Ms. Kohan earned an Associate of Applied Science in fashion business merchandising from Fashion Institute of Technology before completing a Bachelor of Science in organizational behavior at the University of San Francisco. She earned a Master of Business Administration in strategic business management from Penn State.
Ms. Kohan began her career as a buyer’s assistant at Bloomingdale’s before moving into management roles at Bullock’s Wilshire, I. Magnin, and Macy’s West. Her expertise in buying, human resources, and store operations led her to senior leadership positions, including regional director of operations and director of logistics at Macy’s West, operating vice president at Bloomingdale’s, vice president of store operations at Saks Fifth Avenue, and executive vice president operations at Space NK Apothecary. In 2009, she founded Shelmark Consulting Incorporated, providing strategic guidance to global retail brands.
In addition to her corporate career, Ms. Kohan has dedicated herself to education. She joined Fashion Institute of Technology as a faculty member in 2002 and is now an associate chairperson and associate professor at the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology. She also teaches as an adjunct instructor at Syracuse University. Her courses cover business strategy, retail management, marketing, leadership development, and buying, integrating real-world case studies and practical applications. She is an advocate for students and a mentor for future retail professionals.
Ms. Kohan is a partner of strategy at The Robin Report and the executive producer and host of the weekly podcast Retail Unwrapped, where she shares insights about the retail industry. Most notably, she launched a leadership podcast, Lead Like Her, as a series dedicated to empowering students and young women to pursue leadership positions in retail. She is also a senior contributor to Forbes.com and serves on the advisory board for two startup companies. Her influence extends to various industry organizations, including Collegiate DECA and the National Retail Federation Association Student Foundation.
Throughout her career, Ms. Kohan has received numerous accolades, including recognition as a top retail influencer and leadership awards from Macy’s West. She has been instrumental in curriculum development at Fashion Institute of Technology, consistently earning high student evaluation scores and securing grants to enhance classroom learning. She serves in leadership roles, co-chairing the College-Wide Curriculum Faculty Senate Committee and contributing to multiple faculty senate committees.
Ms. Kohan attributes her success to her unwavering focus, curiosity, and commitment to continuous learning. She actively seeks opportunities to expand her skill set and contribute to the industry. She is passionate about making education more accessible and integrating real-world experiences into coursework to prepare students for their careers. Ms. Kohan plans to continue her leadership in retail education, advocate for lowering educational costs, and expand access to industry-relevant materials. She remains committed to shaping the future of retail through teaching, consulting, and thought leadership to ensure that the next generation of retail professionals is equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed.