Theresa R. Fortunato, SPHR, has built a successful career in human resources (HR) that spans more than two and a half decades, with a deep commitment to putting people first. Since 2024, she has been leading TRF Solutions as founder, principal consultant, and fractional HR executive. In this role, she provides strategic HR guidance to small to mid-sized and growth-stage retail businesses, particularly in the fashion and luxury space. Her day-to-day focus is on fostering alignment between leadership and teams, creating people-focused strategies, and steering overall operations to help brands scale with intention.
Before launching her firm, Ms. Fortunato served as group vice president of human resources at OTB from 2021 through early 2024. During this time, she guided the organization through restructures, coached leaders through complex transitions, and helped navigate potential mass layoffs with empathy and clarity. From 2019 to 2021, she was vice president of human resources at Valentino S.p.A., where she helped shape HR strategy across key business functions.
Ms. Fortunato’s earlier roles include executive director of human resources at CELINE between 2015 and 2018, where she focused on aligning HR policy with company goals. During her tenure at Coach, she climbed the ranks from assistant store manager for training, sales, and service in 2001 to associate store manager for people development in 2006, followed by human resources business partner in 2010, and ultimately human resources manager from 2012 to 2014.
Ms. Fortunato notes that education has played a pivotal role in shaping her journey. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in marketing communications from Adelphi University, followed by a Master of Science in business education from Hofstra University. She later added a second master’s degree in organizational effectiveness, human resources management, and development from New York University. She also furthered her skills with a Senior Professional in Human Resources certification in 2018 and certification in Hogan Assessments in 2020.
Moreover, Ms. Fortunato remains engaged with industry trends through her membership in the Society for Human Resource Management. Beyond her professional life, she gives back as a board adviser for Mentoro, a role she took on in 2025, and volunteers with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
For Ms. Fortunato, her most defining achievement has not been a title or a milestone, but her resilience. Throughout her life and career, she has met uncertainty with grace, tackling challenges head-on and finding clarity in complexity. She explains that her decision to step away from the corporate ladder and start her own business was a declaration of independence and self-trust. And while entrepreneurship brought its share of unknowns, she has leaned on her experience, network, and unwavering adaptability.
Ms. Fortunato credits her success to passion, curiosity, and a deep desire to uncover solutions. Guided by integrity, honesty, and a collaborative spirit, she has always prioritized people, even when the work is hard or goes unnoticed. In a field where recognition can be rare, she takes great pride in having earned the trust and appreciation of those she has worked with over the years.
Looking to the future, Ms. Fortunato is focused on building a brand that reflects the depth of her expertise and goes beyond a traditional HR label. She aspires to continue working to shape a thoughtful, balanced client portfolio and remain hands-on with employees, with an aim to grow TRF Solutions into a trusted name known for its values, people-first philosophy, and lasting results.