Elba Ocasio-Bersche: DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN – APPAREL & HOME FASHION in Seattle, WA

• Lead the design and product development process and champion team collaboration to successfully execute product launches to meet deadlines in all phases of the product development; achieve product targets with effective decision making while incorporating cross-functional team feedback. • Build and hire a full team. Mentor & coach the team, help grow them into the organization. • Guide the development of strategic plans, communications, timelines, roadmap calendars and deliverables for all development and creative services. • Direct time and action calendar for all stages from design to finished products to ensure timely deliveries for each season. • Develop and coordinate companies manufacturing agents and directs factory sourcing. • Forecast future production projections to book factory and fabric mill capacity. • Collaborate with design and development to assess product prototypes during development and assess viability for production. • Responsible for all detailed costing for the collection from proto stage thru to Production achieving to target margins.

Seasoned team leader with the ability to ideate and generate creative work that elevates and takes the brand forward. Build the Brand strategies and position the life style brands within portfolio to retail stores. Built a team and full concept from seed to launch. Setting the overall creative direction for the brand and ensuring consistency across all assets and channels. Bringing the brand to life through Apparel, Accessories and Packaging Design. Directing the Development cycle with strategic planning, and project management. Drive profitable growth for the apparel category across multiple channels and geographic markets. Create an apparel go-to-market strategy for the brands, inclusive of merchandising an apparel assortment; aligning the assortment to retail channel strategy. Develop growth forecasts for entire business unit and sales channels to ensure the highest level of service. - Set the creative vision and strategy for the CPG business and brand portfolio & Retail Stores.

Direct and develop licensed & proprietary brand strategies & business relationships that provide results. This includes identifying opportunities for growth. As well as develop strategic assessments for product categories and managing the business against operating plans and budgets to achieve financial and business objectives, which meet financial goals. Partner with cross-functional teams to determine optimal product assortment for multiple divisions. This includes ensuring that the new product initiatives add values to the company profile and brand stack. Focusing on Soft & Hard-Home goods. Lead consumer insights and market research to gain understanding of consumer, customer, competitive environment and needs for the product & brands. Mentor and supervise a staff of 15. Travel extensively to Asia, South America & Europe. -Generated $687+ million in annual sales. -Grew Brands from the Apparel side into Home Fashions, Hotel, Bongo, Kardashian, US Polo, Jaclyn Smith.