RMI Magazine - Summer 2020

SUMMER

2020

R E T A I L

RMI

M A N A G E M E N T

I N S T I T U T E

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY

SUMMER 2020 ISSUE V

Our Mission The mission of the Retail Management Institute at Santa Clara University is to: Provide a platform for deep collaboration between leading academics and industry innovators to generate shared knowledge Prepare Retail Studies students for success in the new world of technology driven retail

Contents 03 RSSA President's Note 04 RMI Updates from Kirthi Kalyanam 06 Next Generation Semi-Finalists 08 Next Generation Finalists 10 2020-2021 RMI Executive Board 17 Meet Jodi Goldberg 18 Summer 2020 Internships

A note from the RSSA President

Grateful is an understatement for how I feel about unlocking the treasures of RMI throughout my academic and career development. I have greatly benefited from cutting-edge classes, informative events with industry leaders, connections of all kinds, and a strong support system. It is with great pleasure that I contribute to the support system and introduce myself as the President of the Retail Studies Student Association.

My name is Adèle O’Neill. I was born in Switzerland and lived there until I was twelve years old, when I moved to the suburbs of Chicago. I’m an Economics major and Retail Studies minor, interested in eCommerce and the intersection of retail and technology. I also find interest in sustainability, fashion, and human rights activism. Some of my values, which I hope to instill within RSSA, include the pursuit of purpose-driven work and having an open minded attitude. I hope to translate my values into an open, honest, and welcoming community where every student can feel empowered, confident, and find purpose within themselves and their work.

Ultimately, RMI has been at the core of my personal development over my college career. I applied in the spring of my freshman year with a gut feeling that it would take me in the right career path, and I could not have made a better prediction. I’m excited to give back to the program, and guide students through their own academic and career paths. There’s no doubt that the implementation of RSSA’s many treasures will look different this year, but nonetheless our executive board continues to impress me with their ideas and careful consideration. We have plans for exciting and engaging events, tailored to students’ current needs and settings.

In terms of industry news, eCommerce is on my mind! I am currently interning for the eBusiness Institute, a consulting firm that helps companies with digital transformation and eCommerce growth. There is no doubt that the rise of Covid-19 has completely transformed the role that eCommerce plays in the retail industry, and I’m fascinated to see how that happens. McKinsey & Company recently released data revealing that US eCommerce penetration experienced 10 years’ growth in just three months. This hockey stick growth is phenomenal, and I’m excited for myself and our RMI students to join this new generation of retail.

I feel very grateful for this opportunity to work with such a driven community of students and retail innovators. Thank you very much to everyone who has supported this treasure of a program, and I hope you enjoy this edition of RMI Magazine!

Adele O'Neill President, Retail Studies Student Association

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Retail is now a game of digital detail.

Dear Friends, Not surprisingly, the question at the top of everyone’s mind today is “Retail seems to be changing dramatically; what is RMI doing to keep up with these changes?”

I am often asked this question by prospective students, parents, retailers, industry executives, Silicon Valley companies and faculty both at Santa Clara University and at other institutions.

While change has always been a constant in the retail industry, this time has indeed been different. Covid-19, the shelter at home ordinance enacted by many local governments, limitations on store occupancy, and ordinances on face masks have dramatically changed consumer shopping behavior. As Google’s John McAteer pointed out in one of our classes, consumers' search behavior shifted first towards health and safety, and then towards essentials with an eventual return to other discretionary items. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs was truly in action.

or channel is the new normal. More generally, technology has become front and center in terms of how retailers interact with their customers. Fortunately for us, this intersection of technology and retail has always been RMI’s sweet spot and where we have a distinguished pedigree.

In addition to these changes in consumer interests, there has been a simple and highly predictable channel shift. As the costs of using the physical channel spiked, consumers were forced to use digital channels whether they finished the transaction online or in a physical store.

But of course, technology is not new to retailing.

Retailing empires have been built using technology. In the 1970’s, Walmart leveraged point of sale technology and satellite linkages to

To put it differently, selling and interacting with customers using a digitally enabled interface or 4

become one of the most successful retailers in the world. The current and fairly dramatic inflection is that consumers start their interaction with retailers using a digital interface.

So, unfortunately if you have a big picture perspective towards these new digital interfaces you are no longer in the picture. Retail is now a game of digital detail!

These digital merchandising capabilities have also led to new innovative retailers such as Amazon, Wayfair and Wish. But they are no longer alone. These capabilities are also being mastered by Walmart, Target, Home Depot and other retail giants. In many situations these capabilities are being added on top of existing retailing disciplines such as buying and supply chain management.

This brings us back to RMI. We have always excelled at the foundational disciplines in retailing. We have also distinguished ourselves at

the intersection of technology and retailing.

Leaning into and curricularizing these new digital interfaces comes naturally to us. It is indeed our sweet spot. As Wayne Gretsky might say, “The puck has skated to where we are!� Stay tuned to hear more from me regarding new initiatives from RMI in these areas.- Kirthi Kalyanam 5

2021 Next Generation Scholarship Semi Finalists

Cat Dinh '22

Eugene Choi '21

Madeline Wong '21

Marketing major & Retail Studies and Management Information Systems minors

Marketing major & Retail Studies and Studio Art minors

Marketing and Studio Art double major and a Retail Studies minor

Cat Dinh, Eugene Choi, and Madeline Wong, three RMI students, were among twenty-five semi finalists that competed for the NRF (National Retail Federation) Next Generation Scholarship. After an extensive process of networking, interviewing, and working through case studies, Choi and Wong have been selected as two of the top five finalists.

by Joycelyn George '21

The Next Generation Scholarship applicants first made videos about their personal brands, and wrote essays about the opportunities of in-store changes for a retailer of their choosing. The top twenty-five applicants then participated in a case study with PetSmart and had interviews with two retailers. Choi states, “The PetSmart case study taught me key success factors and tools to identify opportunities in the specialty retail industry.”

Dinh discussed how consumer interviews are very valuable when trying to solve a problem. She states, “By learning about different people’s perspectives and experiences, I was able to come up with ideas that I wouldn’t have been able to on my own.”

Throughout the process, Dinh, Choi, and Wong have been able to network with executives across the industry, as well as the other scholarship finalists. With a shared passion for retail, all were able to share insights and learn from one another. Dinh explains, “This scholarship award has already provided me with so many opportunities to speak with recruiters and other future industry leaders. I used this opportunity to reach out to my fellow semi-finalists, and I loved learning about all of their diverse backgrounds and why they are passionate about retail.”

Ten applicants, including Eugene Choi ‘21 and Madeline

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Wong ‘21, moved on to the next round of the process, and participated in quick-fire interviews with the NRF team. Five finalists, including Choi and Wong were selected for interviews with the NRF Foundation Board of Directors, where one will be named the top finalist. Wong ‘21 describes, “My favorite part of the experience was how much I've grown and learned about the industry in addition to [learning about] myself. Going through so many interviews made me really reflect on what was important to me, my goals, how the retail industry has shaped me, etc.”

All three students have learned so much from the scholarship process, and they have shared advice for retail students: Cat’s advice is to “network with retail professionals and do a lot of research to figure out what you want to be doing within the industry and what skills you should develop to get you there.” Choi says, “Be bold and be a sponge. Curiosity, adaptability, and resilience takes you much farther than hard skills. Always take the time to thank your recruiters, mentors, and anyone else on your team!” Wong explains, “My advice to retail students is to take chances and to try everything. I honestly did not think I was going to get this far in the competition, but I submitted just to try. I am so glad I didn't let intimidation get the best of me. It was a lot of time and work, but definitely worth it!”

In addition to working on the case study with PetSmart, Dinh interned, virtually, at Dell Boomi, a B2B SaaS company.

Congratulations to Cat, Eugene, and Madi, and we wish them all the best! Keep an eye on RMI’s online platforms out for more updates on Eugene and Madi’s progress in the competition.

Wong was a Commercial Operations intern at Rivian, a manufacturer of electric vehicles.

Choi was an Executive Store intern at Target.

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From classmates to best friends to finalists: Get to know Eugene and Madeline 8

by Joycelyn George '21

person for others even in the face of adversity, and he has taught me a lot about time management, work ethic, and humility.

Eugene and Madeline met at SCU's 2017 Summer Orientation. Originally from Orange County, California, studying Marketing, Retail Studies and Studio Art, and having a passion for retail are a few of the many things they have in common. Let's sit down with them and talk all things retail!

What did you do over the summer?

M: I was a Commercial Operations Intern at Rivian. I've focused a lot on fashion and beauty, so it was really cool to see more the technological side of retail and bringing innovation into everything. Since we are a new company, I also got to see everything from the ground up.

What are you most excited for after completing this competition?

Madeline: I'm excited to use my platform to gain more awareness for the retail industry and get students more excited for what's to come.

E: I was an Executive Store intern at Target learning store management, team leadership, and how to really drive welcome, safety, and ease in 2020.

Eugene: To use this experience as an example of overcoming a challenge. I took it one step at a time, and to come this far from where I started my freshman year, I'm really proud to show others that they can do the same.

What are some of your favorite retailers and why?

E: Target - As a shopper and as a team member, I really appreciate how well rounded they are in their investments. They made a lot of innovation in operations, merchandising, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and just a fun shopping experience that really set them up for success for the decades to come.

What has been the most valuable part of this experience?

M: All the interviews we've had allowed me to reflect on what I value and what I prioritize, and what my goals are for the future. This process has enforced my passion for retail and helped me gain confidence because we've interviewed with such high-level executives.

M: Eileen Fisher - With all the social issues that have come up in 2020, Eileen Fisher has genuinely stepped up and made their voice known. They are more in the spotlight now, but it has been a part of their values since their very beginnings.

E: Knowing that someone believes in me to make an impact in retail. It was rewarding to use my skills and values, and inspiring to know that the retail industry and top-level executives are constantly investing in innovation and development for the next generation.

What is your favorite part about RMI? E: Being part of a community where I can share my passion with a diverse group of students, and gain deeper relationships with mentors, alumni, and friends like Madeline!

Who is one of your biggest inspirations?

M: Kobe Bryant. He worked hard in all aspects of life.

He was able to make an impact, not only in basketball, but in other aspects of life, and was able to connect with people across the globe.

M: It's more than just a minor - it's a community. It's somewhere where I've had opportunities like this scholarship, grown in my leadership skills, developed skills for the corporate world, and built a strong foundation to hopefully become a leader in the industry.

E: Fr. Kyle Shinseki S.J. He exemplifies being a

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Meet the 2020-2021 RSSA

Executive Board Adele O'Neill '21, President Economics and Retail Studies

"Some of my goals this year are to create an inclusive environment, maintain our strong community, and deliver new enriching resources and experiences that work in the virtual setting. On a more personal level, perhaps one of my strongest passions is for fashion. I consider it an art form and hope to one day create my own brand of upcycled clothing. I’m especially interested in how the fashion industry will shift based on technological changes like the increase in eCommerce use and Augmented Reality."

Olivia Mannion ‘21, Corporate Liaison Marketing and Retail Studies "Although COVID 19 has made it difficult to organize corporate tours, I look forward to organizing various Zoom "Virtual Tours" instead! I have been interested in the retail and fashion industry from a young age and am hopeful about a future career in the industry! At SCU, I am involved in Women In Business, the Undergraduate Marketing Association, and Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority! My hobbies include playing tennis, discovering new restaurants, and watching romantic comedies! Fun fact: I have a twin sister!"

Eugene Choi ‘21, RSSA Recruiting Chair Marketing, Studio Art, and Retail Studies I’ve been working in retail since I was about 14 at my mom's fabric store. I'm passionate about eCommerce and emerging technology in retail. I joined RMI my sophomore year and looking back it was one of the best decisions I've made at SCU. This summer, I spent 6 weeks interning at Target! I've also been involved all around campus as a member of KSA, Adobe at SCU, and co-president of College Catholics. I love food, boba, LinkedIn, and teaching myself new things. Most of all, I love bringing people together whether it’s through an intramural team, social event, or RMI - which is why I’m very excited to be your Recruiting Chair for my last year at SCU! 10

Christine Coleman ‘22, RSSA Recruiting Committee Communication and Retail Studies In my free time I enjoy painting and making graphics. Before joining RMI I had no idea what I wanted to do with communications because the major is so broad. After taking classes for the RMI curriculum, I've discovered that I want to go into the retail world working closely with brands on PR and advertising. Being a Communications major, I had no idea I could minor in the LSB as a RMI student, and I feel like a lot of people think that. I want to let majors in other schools know that it doesn't matter what you major is, anyone can apply to RMI!

Maya Denzel ‘23, RSSA Recruiting Committee Marketing, Psychology, and Retail Studies I enjoy watching/playing basketball, hanging out with friends, spending time with family, traveling, and taking photos. On campus, I am involved in Chaarg, the Sports Business Club, the International Student Club, and of course the Retail Studies Student Association! I'm thrilled to be on the Recruiting Committee for 2020-2021 and work towards an exciting year by supporting the recruiting chair, organizing fun events and information sessions, and participating in fairs. Overall, I'm very excited to be on the RSSA Executive Board and look forward to working with everyone!

Andrew Gileo '21, RSSA Recruiting Committee Marketing & Retail Studies Hello! I am very passionate about the retail industry, especially the links between the in-store and online shopping experiences, and have previously worked in-store positions with Macy's and Target. I am a coffee enthusiast, especially cold brew, enjoy watching competitive cooking shows, traveling to major U.S. cities, and checking out local restaurants. As part of the RMI recruiting committee, I hope to be able to spread awareness of the career opportunities that exist in the retail industry for everyone, and correct the misconception that retail as a whole is past its prime.

Laura Korngiebel ‘21, RSSA Recruiting Committee Finance and Retail Studies My hobbies include running, skiing, buying shoes. I speak Spanish and Mandarin! I took a gap year where I was a manager at PacSun and ran the women's and kids' footwear departments at Nike. I hope to become the CFO of a technology company.

My goal on the team is to get as many Broncos to join (and love!) RMI as possible!

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Riely McCullough ‘22, RSSA Recruiting Committee Economics and Retail Studies Hi! I am a transfer student and currently a Junior at SCU! I hope to work in data analysis or forecasting and am excited about all the opportunities offered through RMI. In my free time I like to go to the beach, make earrings, and read.

Alex Park ‘23, RSSA Recruiting Committee Business Management and Retail Studies I love to exercise in my spare time and help others who are just getting into fitness through my knowledge and passion for weightlifting and general fitness. As a Recruiter, I really hope to make students excited about this opportunity and privilege that this club has to offer!!

Isabelle Sung ‘22, RSSA Philanthropy Chair Communication and Retail Studies I love dance, KKG, cooking, and my puppy! I also love traveling and picnicking at Dolores park!

Sophie Cichanowicz ‘22, RSSA Philanthropy Committee Communication and Retail Studies I am a certified yoga instructor and love to teach and take as many classes I can in my free time! In the future, my dream is to work for a clean beauty or skincare company. I am so excited to be on the Philanthropy Board because we will be raising money for our organization as well as for various groups in our local community. I can't wait to collaborate on ideas and get closer with all of the amazing other exec members!

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Natalie Elliott ‘21, RSSA Philanthropy Committee Communication, Retail Studies and Spanish "This past summer, I've focused on my remote Internship at Worldpay where I work in the Global Ecom department. When I'm not working, I like hiking, biking, cooking, and sewing. A fun fact about me is I studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain last fall, and that's where my picture is from! As a member of the Philanthropy Board this year, my goal is to help organize successful, safe fundraising activities and events for RMI members despite the COVID restrictions on campus."

Jaya Kapoor ‘23, RSSA Philanthropy Committee Communication and Retail Studies Some of my favorite things to do are travel, surf, upcycle clothes, thrift shop and make music. I love the outdoors and going on spontaneous adventures; this summer I spent a ton of time at the beach with my yellow lab puppy! Even though the 2020-21 school year will be very different and likely more challenging than before, I am dedicated to creating virtual fundraisers and philanthropic events that are just as (or even more) successful and enjoyable like they were before.

Katarina Draskovic ‘21, RSSA Mentoring Chair Business Management and Retail Studies I am a triple citizen (US, France, Serbia), and most of my family lives in Europe.

Before coming to SCU, I played junior professional tennis and attended the US National Tennis Academy. I’m also a huge outdoor enthusiast and enjoy spending time at the beach and taking long walks with friends. I've loved being part of the RMI Program and it’s amazing to be on the Recruiting Committee where I get to encourage others to apply and help them through the application process. Outside of RMI, I work at the Career Center and Alumni Association Office where I get to help students with the job/internship search and engage with SCU alumni.

Kate Knight ‘21, RSSA Mentoring Chair Communication, French, and Retail Studies As a Mentoring Chair, I am looking forward to coming up with creative and engaging ways to connect with other RMI students this year, no matter what our academic and campus life may look like. With my own graduation in mind, I am eagerly exploring post-graduate opportunities overseas to continue my education in Fashion Management!

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Madeline Wong ‘21, RSSA Mentoring Chair Marketing, Studio Art, and Retail Studies Some things I love: the beach, pretty sunsets, ice cream, & most importantly, RMI! I am looking forward to all the mentoring events we have this year and especially to see where our junior class will end up for their internships this summer!

Sophie Scher ‘21, RSSA Marketing Chair Communication, Retail Studies and Entrepreneurship I’m involved in The SCU Collective, which has been a fun way to get creative and write articles in my spare time. I also love practicing yoga and hiking. I’m passionate about the outdoors, so sustainability is something I really care about. I hope to work for a company whose values align with my own when it comes to sustainable business practices. This year, I hope to get people excited about RMI! Although I'm bummed a lot of things have moved online, retail thrives in the online space and I have no doubt we will have tons of great opportunities coming up!

Anna Becker ‘22, RSSA Social Media Director Communication and Retail Studies My goal is to keep everyone connected during these socially distant times. When I'm not doing that, you can find me outside hiking, swimming, and enjoying the sunshine!

Joycelyn George '21, Magazine Editor Marketing & Retail Studies I am the Editor in Chief for the RMI Magazine. I currently work in the apparel department at Nike, and I aspire to continue my career at Nike after graduating.

Outside of work and school, I love to make art. Painting, drawing, sewing, crafting - I am always down to create something! I also enjoy strength training, browsing through magazines and articles about design and fashion, and Target runs. As I wrap up my final year as a part of RMI and the RMI magazine, I hope that each publication will be able to fully capture the RMI experience, and share the joy that being a part of it has brought me!

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Addy Camisa ‘21, RSSA Magazine Committee Marketing & Retail Studies Joining the RMI Magazine team my sophomore year at SCU was one of the best decisions I've made on campus. I love seeing the ins and outs of the program and staying connected with the community! My time working with RMI has made me excited for a future in retail and eager to learn more about the evolving industry.

Brooke Eldridge ‘23, RSSA Magazine Committee Marketing, Retail Studies & Studio Art I'm super interested in the creative aspect of business, and I ultimately want to work in ad design/ branding. So, I can't wait to become more involved with RMI through my position on the magazine committee. This year, I am also the PR VP for IGNITE and the design editor for The Redwood. Even though I'll be living in Kansas City, I can already tell I'm going to get so much out of this year. I'm excited to meet more people and learn a lot!

Chloe Schechter ‘22, RSSA Social Events Director Marketing & Retail Studies My hobbies include yoga, hiking, and crocheting. I am a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, and a member of ACE Leadership Program.

Alexa Bolnick ‘23, RSSA Special Operations and Events Committee Marketing, Retail Studies and Spanish I love running: I ran varsity cross country and track all 4 years of high school. I love fashion and have a hard time keeping myself from online shopping. I love being outside and enjoying the outdoors, from hiking to kayaking to going to the beach.

I’m currently binging Brooklyn 99 and Dynasty.

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Emily Chao ‘22, RSSA Special Operations and Events Committee Management and Retail Studies I am a Peer Advisor for the Leavey School of Business and am involved in offcampus Greek life. In my free time, I enjoy playing lacrosse and golf, going on longboard rides, painting and watching Netflix. My favorite quarantine activity has been going on hikes and walks.

Carly Cieciura ‘22, RSSA Special Operations and Events Committee Marketing and Retail Studies My hobbies include skincare, working out, and traveling (pre-covid). My goals are to help come up with a lot of fun things for RMI and RSSA despite being virtual for fall quarter. My dream job is to live in New York and do fashion marketing for a large fashion company, like Gucci or Bottega Veneta, or a fashion magazine

Camryn Yuen ‘22, RSSA Special Operations and Events Committee Marketing & Retail Studies I love watching movies (any genre!), fashion, and all things creative. According to my movie journal, I've watched 119 movies so far this year and will also be co-president of the Bronco Film Society this year. I'm excited to be part of the RMI Exec Board this year and am looking forward to getting more people involved in RMI as well as working alongside people with the same interests and goals as me!

Welcome back, RSSA! Even though we will be attending classes and events virtually this quarter, we still have so much planned for you all. From guest speakers to fundraisers, we have been working hard to prepare for a fun and exciting quarter. Follow us on Instagram, @retailsantaclarau, for more updates and announcements.

See you online!

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Meet Google's Head of Industry, Apps & eCommerce Marketplaces

by Addy Camisa '21

Jodi Goldberg is an industry leader in a number of different industries including: retail, eCommerce, global marketplaces, app and direct to consumer. During her past eight years at Google, Goldberg has innovated as a Senior Account Executive, a Head of Industry for Direct to Consumer eCommerce and currently works as the Head of Industry, Apps & eCommerce Marketplaces.

Additionally, Goldberg works as a Google For Startups Advisor. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jodi to get her take on the current retail climate and ecommerce trends. Opinions stated here are her own and not on behalf of Google.

Today, with the growth of eCommerce, there is an emphasis on performance and branding. Goldberg states, “I definitely saw that evolve over time with the rise of direct-to-consumer, where it was much more of an online-first business that then looked to...developing an offline store, a retail experience.” In addition, the ecommerce world has evolved to be more transparent. In Goldberg’s words, e-commerce has been “cutting the friction to make things cheaper, easier, more transparent.”

key theme...is flexibility and leaning in. It’s thinking forward to ‘What are the trends?’ and how to provide that value.” She states that with the right resources, startups have the opportunity to be flexible and play where there is momentum. One of Goldberg’s favorite parts about working with startups is “learning about the way people solve problems…and seeing how they are finding white space in so many different areas.” She appreciates the less traditional horizontal learning model of taking inspiration from different places, trying things out and testing them to gain experience that way.

Goldberg has seen firsthand the micro and macro effects of COVID-19 on e-commerce and global marketplaces.

The question that she asks is: Which changes will stick? In terms of after the pandemic, Goldberg states, “I think some [retailers] will go back to an in-store model, or some people that are buying online might prefer different ways of doing it,” creating a move back to instore shopping.

Moving forward, Goldberg gives a piece of advice for new graduates and current seniors. She advises, “I’m a really big believer in having a point of view of what interests you and brings you joy and what you think is important, but also needing a healthy dose of being open to opportunities that come your way and not overengineering something.” As we all move forward in this post-COVID 19 environment, this is an important lesson to take with us in a time where little is easy to predict.

Goldberg believes that a re-evaluation for companies brought by COVID-19 involves a change to their global supply chain, logistics and manufacturing strategies. As businesses rethink their operations to sustain a global economy, there will be a push to diversify, enter more local markets, and think regionally.

Working largely with startups, Goldberg believes that “the 17

Summer Internships

From Grocery Outlet to Target to Nike, our seniors' internships took both virtual and traditional forms. While the pandemic has challenged retailers across the country, it has also encouraged them to expand their digital strategies and adapt their in-store operations. Our seniors had the unique opportunity to experience these changes hands on throughout their summer internships.

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Addy Camisa '21 Digital Marketing Intern at Ergobaby "My favorite part of working at Ergobaby is how much of a caring environment it has been. They truly want to help you grow as a person and employee, teaching you things along the way. The company’s passion for sustainability also makes me extremely proud to be a part of their work.

A favorite internship moment of mine was helping launch their new carrier recycling program, Everlove. It was amazing to be part of an initiative positively impacting the environment and giving new life to products."

Meghan Nuti '21 Purchasing and Planning Intern at Grocery Outlet "Given that everything was virtual, the meetings, project/presentation, and intern events all took place over zoom, but they were all just as fulfilling as if they were in person! I was able to learn about each department within the company from both the purchasing and planning side, which allowed me to further understand the unique, opportunistic business model that Grocery Outlet has.

My favorite part of Grocery Outlet is its outstanding company culture. I truly had never met such a humble, welcoming, friendly, and thoughtful group of people before starting this internship. The company is very family based and strives to hire people that fit its community driven culture. Each and every employee at Grocery Outlet was willing to answer any of my questions or provide feedback on mine and the other interns final project. For example, we had weekly “Connect with Execs� meetings, where we were able to ask questions and spend time with an executive in the company, something not all companies offer. I am so grateful to have been immersed into such a special company culture during these past 10 weeks as an intern."

Sofia Lippman '21 Social Media Marketing Intern at Metamorphosis Partners/Muttropolis "A typical day working for Metamorphosis consists of attending the morning meetings with my coworkers and making sure everyone is on the same page for the day! My job was to upkeep all social media, write blog posts, and help with website merchandising.

The most important thing I've learned is what a startup is like and how a fast paced environment works. I've also had the chance to talk to some of the executives and see the experiences that have helped form their careers. I've learned the importance of communicating with customers and how important it is to present a united front through all communication channels."

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Sophie Scher '21 Marketing Intern at Sun Bum "[My favorite moment was] hanging out with the many dogs that come in and out of our Moonlight Beach office!

Sun Bum preaches the “Work Less Live More” lifestyle, and this really shines through in their offices. It never really feels like work when you’re there; it’s full of people who have perfected working hard but having fun along the way. As a company, they have so many great programs involving outreach into the community. It’s been awesome working for a company that places so much emphasis on the planet and its people. [It is] hands-down the coolest company I’ve ever worked for."

Claire Edwards '21 eCommerce + Digital Intern "Sun Bum has the most incredible culture that I’ve ever experienced in a workplace. I interned at the company last summer when everyone was working in person, and I was amazed at how laid back yet incredibly motivated and efficient everyone was. Not to mention, our four offices are all a block up from the beach in San Diego, so surf breaks and trips to the taco stand are a normal part of the workday! I had no doubt that this was the place I wanted to be.

Moving from marketing into the eCommerce/digital space this summer has allowed me to experience a different side of the company and get to know a new group of amazing people. Even though everyone is working from home now, there is such a vibrant energy that keeps us all connected. I think that Sun Bum employees are genuinely passionate about the brand and its values, honoring that small beach community feel and bringing it to all consumers even as we continue to grow."

Natalie Wilder '21 Strategic Solutions Global Ecommerce Intern at Worldplay My favorite part about Worldpay is the company culture.

When I first got started, I was pretty intimidated by being on a big team and not having a lot of other interns to work with.

However, everyone made a point to reach out to me, offering their advice and help regarding anything I might need. This allowed me to reach out to my coworkers without hesitation when I was confused or unsure of something. I'm so thankful for my team's dedication to making my internship so valuable and putting in the time to ensure I learned everything about the complex industry of payments.

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Eugene Choi '21 Executive Store Intern at Target "My favorite part of Target is how they drive their team members to be leaders and think from the guest lens. I felt empowered to make an impact and bring my unique strengths and insights, whether it was to write a leadership training manual for the district or letters to the doctors & nurses of the local hospital.

One of the most important things I learned in this internship was when I was on a Zoom call where I heard that, “the most important resource in retail is people” from our CEO Brian Cornell."

Katarina Draskovic '21 Associate Product Marketing Manager Intern at Google "My favorite part of interning at Google was having the opportunity to be surrounded by such smart and motivated people. Everyone is passionate about the work they do, and it was so inspiring to work alongside people that always challenged me.

The most important thing I learned this summer is that you should not see your career as a straight line, but rather a zigzag. I’m such a planner and when I came to college, I was always seeking to map out my careers, 5, 10, 20 years out. I felt that if I didn’t have a plan, it meant I wasn’t going to be successful. However, learning from leaders at Google, I came to understand that it is totally okay to leave college without knowing exactly what you want to do. Having an open mind and focusing on growing your skillset is more important than trying to find your dream job right away."

Thank you to the following companies, especially to our mentors and managers, for offering such an amazing experience!

Banana Republic · Baukjen · Brandy Melville · Cisco · Couture Designer EuroMens · Cross-Border Commerce · Donnelly Sports · Ergobaby · Facilitron · Fitz & Co. · FlexIt Fitness · Google · Grocery Outlet · Kemper Development Co. Shopping Centers · Malwarebites · Nike · North Sails and Untuckit · Palapa Lounge Beachwear · Rakuten Ready · Rivian · Salesforce · Sun Bum · Surfitlocker · Target · The Anxious Pet · Timbre Technology · Tory Burch · Williams Sonoma · Zig & Zag Return Management 21

Retail Management Institute Advisory Board

Faculty & Staff

Barry J. Feld, Chairman

Kirthi Kalyanam, Ph.D., Executive Director, Retail

Cost Plus World Market

Management Institute

Kirthi Kalyanam Ph.D.

Gail Kirby, Ph.D., Marketing Professor

RMI Executive Director

Wei Shi Ph.D., Marketing Professor Cynthia Gamage, Associate Director, Retail

Kamelia Aryafar, Google

Management Institute

Kent Anderson, Gear UP Consulting

Cindy Cooper, Projects & Programs Manager

Mark Brashear ‘83, Consulting and Serving on Board of Directors' Soumik Chatterjee, Petco Michelle DeMartini-Wlazlo, JCPenney

Retail Studies Student Association

Ken Duane, Phillips-Van Heusen Corp.

Executive Board

Tom Fanoe ‘68, Thomas Fanoe Consulting Barry Gilbert, WineVIP

Adele O'Neill, President

Gautam Gupta, M13 Ventures, Co-Founder

Olivia Mannion, Corporate Liaison

NatureBox

Isabelle Sung, Philanthropy Chair

Mark Lavelle, Magento, an Adobe company

Philanthropy Board: Sophie Cichanowicz,

Matt Murphy ‘02, Montage Ventures

Natalie Elliot, Jaya Kapoor

Mike Osario ‘84, Tori Richard Ltd.

Eugene Choi, Recruiting Chair

Gisel Ruiz ‘92, former Wal-Mart

Recruiting Committee: Christine Coleman,

Michael Schriver, Louis Vuitton

Maya Denzel, Andrew Gileo, Laura

John Strain ‘90, Old Navy

Korngiebel, Riely McCullough, Alex Park

Chantel Waterbury ‘97, INSPR

Mentoring Chairs: Madeline Wong, Kate

Jim Miller, Wayfair

Knight & Katarina Draskovic Sophie Scher, Marketing Director

Emeritus

Anna Becker, Social Media Director

David Folkman

Joycelyn George, RMI Magazine Editor

Ellen Magnin Newman

Editors: Addy Camisa & Brooke Eldridge

Philip Schlein

Chloe Schecter, Social Events Director

Joseph Tomaselli

Special Projects and Events Committee: Alexa Bolnick, Emily Chao, Carly Cieciura, Camryn Yuen

22

Meet the Editors

Joycelyn George

Addy Camisa

Brooke Eldridge

Editor in Chief

Assistant Editor in Chief

Editor

I have been with RMI since fall 2017, and I am a starting my third and final year as an editor. I did journalism in high school, and I really enjoy getting to know and learn from our interviewees. I also love being able to design the finished publication.

I joined RMI at the end of my sophomore year in 2019. I have loved being a part of the magazine committee for the past year and a half! My favorite part of being on the magazine team has been working with our amazing members to share what we've been up to with the community.

I've been a part of RMI since the first quarter of my freshman year in 2019.

Though this is only my first year as an editor, I have really enjoyed learning more about RMI as a community so far.

My favorite opportunities at RMI have been the trips to New York, and getting to learn from industry executives!

I am from San Jose, CA. Fun fact: I work at a Nike retail store. My role includes merchandising in the apparel department and offering customer service.

My favorite RMI events include the insightful corporate tours the program facilitates, such as Levi's, Williams Sonoma and many more!

I currently live in Los Angeles, CA. Fun fact: I love cooking and anything at the beach in my free time!

The best RMI events I have gotten to attend are definitely the different career-based series that guest speakers put on. The spring 2020 Crisis in Retail series was especially interesting.

I am from Kansas City, Missouri. A fun fact about me is that I try to be outside as much as possible!

A special thanks to Cindy Cooper for her support throughout each publication!

23

R E T A I L

RMI

M A N A G E M E N T

I N S T I T U T E

Santa Clara University 500 El Camino Real, Lucas Hall Suite 111 Santa Clara, CA 95053-0399

Stay Connected www.scu.edu/rmi @retailmanagementinstitute @retailsantaclarau @retailscu @rmi_santaclarau Retail Management Institute SCU