CURRENTLY…

I look back thus far and think: the best is yet to come. Currently, I am seeking my next opportunity to make an impact to the company, product and the people I will work with. After parting ways with my Abercrombie family after 16 incredible years, I am energized and eager for the next step and am looking forward to growing professionally and personally. I can't wait to learn new things and meet new people!

MY CAREER…

I'm so grateful for my past experiences, most recently, A&F. This portfolio, my resume, and the words here cannot describe the amount of knowledge, skills, friendships, and growth I've gained, having worked on all the brands and with the top most talent in the industry. My role as Senior Design Director, head of Boys Design for abercrombie kids, was the perfect culmination of my career at A&F, in terms of expanding professionally beyond solely design; I had the privilege of leading incredible teams, having major involvement with all product-facing initiatives and decisions, and working with cross-functional teams such as marketing, influencers, visual/ stores teams, stylists, and customer insights team to name a few. The company as a whole has been through a plethora of highs and lows during my time, and having been able to be part of the evolution of leadership, strategies, product, and brand positioning is invaluable. I know my impact was crucial to taking the brand to where it is today and where it is heading in its future. The highlight reel: late night creative directions; reacting to business from monday selling; digging ourselves out of all the controversy; international travel; learning first-hand and onsite from within the factories and mills; vendor dinners; the immensely talented and inspiring people I worked alongside; mentoring team members into leaders; constant growth; constant change.

Prior to A&F, I worked at Jones New York in the heart of the Garment District in NYC. My office was right in front of the infamous Button and Needle landmark. I designed Womens Moderate Sportswear for the brand, Bandolino. Not my first love, but it was my first job out of college that I hustled to get and was so proud of! This is where I grew thick skin for the industry, having just left my sleepy little college town with my spiral-bound physical portfolio in hand. Simultaneously, I was working as an administrative assistant at Kleinfeld's Bridal… I needed a second job because living on $28K/ year in NYC was not gonna cut it! My time at Kleinfeld's was right BEFORE the TLC show "Say Yes to the Dress." And yes, working there was exactly like the show.

I studied at Kent State University's School of Fashion Design and Merchandising and was fortunate enough to do the study abroad fashion program in Florence, Italy, with people who are now some of my greatest friends and peers. I minored in International Business which proved to be more useful than I had imagined. And during university, I worked as a server at a local steakhouse (the kind where you throw peanut shells on the ground) to pay my study abroad debts and visa bills loaded with charges of pantone markers, micron pens and bolts of fabric and trim.

MY WORK ETHIC AND LEADERSHIP…

I aim high. I always strive for more but am empathetic when it comes to driving business, leading others and leading myself. I am intentional when designing and when making decisions. I am optimistic and resilient. I seek to impact. Inspire. Lead. I find purpose in being able to sow into people, coach them, and believe in paying it forward. I am a person with a grateful heart, but I'm never satisfied because I can always be better, do better, and help more people.

THINGS THAT LIGHT ME UP CREATIVELY…

Sentimental pieces like artwork, vintage jewelry, decor, family heirlooms, historic buildings brought back to former glory, homes with character and craftsmanship… I have an appreciation for a story and the history. I enjoy re-envisioning and redesigning spaces for my husband's remodeling company. We have an exciting project happening with a historic Art Deco building in downtown Columbus. Someday, I would love to remodel and modernize an old motel into a hip quaint place to stay for the creative community. I enjoy being involved with the Columbus Museum of Art and helping in their mission to nurture creativity and foster a lifelong learning of art in the community.

WHAT ELSE…

I've been married to a wonderful human named Lee, who partakes in my hobby of eating out and trying out new restaurants; we love all food and have zero allergies and so, we eat everything and spend far too much money eating out. I have a personal weakness for almond croissants, a good charcuterie board, butter in Europe, traditional Korean bibimbop; dirty martinis, Maine lobster, and Philippine mangoes. I love staying at cool hotels. I love Swedish and Danish furniture, and am especially obsessed with chairs. I like to make time to meditate, even if its for 10mins in the bathroom while my kids are pounding at the door. Love Ryan Serhant and Kelly Wearstler. Mel Robbins podcasts. Reading hard copy books. Post-its. And I love a good t-shirt + pair of jeans + sneakers, but also have a weakness for splurging on luxury pieces I can eventually hand down to my daughters (<-- how I justify it, ha!) I have a personal affinity for Ferragamo after studying in Florence and being in the presence of one of his grandsons at an event held by the school.

MY HOME BASE:

My 2 hilarious kids. My awesome and talented husband, Lee. My massive family that spans across the country and internationally but manages to remain close-knit. My brother, my parents, my in-laws. I've always dreamed of building a family compound for my immediate family similar to my great grandmother's street in the Philippines (each kid got a property to raise their family in and stay nearby each other.) My parents are from the Philippines, now U.S. citizens. I hold them on the highest of pedestals because of their grit, resilience, and undying spirit for attaining success and a fruitful life in the U.S. It was them that embedded in me the idea that anything is possible if you work for it and you don't quit.