How Helen Aboah Leads Innovative Teams Without Fear of Failure
In this episode of Women in Retail Talks, Women in Retail Leadership Circle Co-Founder Melissa Campanelli interviews Helen Aboah, the former CEO of Urban Zen, a luxury lifestyle brand and a philosophy of living by Donna Karan. Listen in as Aboah discusses her early career that led her to retail (2:06), how she applied storytelling skills to marketing a product to consumers (3:08), and her journey to her current role at Urban Zen (4:27). She explains the groundbreaking Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program that integrates Eastern healing modalities with Western science (6:44), how she incorporates wellness into her and her employees’ lives (7:54), and her leadership strategies to keep her teams engaged and innovative (9:06).
In addition, Aboah shares why she values mentorship and how mentors have helped her grow in her career (11:37), how she both mentors and sponsors others (13:20), and her take on the difference between mentorship and sponsorship (14:05).
Aboah is currently the chief operating officer and president of Atelier Jolie, a luxury lifestyle brand and creative hub for creators founded by entrepreneur, filmmaker, and humanitarian Angelina Jolie. Atelier Jolie is a hub for creativity, expression, and education. Atelier Jolie is removing the gatekeepers and outside influences allowing people to create with freedom regardless of trends. The brand is scouting the world to build a collective of members with a high-level of experience in each of their own skills ranging from, but not limited to designers, tailors, embroiderers, patternmakers, weavers, and artisans. All while doing no harm as sustainable and ethical fashion is central to the ethos and creative process of the company of putting people and planet first.
A graduate of Columbia University and Business School, Aboah first achieved success in television and film before pivoting to the retail industry. Prior to joining Atelier Jolie, she served as the Chief Executive Officer of Urban Zen by fashion icon Donna Karan, Chief Merchandising Officer and Executive Vice President at Alexander Wang and earlier as the Global Director of Merchandising and Product Development at LVMH/Donna Karan International.
Aboah is on the advisory board for Lubin School of Business at Pace University, Board Director at Project Rousseau, and Urban Zen. She lives with her family in New York City.
Date: July 5, 2022
Credits: Helen Aboah
Duration: 17:49
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