Amanda Starling
@amandastarling
Experienced executive director specializing in industry relations and education.
What I'm looking for
I am an accomplished executive director with extensive experience in transforming professional development processes for students and alumni in the fashion and design industry. At the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, I successfully increased student engagement by 25% within eight months through strategic staff reorganization and innovative programming. My leadership has facilitated over 25 industry meetings weekly, fostering connections between students and industry leaders.
Throughout my career, I have held various department chair positions, where I conceptualized and authored accreditation standards, mentored students on international industry trips, and collaborated with Fortune 500 companies to enhance educational outcomes. My commitment to sustainability and industry relevance has led to the successful execution of numerous projects with major brands, ensuring a 100% graduation rate across multiple programs.
As a former president of Cass Industries, I managed international production and developed private label merchandise for top retailers, achieving significant profit margins. My diverse background in education and industry positions me uniquely to drive impactful initiatives that bridge the gap between academia and the fashion industry.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Executive Director Industry Relations
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
May 2021 - Present (4 years 2 months)
Transformed the professional development process for over 1,000 students and 10,000 alumni using proven ATS standards. Led industry CRM database updates for accuracy of industry contacts, job postings, and student interactions.
Department Chair, The Business of Denim
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Jan 2013 - Present (12 years 6 months)
Conceptualized and authored accreditation to meet industry standards, academic rigor, and retention with a 100% graduation rate. Researched and built industry projects with major brands like Levi's, Lucky Brand, and Guess.
Department Chair, International Manufacturing & Product Development
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Sep 2008 - Present (16 years 10 months)
Coordinated with Fortune 500 companies such as Nike and Disney to mentor a 9-month student program. Produced an industry fashion event for over 600 attendees to showcase collections and student portfolios.
Department Chair, Special Projects
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Sep 2003 - Present (21 years 10 months)
Initiated and established a new department for grants and funding, securing over $350,000 annually for student industry opportunities. Devised and implemented industry corporate education programs, working with over 70 executives.
Department Chair, Textile Science
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
May 2005 - May 2021 (16 years)
Updated coursework for over 18 textile classes across 7 majors to meet accreditation, industry AATCC, and ASTM standards. Managed and oversaw over 25 staff, 1,200 students, and an 11,000 square foot lab facility.
Instructor
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Jan 2001 - Sep 2003 (2 years 8 months)
Researched and created International Business coursework for over 1,500 students within the Merchandise Marketing major. Coordinated, trained, and oversaw the development and implementation of the Gerber PLM system for over 1,000 students.
President
Cass Industries
Mar 1996 - Jul 2003 (7 years 4 months)
Partnered with international factories in the UAE, China, Oman, Sri Lanka, and India to meet production standards for JCPenney and Walmart. Designed, produced, shipped, and sold over $10M in private label merchandise annually.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Master of Business Administration, Business Administration
Completed a Master of Business Administration program, focusing on advanced business principles and management strategies.
University of Arkansas
Bachelor of Science in Education, Education
Obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education, gaining foundational knowledge in educational theories and practices.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
Authorized to work in
Job categories
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