Open to opportunities

Amanda Starling

@amandastarling

Message

Experienced executive director specializing in industry relations and education.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I am looking for opportunities that foster collaboration, innovation, and professional growth in the education sector.

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

Current

Executive Director Industry Relations

Current

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.

ATS CRM Staff Reorganization Student Engagement Alumni Relations BPPE Reporting Professional Development Industry Events

Current

Department Chair, The Business of Denim

Current

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.

Accreditation Standards Curriculum Development Mentoring Project Management Circular Models

Current

Department Chair, International Manufacturing & Product Development

Current

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.

Program Coordination Faculty Hiring Student Travel Educational Development Event Production Fashion Industry Program Learning Outcomes

Current

Department Chair, Special Projects

Current

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.

Project Management Educational Development

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.

Curriculum Development Accreditation Standards ASTM Campus Relocation

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.

Curriculum Development International Business Gerber PLM System Coursework Management Academic Instruction

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.