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Paula Zusi (Apparel Design, 1982) has been named as
Chairman of the American Apparel and Footwear Association. Paula Zusi is the second female chairman elected to lead this prestigious organzation. Representing more
than 1,000 world famous name brands, the American Apparel and Footwear Association is the trusted public policy and political
voice of the apparel and footwear industry, its management and shareholders,
its four million U.S. workers, and its contribution of $361 billion in annual
U.S. retail sales (AAFA Mission, https://www.wewear.org).
Paula Zusi is an accomplished senior executive in the
apparel industry with over 30 years of experience. Currently, she is the Global
Operations Advisor - Retail Supply Chain for Advent International, a global
private equity firm with $30B under management. In this capacity, Paula advises
Advent's retail portfolio companies on supply chain operations. Prior to
joining Advent, Paula was the EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer of Ann Inc.,
parent company of the Ann Taylor and Loft brands, a $2.5B specialty retailer
with over 1000 stores in North America. In this role, she had responsibility
for the end to end supply chain, from product development through distribution.
Previously, Paula held a number of senior executive roles including Corporate Vice
President of Sourcing and Manufacturing at Liz Claiborne, Inc., where she had
sourcing oversight for more than 30 brands, including Juicy Couture, Lucky
Brand Jeans and Kate Spade. Paula holds a bachelors degree from University of
Delaware, and is an active Advisory Council member of the Department of Fashion
and Apparel Studies.
Article by Hye-Shin Kim, March 6, 2017
