Jennifer Gootman

Founded and scaled Tory Burch’s global ESG function, designing enterprise strategy, governance, and systems. Aligned executive leadership and the board on climate, materials, packaging, circularity, and supply chain goals. Led board-level ESG governance, launched the company’s first consumer-facing sustainability communications and disclosures, and partnered with Technology to build a bespoke materials intelligence platform integrating PLM and financial data. Established value-chain carbon accounting covering 70%+ of supplier spend and delivered a science-aligned Scope 1–3 decarbonization strategy, achieving emissions reduction while driving margin-accretive circularity initiatives.

Translating my decade-plus of experience driving sustainable innovation and value creation within large companies into insights for the next generation of leaders as part of NYU Stern's Center for Sustainable Business's "Sustainability for Competitive Advantage" course.

Built and led enterprise-wide sustainability, social impact, and ESG strategy across an $8B+ multi-brand retail portfolio, delivering business-integrated, data-driven programs across eight brands and a complex global supply chain. Established the company as a recognized sustainability leader—earning placement on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies (2018–2022), driving 40%+ growth in responsible product, and achieving portfolio-wide sourcing targets for cotton (100%) and wood (50%). Led corporate ESG communications and disclosures, enterprise climate strategy (including the company’s first full Scope 1–3 inventory and Science-Based Target), supply-chain social performance transformation, and circularity and value-recovery innovations, generating $2.5M+ in resale revenue and reaching 100,000+ workers through wellbeing programs.

Defined and led West Elm’s values, responsible sourcing, and sustainability strategy, embedding commitments to local and global makers, Fair Trade, and ethical production into the core business. Positioned the brand as a category leader in values-based retail while supporting growth from $530M to over $1B in revenue. Led the launch of the home sector’s first Fair Trade factory program, built the West Elm LOCAL merchandising platform featuring 1,000+ U.S. makers across 100+ stores, and served as a founding partner of the Nest Standard for Ethical Handcraft to strengthen sustainable livelihoods for artisans globally.

Advised corporations, microfinance organizations, and nonprofits on social enterprise strategy, market opportunity assessment, and scalable programs at the intersection of business growth and social and environmental impact.

Led the organization’s end-to-end strategy and operations, scaling a global nonprofit social enterprise that connects artisan producers to retail and wholesale markets. Drove 250% revenue growth and secured the organization’s first national retail partnerships, including Club Monaco and Walmart. Built and managed a global supplier network of 40 artisan groups across 18 countries, strengthening sourcing, production, and capacity-building models to support sustainable livelihoods at scale.

Worked with fellow business and law students from Columbia and NYU in advising entrepreneurs seeking venture capital funding.

Performed in-depth consulting and strategy analysis for Accelerator and social impact fund designed to grow the small-and-medium enterprise sector in Latin America. Developed and implemented a scaling strategy for a jewelry business that trains and employs disadvantaged youth.

Developed and oversaw fiscal, fundraising, marketing, and publishing infrastructure and operations for the nonprofit magazine and think tank tackling issues of economic development, workforce development, and social justice.

Developed communications strategy and directed publicity for nonprofit art gallery, covering over 30 exhibitions and 20 events. Managed all branding, marketing, and PR, overseeing media relations and serving as primary spokesperson. Directed over 20 publications annually, from hiring essayists to supervising distribution after printing.