Monica Maldonado

● Lead in execution of sourcing, development, production, testing, compliance and quality programs ● Own and adhere to calendar across all key product lifecycle milestones ● Partner with factories overseas in sourcing, manufacturing, and quality in domestics, textiles, automotive, beauty, and home decor ● Direct the critical evaluation of samples and protos against the intended design, specifications, and line plan to achieve the final approved bulk product ● Acknowledge the constraints of manufacturing and explore alternative or parallel approaches to harmonize design objectives, budget considerations, and project timelines. ● Actively manage all vendor and factory relationships including workflow, timelines, and costing ● Guide the product development process being considerate of materials, construction, quality standards, delivery requirements, and margin goals ● Continually evaluate new suppliers to ensure an effective network of best in class vendors to support all channels or business ● Negotiate profitable product costs and contract terms including lead times, MOQ and volume discounts with vendors and manufacturers to achieve margin goals ● Collaborate with sales on new concepts and techniques to support continuous product innovation

● Lead and manage the product development team and projects from pre-season to launch collaborating with Design, Product Strategy, Supply Chain, and other internal and external stakeholders ● Identify and assess best sources/partners appropriate to the Brand to drive product strategies and capability/capacity needs to enable category growth, new product opportunities and market innovation ● Create efficient and streamlined workflow processes to attain optimal results in execution accuracy, shortening lead-times, lower minimums and costs; support the implementation of new processes ● Develop and manage influential partnerships with internal and external partners to deliver optimal business goals and results, while providing collaborative inputs to cross-functional partners in Planning, Sourcing, Merchants and Finance; reporting to VP and leading cross-functional teams of 10+ ● Ensure all development and product sampling activities are tracked and delivered on-time for briefs, protos, salesman, pre-production size sets approvals to final manufacturing-ready product ● Deliver on-time and accurate development product costing in adherence to critical calendar milestone dates; oversee the briefing and development of all new trims and label packaging for all product categories in line with the go-to-market calendar, partnering with department heads to align schedule ● Help to create and define short-term and long-term collaboration strategies for the brand global; attend seasonal trade shows and meetings with fabric vendors to view new collections and fabric trends

Full service apparel production consultant specializing in development of brands from the conception of an idea to the development of the final product, we help to bring visions to market. Design seasonal collections, manage pricing, sourcing, and related projects for deliveries, monitor current and emerging fashion and consumer trends for children’s clothing manufacturer Rehna Raiya (2021 and ongoing) • Supervise all production, supplier management, and strategic development of the brand, drive the execution of sourcing activities including vendor and supplier selection, negotiation, and quality control; approve fit/size specifications • Collaborate on mobile app development for same-day apparel delivery for fashion shopper (Shop Rocc:it, 2020-2021); developed business plan, established financial estimates including costs, budgets, funding, and potential investors; responsible for all content strategy and management • Acted as interim Director of Merchandising & Design (Mejesti, 2018-2019); designed brand development strategy, product development, branding, and creative direction for Men's Contemporary categories • Advised on market analysis, trend forecasting, vendor relations, purchasing, and sourcing with research and recommendation of processes to support the growth of the organization’s current product and service offerings • Owner Bella Rose Playwear (2016 – 2019) and landed a major retail account with 64 stores selling at 20% sell-thru weekly, and 20+ specialty stores; $500,000 in year 1 • Merchandised and prepared collections for showrooms and market/shows, managed digital social media, email content strategies and content development • Devised a retail strategy for boutiques and major department stores and oversaw sales reps and 2 production facilities • Merchandised and prepared collections for 3 showrooms (LA, NY and Dallas) along with 6 markets annually; designed seasonal collections

Womens clothing manufacturer specializing in sportswear for both missy and extended sizes. Superior quality garments serving women across generations, personalities, and style. • Executed projects in design, product development, private-label manufacturing, import and export, supply chain management for apparel in women's categories • Traveled to China to work with manufacturers; collaborated with China team of 8 and managed strategic partnerships and production for clients • Enhanced B2B marketing strategies and launched new lines into 10+ retail stores; expanded private-label business to generate $4+ million annually • Supervised international production and product development for faster-turn opportunities on behalf of clients • Handled company trend forecasting including analyzing market trends, buying habits, and researching silhouettes, colors, fabrics, trim, and design details

The Doneger Group is the global leader in creative, merchandising and business strategies for the retail, fashion and related industries. It offers analysis and direction on product and business planning, as well as reviews the marketplace in the design, development, and merchandising process. The company provides trend and color forecasting services and products, as well as offers fashion publications. It also offers consulting services, including lifestyle profiling, industry analysis, customized color and trend research, and product line development. • Provided advisory services to 50+ major domestic and international retailers; spent 60% time with clients and retailers, 40% time with manufacturers and brands • Conducted trend and business research, presented executive overviews to clients such as Nordstrom, Von Maur, Dillard's, Abercrombie, TJX, Target, JCPenney, Burlington, Warner Bros, Overstock.com, and Kohls • Managed the women’s wear market categories out of Los Angeles division, covering a key client portfolio of $2+ million • Specialized in creative direction, product development, branding, business growth, forecasting, analysis, merchandising and strategy for manufacturers and retailers • Planned and organized bi-annual presentations and fashion shows for 300+ clients in Las Vegas for MAGIC (fashion trade show, industry convention); identified key seasonal trends and selecting brands and styles for 50+ looks • Met daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly with clients to collaborate, update, and evaluate new trends, and retail structure; performed retail consulting • Recognized for client services excellence and earned 2 title promotions and 7 category promotions to increase total scope

Founded more than 25 years ago, the brand remains at the forefront of product innovation, makeup education and sophisticated, prestige beauty. Our philosophies of ‘Education is Everything’ and empowerment are the beating heart of the brand, reinforced in our stores all around the country and through our Makeup Academy. We see the individual – not the crowd – and we’re here to work with every face, no matter their age, background or lifestyle, to embrace and bring their goals and aspirations to life. • Coordinated 50+ product development projects from inception to artwork to completion, including allocations and distribution from national/global retailers • Developed 3 new product lines with Bath and Body for Target stores that resulted in exceeding projected revenues in year 1; recognized as top product line and generated sales of $4+ million • Headed all project operations for new and existing products including internal and external follow-ups on the packaging, product samples, pricing, purchase orders, artwork, and delivery deadlines • Tested and evaluated 50+ product samples and provided detailed feedback to the Product Development Team, upper management, and suppliers • Evaluated industry trends, store shopping, and competitor products for pricing comparisons, packaging, and beneficial ingredients to maintain a competitive advantage; presented mood boards and decks to creative directors and owners

Directives West provides clients with comprehensive market analysis in all apparel categories with the unique perspective and indisputable influence of West Coast fashion and lifestyle • Specialized in creative direction, product development, branding, business growth, forecasting, analysis, merchandising and strategy for manufacturers and retailers • Shopped retail bi-monthly for market research to expand upon new ideas, opportunities for improvements; made strategic suggestions for retailers regarding business development and provided full reports on store shopping experience, look, feel, experience with competitor analysis included • Met daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly with clients to collaborate, update, and evaluate new industry trends, and retail structure; performed retail consulting • Shopped retail bi-monthly for market research to expand upon new ideas, opportunities for improvements; made strategic suggestions for retailers regarding business development and provided full reports on store shopping experience, look, feel, experience with competitor analysis included • Introduced 50+ retail clients to 100s of key manufacturers to fabricate new products and retail successes while creating new strategic business opportunities and partnerships between both parties