VMSD - November 2017 - 26

TOP WOMEN
IN RETAIL DESIGN
2017

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
STORE DESIGN,
ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION
NORDSTROM

Dawn leads the development of store
experiences at Nordstrom through design,
planning, architecture, construction and
visual merchandising. She also manages
the internal and external design, visual
merchandising and construction teams.
As an architect and creative leader, she
has spent the past 20 years applying her
knowledge of global brands, retail strategy and design to architectural projects
around the world for a range of brands,
including Nordstrom, Harrods, Seibu,
Sogo, Harvey Nichols and Starbucks.
Recognized as a collaborative leader
and creative force in the retail design
community, she was nominated in part
thanks to her willingness to share with her
coworkers, her creativity and her ability

to preconceive multiple projects. "Dawn
has a deep understanding of the customer
experience, a passion for retail design and
the innate ability to creatively support the
Nordstrom brand," her nominator wrote.

C OUR TE SY OF NOR DSTR OM

Dawn Clark

What do you like most about your
job?

"My team and I are tasked with bringing
creative possibilities to life while adapting
to the unique constraints of each project
- it's a great challenge. Our ultimate goal
is to inspire and energize our customers
with the environments we create, which is
something that makes each day exciting."
How can organizations empower
future generations of women in the
workplace?

"For future generations of women to contribute and succeed, organizations must
create a culture that listens to, respects,
rewards and empowers women to expand
their leadership capacity."

Linda Lombardi

HEAD OF GLOBAL STORE DESIGN &
GLOBAL VISUAL MERCHANDISING
GODIVA CHOCOLATIER, NEW YORK

26

NOVEMBER 2017

|

VMSD.COM

She has also served on PAVE's (The
Planning and Visual Education Partnership) board of directors and co-chaired the
organization's annual benefit gala in 2016.
She's also taken the time to speak to young
designers at New York's Fashion Institute
of Technology (FIT) and LIM College.
What accomplishment are you most
proud of?

"I'm most proud of the impact I've had on
people with whom I've had the pleasure
of working. It's an incredible feeling when

you see members of your team move on
to do amazing work. It's very rewarding to
hear that you personally have made a difference in their careers."
What continues to excite and motivate you?

"Retail changes every day, and that's a good
thing for people in the 'change business,'
like designers. It's key that you stay current
with retail, as well as hospitality, technology, travel, food, cultures and communities. It's very important to listen to people."

C OUR TE SY OF G ODI VA

Linda has spent the past 25 years working
with world-class brands like Godiva, Liz
Claiborne and Saks Fifth Avenue, among
others. During her tenure at Godiva, the
brand has expanded its retail presence
into key international markets in the Middle East and Asia, along with a boutique
and full-service café in London's Harrods
department store.
Linda is described by her peers as a
passionate, brilliant leader. "She believes in
her team and is behind them 100 percent,
no matter what. She's also a great teacher
with passion and drive, which is hard not
to emulate," explained her nominator. "She
takes people under her wing that aren't
even in her department to show them how
a strong woman can win in this industry."
http://www.VMSD.COM
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of VMSD - November 2017
