Advisory Council

ADVISORY COUNCIL

The Advisory Council for the Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware is composed of seasoned professionals representing a wide range of sectors within the fashion industry. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in areas such as business development, product innovation, brand marketing, merchandising and manufacturing operations. Their collective insights provide invaluable guidance to the department, helping to shape its long-term goals, academic programs, and industry collaborations. By offering strategic advice, they ensure the department stays at the forefront of fashion education and aligns with the evolving needs of the global fashion market.

Julianne Applegate '96

BSAS | Apparel Design
Business Development, SEDDI Inc.
 

Archana Archana

MS | Fashion and Apparel Studies
Senior Director of Global Compliance and Social Impact, Delta Galil Industries
 

Joan Bernard


Director, Barbizon Modeling & Talent Agency
 

Rita Chang

BSAS | Dean's Scholar Major: Social Responsibility & Environmental Sustainability in the Apparel & Footwear Industry
Founding CMO, fashion wearable startup; Co-Founder, decentralized AI stealth startup
 

Ruthie Davis


President, Founder and Designer, Ruthie Davis
 

Megan Dawson-Elli '16

BS | Fashion Merchandising
Senior Manager, Product Sustainability & Circularity at Tapestry, Inc.
 

Roger Frank '78

BFAAS | Photography & Art Education
Executive Vice President, AlgiSys, LLC
 

Glen Funk '92

BSAS | Fashion Merchandising
VP of Customer Success, StycheCo Inc.
 

Edward A. Gribbin


CEO, Gribbin Strategic LLC
 

Nate Herman '92

BA | International Relations and Economics
Executive Vice President, American Apparel and Footwear Association
 

Rick Horwitch


Chief of Supply Chain & Sustainability Strategy, Bureau Veritas – Consumer Products Services
 

Kate Kenny


Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing and Creative Content, Lilly Pulitzer
 

Sarah McMullin

BSAS | Apparel Design
Senior Vice President, Owned Brands Product Operations, Target
 

Marielle Newman '07

BSAS Honors | Fashion Merchandising
Director, Color + Print – Innovation, Under Armour
 

Caroline Palmer


Advisor and Mentor, XRC Ventures / Author
 

Kevin Parker


Co-Founder and Producer, Philly Fashion Week / Owner, FBH The Agency
 

Christina Rapa


Textile Engineer, W.L. Gore & Associates
 

Colleen Waters

BS | Fashion Merchandising
VP of E-Commerce, Steve Madden
 

Paula Zusi '82

BAAS | Communication
Operating Advisor – Retail Supply Chain, Advent International / Independent Board Director, Olaplex Inc.