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One special attribute has helped Susan Itzkowitz<\/a> navigate almost any tough situation: her sense of humor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something I\u2019ve always relied on to keep me sane,\u201d she told FN last month. \u201cWhen you can inject some kind of humor, then you can stop and say, OK, this is not the crisis that\u2019s going to take us down forever. This is a temporary situation.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And her career path certainly wasn\u2019t an obvious one. Born and raised in Bayside, Queens, N.Y., in what Itzkowitz described as a \u201cvery traditional household,\u201d she wasn\u2019t exposed to many examples of career women. While her father was a salesman in the Garment District, her mother stayed home. However, she did impart many important lessons to her daughter: \u201cMy mother instilled in me a great sense of integrity, of work ethic and compassion,\u201d said Itzkowitz. \u201cShe was the one who taught me about caring for others outside of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As a young woman, Itzkowitz was determined to succeed in her own right, studying communications at Cornell University. There, she said, she learned about herself and the power of collaboration, particularly through her extra-curriculars, including helping at a homeless shelter, a suicide hotline and a student counseling program. \u201cI got to know myself through that,\u201d she said. \u201cI understood I had to take responsibility for my own life and figure out who I was, what I wanted to do and how I was going to get there,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Post-college, Itzkowitz entered the executive training program at JCPenney, which at the time was a heavily male-dominated organization. \u201cI found it to be very challenging in many ways,\u201d Itzkowitz recalled. \u201cBut when we\u2019re young, we have to learn and then we move on.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n From there, she went on to positions at The May Co. and Federated Department Stores \u2014 and eventually made a fateful move to Nine West in 1986.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Though the gender gap at Nine West was still stark (Itzkowitz was the company\u2019s first female executive hire), she spent nearly 20 years at the footwear company, describing it as an \u201cincredible experience,\u201d working alongside company leaders like Jack Fisher, Vince Camuto and Wayne Weaver. And it was there she met Marc Fisher, who would later become her business partner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, being a trailblazer meant there was no roadmap. \u201cIt was a time where many people of my generation had a lot of firsts and we had to figure out how to navigate the situation and learn,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fueled by frustrations in her own career, Itzkowitz took steps to improve the situation for the next generation, particularly through the Two Ten Footwear Foundation. \u201cShe\u2019s been a changemaker throughout her tenure on Two Ten\u2019s board of directors, championing our programs to advance women in the industry,\u201d said Two Ten president and CEO Shawn Osborne.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n After Nine West was sold to Jones Apparel Group Inc., Itzkowitz and Fisher started Marc Fisher Footwear in 2005 with a different business model in mind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThe idea was it was going to be about product, people and passion, and it was not going to be run like a corporation,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was going to be run like an interactive company where people were empowered. We were going to be something different; we were going to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The firm launched with the Guess license and has since built an enviable portfolio. Aside from Guess, it produces shoes for PVH Corp.\u2019s Calvin Klein<\/a> and Tommy Hilfiger labels. Its in-house lines include Marc Fisher LTD, Marc Fisher and Easy Spirit. And it is a go-to partner for Authentic Brands Group\u2019s Rockport, Nine West, Hunter<\/a> and Frye labels, plus many others.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n That success is based on the strong partnership between its leaders. \u201cI am the luckiest guy in the world to have had Susan as my partner in building Marc Fisher Footwear over the past 20 years,\u201d said Fisher. \u201cSusan leads with unwavering integrity, a steady hand and an unmatched ability to inspire, connect and elevate her teams.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Their licensing partners are equally laudatory.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger said, \u201cSusan Itzkowitz is a true industry legend \u2014 a well-respected, seasoned pro whose dedication and expertise have elevated the footwear industry and inspired countless in the business. I’ve had the privilege of working with Susan throughout my career, and her unique blend of vision and integrity is unmatched.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Added Carlos Alberini, CEO of Guess Inc., \u201cI\u2019ve witnessed firsthand how [Susan\u2019s] insight, drive and commitment continually push boundaries and inspire those around her. She possesses a rare blend of strategic foresight and style that has shaped a culture of excellence and loyalty.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In looking to the future, Itzkowitz sees no limits for the company. \u201cWe have a huge opportunity based on our product ability, our sourcing capability, our logistics ability \u2014 all those things that are really hard,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As for her own achievements, the exec is quick to credit others. \u201cI don\u2019t think my journey would be possible without the support of all the people I work with \u2014 my colleagues, my partners. Nobody does anything alone. It\u2019s a group effort,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n And while her list of accomplishments is lengthy \u2014\u00a0outside of Marc Fisher Footwear, she also sits on the boards of Two Ten, Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America, the Shoes for a Cure breast cancer fundraiser and other charitable organizations \u2014 she is most proud of her son and daughter, as well as her two grandchildren. \u201cI learned early on to put things in perspective,\u201d said Itzkowitz. \u201cThere’s life and there’s work \u2014 and it\u2019s great when you can bring it together and you have friends from work \u2014 but we all know what’s really important.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here, more colleagues and partners discuss the experience of working with Itzkowitz:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nata Dvir <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jay Schmidt<\/strong> <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nick Woodhouse <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tacey Powers <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jennifer Jones <\/p>\n <\/p>\n For 38\u00a0years, the annual FN Achievement Awards \u2014 often called the \u201cShoe Oscars\u201d \u2014 have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024\u00a0event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The president of Marc Fisher Footwear will be recognized at the FN Achievement Awards.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74637662,"featured_media":1234736594,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"authors":[],"contributors":[],"styled_by":[],"_image_credit":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","pmc_selected_wwd_video_media":"","pmc_top_video_source":"","pmc_top_video_duration":"","wwd_top_video_source":"","wwd_top_video_duration":"","pmc_selected_featured_media":"","pmc_selected_video_media":"","pmc_selected_variety_video_media":"","variety_top_video_source":"","variety_top_video_duration":"","pmc_featured_media_has_alt_text":true,"_pmc_featured_animated_media_id":0,"_pmc_featured_video_override_data":"","_pmc_featured_video_override_url":"","pmc-gallery-linked-gallery":{},"pmc_list_item_description":"","primary_category":"","primary_vertical":"","_mt_pmc_exclude_from_seo":"","pmc-gallery":[],"categories":179,"subcategories":378251816,"mt_seo_title":"Susan Itzkowitz to Join Hall of Fame at FNAA 2024","mt_seo_description":"Susan Itzkowitz, ","mt_pmc_exclude_from_seo":"off","_pmc_canonical_override":"","instant_articles_should_submit_post":false,"_sailthru_selected_alerts":[],"_sailthru_send_override":false,"_sailthru_alert_subject":"","_sailthru_breaking_news_meta_data":[],"experimental_features_inline_styles":"","linked_video_id":"","pmc_hubs_hide_header":false,"override_post_title":"","override_post_excerpt":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2024-12-03T15:00:25Z","apple_news_api_id":"6e0d916c-776a-4b57-a2d4-f578c80747fe","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2024-12-03T15:00:25Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/Abg2RbHdqS1ei1PV4yAdH_g","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"[]","_pmc_automated_related_links":{"settings":{"module_name":"Related","hide_box":0},"data":[{"url":"","id":"","title":"","automated":true},{"url":"","id":"","title":"","automated":true},{"url":"","id":"","title":"","automated":true}]},"overlay_text_placement":[],"overlay_text_one":[],"overlay_text_two":[],"kicker_meta_block_field":[],"_pmc_kicker":[],"pmc_multiple_products_title":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[179,378251816],"tags":[376358185,375981543,378235454],"post_format":[],"_post-options":[],"pmc_ads_suppression":[],"editorial":[],"ep_custom_result":[],"coauthors":[308282659],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"How FNAA 2024 Hall of Fame Honoree Susan Itzkowitz Blazed a Trail for Female Leaders","url":"http:\/\/footwearnews.com\/business\/business-news\/susan-itzkowitz-hall-of-fame-fnaa-2024-1234736588\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/footwearnews.com\/business\/business-news\/susan-itzkowitz-hall-of-fame-fnaa-2024-1234736588\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/footwearnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/susan-itzkowitz-marc-fisher.jpg?w=150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/footwearnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/susan-itzkowitz-marc-fisher.jpg"},"articleSection":"Business News","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jennie Bell"}],"creator":["Jennie Bell"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Footwear News","logo":"https:\/\/footwearnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/cropped-fn_favicon2.png"},"keywords":["fnaa","marc fisher footwear","susan itzkowitz","business","business news"],"dateCreated":"2024-12-03T15:00:00Z","datePublished":"2024-12-03T15:00:00Z","dateModified":"2024-12-03T15:00:00Z","pmc-gallery-linked-gallery":{}},"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/footwearnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/02\/on-the-marc013.jpg?w=724\")
![\"Marc](\"https:\/\/footwearnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Susan-and-family-at-Two-Ten-Gala.jpg?w=1024\")
Chief Merchandising Officer, Macy\u2019s<\/strong>
\u201cSusan Itzkowitz is an incredible partner to Macy\u2019s. She understands how to build strategy and make
an impact. Her transparency, drive to win and collaborative spirit make her an absolute pleasure
to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n
President & CEO, Caleres<\/strong>
\u201c[Susan] has set a high standard through her unwavering commitment, business acumen and hard work, building an impressive business alongside Marc. But beyond these accomplishments, it\u2019s Susan\u2019s inspiring optimism \u2014 the belief that anything is possible \u2014 that truly stands out.\u201d<\/p>\n
President & Chief Brand Officer, Authentic Brands Group<\/strong>
\u201cSusan is a true powerhouse in the industry. Her passion, vision and relentless dedication have driven incredible success at Marc Fisher Footwear. Susan\u2019s ability to build impactful partnerships, transform brands and uphold core values of passion and integrity is nothing short of inspiring.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
EVP & GMM of Shoes, Nordstrom<\/strong>
\u201cSusan has always been a true partner to me. We can have transparent conversations, ask for advice from each other and build successful businesses together. I admire her tireless work to give back to the shoe industry.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
SVP & GMM of Women\u2019s Accessories, Bloomingdale\u2019s<\/strong>
\u201cIn my nearly 10 years of working with Susan, she\u2019s consistently brought strong ideas, great taste and a genuine interest in her partners. She\u2019s honest, passionate and always fosters a collaborative and successful partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n
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