FTG 0012 - Managing Macy's in Manhattan with Retail Executive Kathy Hilt '90

Guest Bio:

Kathy Hilt ‘90 Bus is a Division Vice President for Macy’s Inc. In New York, New York. She leads multiple locations in the NYC area including the Herald Square Flagship. She has held successively senior leadership roles at Macy’s since 2005, and prior to that the May Department Stores Company since graduation. She earned a BS in marketing with honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business in 1990.

Episode Specifics:

In this special bite-sized Thanksgiving week episode, just in time for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, you’ll get insight into:

· Choosing a major that’s the right fit

· Adjusting to University Park from a small town

· The value of joining a Greek letter organization as a Scholar

· The value beyond the degree itself and moving from entry level to leader

· Skills that can be gained from working in and running a retail operation

· The value of failing fast, being innovative, and reflecting on that failure

· How to assemble, motivate, and lead large teams

· The changing retail landscape

· Getting into retail from a variety of majors - and not just the most obvious ones

· Transferring retail skills and experiences to other industries

· Collaboration and strategic planning

· Finding balance in a 24/7 world

· The importance of building a professional network while in college and seeking mentors and guides

Editor’s Note: Kathy recorded from her office in New York City, and you’ll hear emergency response vehicle sirens in the background of Kathy’s insight during the early part of the episode.

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.