Experience

The Phluid Project

• United States
• Retail Apparel and Fashion
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CEO & Founder

  • Jan 2018 - Present

  The Phluid Project has immersed ourselves into the world and realities of Generation Z. Recognizing the rising voice of youth and their rejection of binaries, Phluid is committed to redefining gender labels and creating a hub, virtually and physically, where strangers, allies, friends—people—can unapologetically be themselves. We have created a bond based on commitment and trust with the community by hosting over 250 events, panels and fundraisers. We have become an authority of… Show more The Phluid Project has immersed ourselves into the world and realities of Generation Z. Recognizing the rising voice of youth and their rejection of binaries, Phluid is committed to redefining gender labels and creating a hub, virtually and physically, where strangers, allies, friends—people—can unapologetically be themselves. We have created a bond based on commitment and trust with the community by hosting over 250 events, panels and fundraisers. We have become an authority of Gen Z, specifically with transgender & non-binary young adults. RETAIL • Opening our doors in March of 2018, we launched as the first gender-free store. We have created partnerships and pop ups across the nation with Euphoria and The LWord. We hosted Stonewall 50 x World Pride in 2019. Today we have the only non-binary multi branded website. We sell our own proprietary products around the world including apparel, accessories and fragrances in over 8000 retail outlets across the country including Nordstrom, Macys, Urban Outfitters, Target and more. SPEAKING • I have spoken at conferences around the world, educating leaders about this emerging group of gender expansive youth. Speaking at dozens of conferences including The NRF Big Show in NYC, The World Retail Summit in Dubai, WWD Inclusion Conference in NYC and the Future of Retail in São Paulo. CONSULTING • We are able to help support brands and companies as they enter this space with trust and authenticity. We are entering a moment in time where language matters and representation matters. Customers are looking for brands that have a legitimate reason to be in this space and show up with integrity and transparency Show less



G.E.T Phluid

• United States
• Education Administration Programs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• CEO & Founder

  • Jan 2018 - Present

  New York City Metropolitan Area GET Phluid is a comprehensive diversity and inclusion training program curated to provide your company, or organization, with the skills to spearhead inclusion initiatives and create affirming spaces in the workplace for the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals. ​ We train and educate employees, ensuring that safe and valued employment at work starts with policies that respect their role in the workplace. Our team of trainers… Show more GET Phluid is a comprehensive diversity and inclusion training program curated to provide your company, or organization, with the skills to spearhead inclusion initiatives and create affirming spaces in the workplace for the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming individuals. ​ We train and educate employees, ensuring that safe and valued employment at work starts with policies that respect their role in the workplace. Our team of trainers educate, train, and inspire, leveraging their own transgender and gender non-conforming experiences. Show less



The Phluid Phoundation

• CEO and Founder

  • Apr 2021 - Present

  The Phluid Phoundation strives for positive social change through advocacy, community, and cultural awareness. We support community based mutual aid initiatives to organizations and individuals where a donation of any size makes a BIG impact. From non-profits to GoFundMe accounts, we ensure 100% of your donation goes directly to those in need. OUR TARGET Our focus is on the most underrepresented, vulnerable and marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We channel our energy and… Show more The Phluid Phoundation strives for positive social change through advocacy, community, and cultural awareness. We support community based mutual aid initiatives to organizations and individuals where a donation of any size makes a BIG impact. From non-profits to GoFundMe accounts, we ensure 100% of your donation goes directly to those in need. OUR TARGET Our focus is on the most underrepresented, vulnerable and marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We channel our energy and resources primarily toward the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) transgender community, with an emphasis on trans women of color, as well as the growing homeless LGBTQIA+ population. WHY IT MATTERS The life expectancy of a trans woman of color is 35 years old in the US. 10% of the transgender community was physically attacked in the past year just for being transgender. Nearly 50% of the trans community has experienced physical violence in their lifetime. LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their peers. 45% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+. WHO WE SUPPORT The Marsha P Johnson Institute Homeless Black Trans Women Fund No Justice, No Pride BTFA Collective For the Gworls Indya Moore Covid-19 Relief Fund The Ali Forney Center The Hetrick-Martin Institute Sylvia Rivera Law Project Show less



Steve Madden

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• Member Board of Directors

  • 2015 - Present

  Greater New York City Area Invited to join the Board to bring a unique perspective as a seasoned Retailer. • Created and currently Chair Director of the CSR / ESG committee • Since joining, value added by being a hands-on Board Member, actively working with the Merchant and Sales Teams helping to negotiate and leverage my relationships and utilizing merchandising skills to help coach the teams. • Member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees. Actively recruited and onboarded diverse and… Show more Invited to join the Board to bring a unique perspective as a seasoned Retailer. • Created and currently Chair Director of the CSR / ESG committee • Since joining, value added by being a hands-on Board Member, actively working with the Merchant and Sales Teams helping to negotiate and leverage my relationships and utilizing merchandising skills to help coach the teams. • Member of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees. Actively recruited and onboarded diverse and qualified board directors. Show less


Wunderkind (Formerly BounceX)
• EIR

  • Jul 2021 - Present


The Fashioneering Lab

• Retail Apparel and Fashion
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive In Residence

  • Mar 2022 - Present

  New York, United States



Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Member

  • Sep 2022 - Present

  United States


TITANIUM Worldwide
• United States
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee
• General Member Board

  • Mar 2021 - Present


www.robertgarrettsmith.com

• Educator/Speaker/ Diversity Coach

  • 2016 - Present

  Greater New York City Area One of the greatest opportunities The Phluid Project has granted me is the ability to understand our newest generation, Gen Z. Having spent time with this community, hosting over 200 events and interacting daily, in an effort to deeply understand how we can best serve this generation, specifically transgender and non-binary young adults. This group, 25% of our population, is set to become 40% of the buying power this coming year. Gen Z is also the newest generation to enter the… Show more One of the greatest opportunities The Phluid Project has granted me is the ability to understand our newest generation, Gen Z. Having spent time with this community, hosting over 200 events and interacting daily, in an effort to deeply understand how we can best serve this generation, specifically transgender and non-binary young adults. This group, 25% of our population, is set to become 40% of the buying power this coming year. Gen Z is also the newest generation to enter the workforce and they are unlike any generation we’ve met before, demanding we rethink and address our traditional and dated constructs. Responsible leaders and corporations alike must be at the forefront of the market’s demand for cultural change while employing effective and energetic recruitment and retention efforts. The gender-expansive, transgender, and non-binary communities have seen significant legal and legislative victories in recent years. New York and California are leading the way with some of the nation’s strongest protections including the creation of nonbinary gender markers. Corporate diversity and inclusion efforts have made great strides, yet these individuals remain grossly underemployed and at high risk of discrimination in the workplace. Through The Phluid Project’s Certification process, your company will receive an inspiring education, as well as a set of tools, to move forward and embrace true affirmation of all individuals' gender identities and gender expressions. The Phluid Project team of educators and trainers will help your company ensure that you are compliant with nondiscrimination expectations as well as help you to increase gender expansive practices. https://thephluidproject.com/pages/g-e-t-phluid CONSULTING COMPANIES INCLUDED NIKE Steve Madden P & G Accenture Mattel Viacom AND More (current NDA’s) SPEAKING WWD Culture Summit (11/19) AdAge Decoded YMS NRF (NYC 1/19) Retail Summit (Dubai 2/19) The Future of Retail (Brazil 5/19) TEDX Show less



Haddad Brands - Nike, Levi's, Jordan, Hurley, Converse

• Global Chief Product Officer

  • Oct 2012 - Mar 2017

  Greater New York City Area Recruited, originally, as Chief Merchant Officer, to oversee all aspects of product creation and branding. Promoted into role of Global Chief Product Officer, which enabled me to build out a stronger Team, with strategic oversight of daily operations of Design, Branding, Sourcing and Marketing. Lead a team of 100, including 4 VPs and 20 managers. • Identified the need for and created discipline and structure which included building an HR Team, succession planning, analytics, executive… Show more Recruited, originally, as Chief Merchant Officer, to oversee all aspects of product creation and branding. Promoted into role of Global Chief Product Officer, which enabled me to build out a stronger Team, with strategic oversight of daily operations of Design, Branding, Sourcing and Marketing. Lead a team of 100, including 4 VPs and 20 managers. • Identified the need for and created discipline and structure which included building an HR Team, succession planning, analytics, executive development and brand management. • Through Licensing, vertical Retail growth and improved brand relationships, took the company from product in two countries to 120 countries, growing from $500 MM in wholesale to $1.2 Billion. • Worked to align the company with Levi’s and Nike’s demand of discipline around supply chain management, focusing on the human element. • Active member of the Executive Committee and established new internal cross-functional relations and helped to build an internal infrastructure to position the company for continued growth. Built a process and structure that has been adopted by the entire company. Show less



Victoria's Secret

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• EVP General Merchandising Manager (GMM) Apparel, Shoes, Accessories

  • 2010 - 2012

  Greater New York City Area and Columbus, OH Directed a $600 million apparel, shoe and accessory business for catalog and online distribution. Managed content for 65 catalogs yearly and the industry’s #1 ranked website. • Learned how to build a vertical brand and Ecommerce and oversee Design and product creation. • Collaborated with Design on product direction and dynamic marketing tools. Managed a team of 50 including 5 VPs in Merchandising, Design, and Operations. • Also facilitated strong working relationships with… Show more Directed a $600 million apparel, shoe and accessory business for catalog and online distribution. Managed content for 65 catalogs yearly and the industry’s #1 ranked website. • Learned how to build a vertical brand and Ecommerce and oversee Design and product creation. • Collaborated with Design on product direction and dynamic marketing tools. Managed a team of 50 including 5 VPs in Merchandising, Design, and Operations. • Also facilitated strong working relationships with Merchandising, Design, Planning, Production, Creative, Internet and Marketing. Traveled to Europe six times a year for product inspiration, and to Asia to oversee production. Show less



Macy's

• 1 - 100 Employee

• EVP General Merchandising Manager (GMM) Juniors, Kids, Intimate, Misses, Cosmetics, Fragrances

  • 1987 - 2010

  Greater New York City Area Recruited into a DMM role and promoted twice, growing leadership abilities and vision that drove profitable sales. A maverick in a traditional company, I helped encourage colleagues to think differently. • Led a team of 6 VPs and 75 executives, successfully merging four operating divisions into one division, while delivering sales and profit growth. Consistently executed more than 6 mergers of Macy’s divisions into one successful Macy’s. • Known as an unconventional thinker and disrupter… Show more Recruited into a DMM role and promoted twice, growing leadership abilities and vision that drove profitable sales. A maverick in a traditional company, I helped encourage colleagues to think differently. • Led a team of 6 VPs and 75 executives, successfully merging four operating divisions into one division, while delivering sales and profit growth. Consistently executed more than 6 mergers of Macy’s divisions into one successful Macy’s. • Known as an unconventional thinker and disrupter in a traditional, conventional retail environment. Consistently achieved sales goals and exceeded gross margin expectations year over year. • Creation and implementation of employee resource groups such as Women of Color, LGBTQ+ and Latinx among other. The successful implementation of this program made us a stronger company for our employees and understanding our diverse clientele. I am deeply grateful to have been the senior executive to be selected to work with the Women of Color ERG. • Spearheaded the Macy’s Star Council, focused on improving the culture, morale, and workplace diversity. Show less