Kara Cutino

Senior Vice President, Store Development & Facilities Services

Professional Overview
Kara Cutino is a seasoned retail executive with over 30 years of experience in store development, facilities management, and construction. As the Senior Vice President of Store Development & Facilities Services at J.Crew, she oversees the strategic planning, design, and execution of the company's physical retail footprint, ensuring exceptional customer experiences across the brand's global locations.

Experience Summary

Current Role
In her current role at J.Crew, Kara is responsible for leading the company's store development and facilities services functions. She oversees a team of experts in store design, construction, project management, and facilities maintenance, driving initiatives that optimize the retailer's physical presence and support its long-term growth strategy. Under her leadership, J.Crew has executed a successful store fleet optimization program, opening new concept stores and modernizing existing locations to better align with evolving consumer preferences.

Career Progression
Prior to joining J.Crew, Kara held various leadership positions at ascena, where she most recently served as the Vice President of Store Development, Facilities Services, Asset Protection, and Store Purchasing. In this role, she spearheaded the integration of the company's multi-brand portfolio, streamlining operations and driving efficiencies across the organization. Earlier in her career, Kara held progressive roles at ANN INC. (Ann Taylor, LOFT, Lou & Grey), where she played a pivotal part in the expansion and renovation of the company's retail footprint, and at Sears Holdings Corporation, where she managed construction projects and coordinated facility operations.

Academic Background
Kara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she graduated with honors.

Areas of Expertise

• Retail store development and facility management

• Strategic planning and execution of physical retail footprint

• Integrated facilities services, including design, construction, and operations

• Project management and cross-functional team leadership

• Cost optimization and operational efficiency initiatives

• Retail real estate portfolio management

Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Kara has demonstrated a track record of delivering impactful results for her employers. Her contributions have included driving the successful integration of facilities services and store development functions, leading the implementation of innovative store concepts, and overseeing the execution of complex capital projects that have enhanced the customer experience and improved operational performance.

Conclusion
With her deep industry expertise, strategic vision, and proven track record of success, Kara Cutino is a valuable asset to J.Crew as the company continues to evolve its physical retail presence and deliver exceptional experiences for its customers. Her leadership and collaborative approach have positioned her as a respected voice in the retail industry.