Holly Cohen

Holly is an accomplished Global Direct to Consumer Real Estate Executive & Board member. Originally from NY, she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology & began her career in Operations at Gap Inc. before moving into DTC Retail Real Estate where she set the strategies for store expansion, portfolio optimization & launched new concepts for Gap, GapKids, Banana Republic & Old Navy. Holly went on to become SVP at J. Crew, where she helped launch Madewell & took J. Crew to Canada & overseas.  From there, she become SVP of Global Real Estate & Store Construction at Claire’s, Inc., & then Head of Global DTC Real Estate, Store Construction & Real Estate Operations for Nike, Inc. for all Nike concepts, Converse & Hurley.

In 2018 after a highly successful & rewarding career in-house, Holly launched Holly Cohen Retail Advisory Services.  She is a trusted domestic & international advisor to brands at all levels of growth in need of strategic expertise. This includes online start-ups seeking their first brick & mortar locations, young brands aiming to scale & expand, & legacy brands wanting to evaluate their DTC portfolio.

Holly served two terms on the ICSC Board of Trustees & continues to give back as a Past Trustee. She joined CREW in 2018 and now serves as President for 2024. Holly is an active mentor to ICSC, CREW Miami, Women of Tomorrow & University of Miami.  She’s frequently sought out as a moderator, panelist & judge for industry events.