Persistence, Purpose, and Payoff: St. John’s Alumna’s Rise in Finance and Fashion

Ms. Stevenson participated in the Executive-in-Residence (now, the Tobin Strategic Consulting) program, a unique feature of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business that provides students the opportunity to engage in real-world business consulting with actual business and nonprofit organizations. “I still remember one case study involving Diesel® jeans,” she said. “My excitement around that discussion sparked a deeper curiosity about the consumer and fashion industries.”

Ms. Stevenson secured an internship during her junior year with J.P.Morgan through an organization called Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, which closes educational and career opportunity gaps for 7,000+ ambitious young people annually.

After launching her career at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Ms. Stevenson left the “Big Four” and worked in various finance roles before pivoting to fashion, landing a plum position as Director of Finance at Dolce & Gabbana USA. “Recruiters did not want to present the Dolce & Gabbana position to me, but I just kept hounding them until they got sick of me,” she recalled. “I told them, ‘You won’t regret it. I’m going to do the best I can to get the role.’ And I did.”

While persistence paid off, it also required a willingness to compromise. Breaking into a highly competitive industry meant accepting short-term sacrifices in exchange for long-term opportunities. “When I went in, it was for less pay than I had been making in media,” she said. “Later in my career, I was willing to take a little bit of a step back to leap forward. In fashion, you have to do that because there are so many people who want to be in the fashion industry.”

Ms. Stevenson’s career in that industry included roles at some of the world’s most celebrated brands, including Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, and Tourneau. “My career has been a combination of good luck and hard work,” she said. “I’ve been blessed and lucky to get the opportunities I have, but I’ve also worked really hard once I’ve gotten them. It’s in my DNA.”  Landing her first CFO position at Versace, at the age of 35, is proof of that hard work.  

She explained, “My great-great-great-grandfather was 12 when he was emancipated from slavery, and he went on to become a successful businessman. With that success, he started a school for young Black children and founded a church for the community. It’s been instilled in me to work hard.”

In 2020, she became a partner at FLG Partners, LLC, which provides interim, fractional, project-based, and permanent Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leadership. Through FLG, she has served as Interim CFO for TOMS Shoes, Thirdlove, and Creed Fragrances.

“Not having representation in places of influence that looked like me, whether female or minority, just made me want to be there even more,” she said, explaining her involvement in organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.  

A member of CHIEF and The WIE Suite, which focus on support and mentorship for women in leadership positions, she has also served on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board of the CFO Leadership Council.  

Among her proudest accomplishments is mentoring and sponsoring women and minority professionals in finance, helping create pathways for the next generation of diverse finance leaders. “I’ve had great mentors,” she said. “When I show up at work, I recognize I show up as a woman and as a minority. I know that people helped me along the way—so it’s my duty to do the same for others.” 

Now a staple in the fashion industry herself, Ms. Stevenson is happy with those earlier sacrifices that have enabled a storied career. She encourages everyone to follow their instincts, be persistent, work hard, and most of all, find enjoyment in what you do.