A Talent for Leadership
Jennifer Lam ’95MBA’s career is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of education.
After moving to New York, she began a demanding “juggling act” of working full-time while attending evening and summer classes at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University. Enrolling in 2002, she earned her M.B.A. in 2004—a credential she credits with opening doors and serving as a consistent point of pride in her professional journey.
Jennifer encourages students to “take advantage of all there is to do and make the most of it”—a philosophy she clearly integrates into her life.
- Executive Management
- The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
While balancing work and school, Ms. Lam found community and inspiration at St. John’s. A standout memory includes winning a negotiation game in her international law class—an experience that not only sparked laughter, but also sharpened her negotiation and diplomacy skills she still uses today.
Her career began in a pilot Manager-in-Training program when Old Navy first opened its doors in the late 1990s. After a self-initiated transfer from California to New York, she continued her retail career at the Great American Department Store: Macy’s Herald Square.
While leading efforts to upskill employees and enhance product knowledge at Macy’s, her exposure to the Human Resources (HR) department led to her transition into a new career trajectory. This transition marked the beginning of a distinguished career in talent acquisition and HR leadership.
Ms. Lam went on to hold key roles at Banana Republic, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdales.com, where she helped build a new e-commerce business from the ground up. Her ability to identify and develop best-in-class talent earned her the “Best of the Best” award at Bloomingdale’s in 2015.
Her journey continued through the dynamic environments of Meetup WeWork and Madison Square Garden, where she honed her agility and strategic thinking. These experiences prepared her for the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which she served as the sole corporate recruiter at Tory Burch. There she led hiring across multiple functions, including product design, supply chain, and digital technology.
Today, as Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Tory Burch, Ms. Lam oversees recruitment for five major business categories. Her leadership is grounded in the values she embraced at St. John’s: perseverance, purpose, and presence. She encourages students to “take advantage of all thereis to do and make the most of it”—a philosophy she clearly integrates into her life.
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