Jennifer Finn came to Marist in 2008 with 15 years of industry retail career experience as a regional manager of the in-store marketing team, area sales manager, merchandise manager, and small business owner; having worked with companies as Filene’s Department Stores, Bloomingdale’s, and Liz Claiborne. Her strong background in retail merchandising business strategies brings real- work experience to the classroom. Finn was one of the pioneer educators who provided opportunities to expand on student’s high impact practices by developing experiential courses such as Retail Entrepreneurship, or MPorium at Marist. She also teaches courses in Retailing Principles and Practices, Merchandise Planning and Control, Fashion Excel Spreadsheets, and Senior Merchandise Capstone. As an inclusive leader, she draws on her broad range of experiences in the retail landscape to bring educational innovation in multiple disciplines.

Outside of the classroom, Finn serves as the Chair of the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program. In addition, she also serves as the faculty advisor for clubs on campus such as the National Retail Federation Student Association at Marist, Fashion Inc., and the Runway of Dreams Adaptive Fashion Foundation at Marist.

Finn holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, and an Associates of Applied Science degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Employment History

1995-2000: Filene's Department Stores

• positions held include various store-line management roles
• awarded Area Sales Manager of the year: 1998

2000-2005: Liz Claiborne, Inc.

• employed with the in-store marketing team in NYC
• positions held include: lead merchandise coordinator and Northeast Regional Manager

2005-2010: Owner Madina Park Boutique

• owned and operated a women's contemporary clothing boutique in Wappinger’s Falls, NY