Kim Nemser: Warby Parker Chief Merchandising Officer and Head of Product Strategy and Operations

Kim Nemser is the chief merchandising officer and head of product strategy and operations at Warby Parker. Kim studied English and French in college, and started her career in investment banking at UBS and The Blackstone Group. Soon after, she noticed she preferred reading Women's Wear Daily over the Financial Times and thought she might want to work somewhere in the intersection of business and fashion. Four years into her time in banking, she took a pay cut and pivoted to fashion, first working at Italian men’s luxury goods house Tod’s, and then at J.Crew, where she worked closely with Jenna Lyons and helped launch new categories like its iconic jewelry line. After several years and massive growth at J.Crew, Kim wanted a change and a new challenge. So she joined Warby Parker in 2016, when the brand owned only 12 stores. In the years since, she’s guided Warby Parker through product development, merchandising, planning and strategy, and everything in between. She also championed the launch of Warby Parker’s extended sizes line, and developed a multifaceted protocol that puts sustainability at the forefront of the business.