LIZZ WASSERMAN

Global Creative Executive | Builder of Brands, Teams & Culture | Fortune 500 VP

lizzwasserman@gmail.com | Los Angeles, CA | Linkedin/lizzwasserman

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Creative leader who transforms global brands by thinking differently. Currently VP of Global Creative across Franchise at Mattel, including architecting the creative strategy behind Barbie's unprecedented movie moment. As a true creative, I have unique credibility to inspire teams and protect creative integrity while delivering business results. 20+ year track record of inspiring creative and products and moments that amplify brand presence and grow revenue, and building creative powerhouses that drive measurable impact: transformed ModCloth from 5% to 90% vertical (tripling margins), navigated Fred Segal through crisis while preserving its soul, scaled indie sustainable fashion brand to 60+ retailers. Expert at collaborating cross-functionally to craft high-impact storytelling everywhere the customer is, and am belief and proof that creative excellence and commercial success are multipliers with the right Creative team.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

MATTEL, INC. | Global Vice President of Creative, Franchise

2021–Present | Los Angeles

Lead creative vision and strategy for franchise division spanning Consumer Products, Entertainment, Publishing, and Digital Gaming. Architect of creative framework that transformed Barbie from product to cultural movement.

Creative Leadership: Built and inspire 70+ person global creative organization across four continents; created environment where creatives thrive, resulting in high team retention and breakthrough work that changed culture. Championing creative spirit, talent and encouraging adoption of Ai technology across the team.
The Barbie Phenomenon: Championed bold creative vision for consumer partnerships during film phenomenon and cultural renaissance; driving creative across 165 partnerships (including Zara, Beis, Superga, Crocs, NYX, Gap) and strategic setting up consumer products creative for post film expansion
Culture-touching partnerships: Champion and drive partnerships globally to extend brand stories and strategically build buzz (ex. Nadine Ghosn, Maje, The Frankie Shop, Wrangler, Lisa Says Gah, Stanley). Spearhead Mattel Creations consumer products collaborations with world-class artists and designers (Loewe, Marie Lichtenberg, Kartell, GCDS, Kenny Scharf, Tanaami); elevated toy company to fashion/art partner with internal championing and change management
Creative Operations: Transformed creative process in highly matrixed environment—freed teams from bureaucracy and spin while improving creative standards; reduced approval cycles and timelines: championing Creative as a true partner and an inspiring service.
Vision Keeper: Lead Art at Mattel initiative bringing creative inspiration company-wide; creative lead on Tower Redesign Project, acquired Archives division (2025) to activate what had been storage into a creative resource and storytelling asset

FRED SEGAL | Executive Vice President of Creative

2020–2021 | Los Angeles, CA

Led creative soul of iconic LA brand through existential COVID crisis. Protected 60-year creative legacy while building a path for the future.

Creative Through Crisis: Maintained brand's creative DNA while pivoting entire business model; bringing our in-person experience digital: leaned into social media to bring our community together: raising money to give back to Los Angelenos in need, launching Fred Talks interview series, and improving the storytelling and visuals of the website
Design Innovation: Launched private label bringing design in-house for first time; achieved 80% margins while elevating quality
Spatial and Digital Storytelling: Reimagined and redesigned flagship and international stores as contemporary and immersive brand experiences, not just retail. Through thought leadership and change management, brought Fred Segal from the past into the present with more relevant social storytelling and partnerships.
Creative Community: Fostered collaborations with LA creative community; positioned brand as cultural hub beyond commerce, introduced our Artist Series, with limited edition product from local, buzzy artists (Bijou Karman, Eric Junker, Jamie Muñoz), and our In LA We Trust campaign, championing the individuals who make LA so special
Brand Launch: Relaunched the iconic Camp Beverly Hills brand: oversaw the creative rebrand, apparel drop, social media strategy and in-store pop and activations: collection sold out in 1 week

MODCLOTH | Vice President of Fashion

2015–2019 | Los Angeles, CA

Protected and evolved founder's creative vision while scaling 250M brand through two acquisitions. Led Trend, Design, Photography, Styling, Visual Merchandising, Store Design.

Creative Transformation: Built in-house design capability from near-zero to 90% of product, bring creative control back to design; margins tripled while aesthetic elevated
Merchandising Clarity: Identified and clarified brand archetypes for better development and customer targeting, championed price architecture exercises and styleouts for better assortments
Team Champion: Grew and mentored creative teams from 20 to 60; created an environment where Creativity was championed, and protected. Sponsored talent across the org, and brought in new talent where needed
Inclusive Design: Pioneered size-inclusive design partnerships before it was trending; expanded creativity beyond traditional sizing
Creative Excellence: Elevated brand aesthetic on shoestring budget through creative resourcefulness; across apparel, photoshoots and store design, proving constraints can fuel innovation and gain fans

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX | Global Creative Director, Consumer Products

2014–2015 | Los Angeles, CA

Elevated entertainment properties into culture through unexpected Halo partnerships.

Orchestrated groundbreaking Hood By Air x Empire collaboration

CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION

2007–2014 | Los Angeles, CA

Built ventures and consulted at the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and commerce.

POPOMOMO (Founder): Proved sustainable fashion could be creatively ambitious AND commercially viable; 60+ retailers including Anthropologie; designed every piece, directed every shoot, oversaw the business and built creative community around the brand; GenArt Award and Ecco Domani Fashion Award Finalist
PROJECT ROOM (Co-Founder): Co-designed creative spaces and furniture for where creativity meets life; designed MOCA gallery benches, designed SQIRL restaurant as it took off.
Creative Consulting: For a variety of brands, oversaw

Creative and Brand Strategy
Brand Assessments
Concept Development for new brand extensions /new brands
Trend Forecasting and Creative Direction
Design Direction and Merchandising Strategy
Research (market research, street style, cultural research, production sourcing)
Integrated Marketing and Social Strategy
Clients included: Science, inc., Brochu Walker, The Cookie Dept., Sanctuary, Manduka

CREATIVE FOUNDATION

2002–2007 | Philadelphia & New York City

Learned fashion and the business of fashion from the ground up at Free People (Cut and Sew Knits, graphics and print design, trend and concept, launched Intimates division) and American Rag Cie (Head Designer, Knits and Sweaters)—understanding the creative process from sketch to store floor.

CREATIVE LEADERSHIP & CULTURAL IMPACT

Champion for Creativity and Sustainability

Speaker: Hallmark Creative Leadership Symposium—2024
Everything But the House Roundtable participant: Secondhand and Sustainability 2021
Featured: DWELL Magazine 2017, 2020
Speaker: Palm Springs Art Museum, Sustainability and Fashion 2013

Awards & Recognition

Inclusion in “Where I’m Coming From” at Kohler Art Museum, 2025
Clio Award, Barbie Consumer Products, 2023
Nominated for DWELL 2021 Home of the Year, Abbott Hill House
Ecco Domani Fashion Award Finalist—Recognized for design innovation 2011
GenArt New Garde Fashion—Honoring emerging creative voices 2009

Creative Community Building

Crisis Response: Organized 150+ creative community volunteers for LA fire relief, 2025
Founder: The Mother's Day Project—Creative fundraising for women's health, 2021–Present
Co-Founder: STICKHERS—Using creativity for better inclusion in children’s books, 2021-2023

EDUCATION

University of Wisconsin–Madison —BA Sociology | Phi Beta Kappa, Honors, Graduated in 3 years
TEFL Prague

CORE EXPERTISE AND SKILLS