Gap Inc.
September 6, 2017
More than the clothes we create, Gap Inc. is defined by its people. Meet some of the talented people who make Gap Inc. great. #WeAreGapInc
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR GAP INC.?
Susanne: I manage production activities related to Athleta’s email marketing programs and support volunteering at our headquarter office.
Maureen: I manage Athleta’s customer experience in stores, loyalty programs, volunteerism and am a brand lead for sustainability.
HOW DO YOU PARTNER TO DRIVE VOLUNTEER RESULTS FOR THE BRAND?
S: We are Community Leaders and represent Athleta on Gap Foundation’s Employee Engagement Committee. I love spreading the word about volunteering and helping coworkers get set up to take advantage of the employee programs.
M: Susanne and I work together on how we will implement the volunteer opportunities at HQ and in our stores. Our goal is to drive awareness around volunteering, provide education, and motivate each person in our brand to volunteer their time to a cause that’s important to them.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
S: I love spending time outside, especially for days at a time! Nature is wild and unpredictable and requires you to tune into a different frequency. It’s mindfulness, really – being attentive to the moment, whether watching for snakes on a hiking trail or shooting stars in the sky.
M: I’m inspired by people doing good for each other and for our earth. There are so many amazing people out there that are doing incredible things. I wish those stories were highlighted more in the media. If more people saw how much good is being done out in the world, it would create more inspiration to keep the good going.
WHAT CAUSE DO YOU CARE ABOUT?
S: So many but I dedicate time primarily to Friends of the Petaluma River.
M: I am deeply focused on animal rights and the environment.
STYLE PERSONALITY
S: Very basic. I wear jeans every day. And I like pink (and I’m not ashamed to say it).
M: It depends on the day. I love dressing up, but also love being really casual. I always want to feel put together no matter what fashion mood I’m in that day.
ALL-TIME FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING
S: A colorful scarf that friends covet. It was designed by Sarah Carlson, a.k.a. Athleta Design Mastermind. No wonder.
M: My blue patent Louboutin shoes. They hurt like hell but are just so pretty.
LAST PURCHASE
S: Flip-flops.
M: A hammock for our backyard and I love it!
WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED FROM CUSTOMERS
S: Athleta customers care about everything from our product to our mission. And they’re happy to tell us how we’re doing – from product reviews to social media posts to participation in surveys and focus groups. Some customers go so far as to write letters about how the brand has impacted their lives in profound ways. I know teams across the organization take this feedback to heart.
M: They want quality in the clothes they purchase and value great customer service. If a customer isn’t greeted in our stores, that is a huge negative in their eyes. It’s like having someone over to your home and not making them feel welcome. Every customer is important and needs to be treated that way – that is what builds their loyalty and sets us apart.
FAVORITE GAP INC. MOMENT
S: When Ed Sellai accepted Athleta’s Cowbell Award. A man of few words, he spoke so eloquently about how lucky he felt to be a part of the Athleta organization. It brought everyone in the room to tears.
M: Meeting my husband for the first time and knowing that was the guy I was going to marry. If you ask him, he’ll tell you he felt the same thing when he saw me.
FIRST JOB
S: I babysat my three younger sisters every Friday so my parents could go out to dinner. I bought a bicycle with my earnings. It was an amazing feeling.
M: I grew up in a small town, so options were limited. I worked at McDonalds and really enjoyed it, except the fact that I came home at night smelling like grease. It’s funny now because I’m a vegetarian and the thought of eating a McDonald’s burger makes me cringe.
EPIPHANY MOMENT
S: When I realized, in the aisle of an art supply store, that the reason I was feeling sick was because I was pregnant. Technically I can’t take the credit for the idea since the store associate was the one who suggested it.
M: I lost my brother and both maternal grandparents within months of each other. It was incredible loss to go through and it put life into perspective for me. We never know what the future will bring, so I truly try to be grateful for every day.
THEME SONG
S: American Girl by Tom Petty.
M: Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. I have a picture of three little birds on my wall to remind me if I’m having a bad day that, “every little thing gonna be alright.”
SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU
S: I speak French.
M: I have 38 plants in my house. A majority are air plants, but they still count. I love the life they bring into a room and looking at them just makes me happy.
WHY GAP INC.?
S: I am proud to work at company that makes doing good work in the world a priority. Especially now.
M: I am grateful to work for a company that is aligned with my personal values. Doing more than just selling clothes really resonates with me. To see our company focused on sustainability, equality, P.A.C.E. – it’s really inspiring.
See how our Gap Inc. leaders lend a hand in the community.
Check out Athleta's latest efforts when it comes to igniting a community of active women and girls.
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