Inside Global Brand Building with Allison Badea, Chief Marketing Officer, Kate Spade

Join us for a conversation with UNC Hussman alumna Allison Badea, Chief Marketing Officer of Kate Spade New York, as she shares her career journey from Carolina to leading marketing for one of the world’s most recognized fashion and lifestyle brands.

In this engaging session, Allison will provide an inside look at the evolving role of the CMO across luxury, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries. Students will gain insight into how modern brand leaders balance creativity, business strategy, consumer insights, and cultural relevance while guiding global marketing efforts.

Drawing from her extensive experience across communications, branding, advertising, and marketing, Allison will discuss key milestones in her career and case studies from campaigns she has helped shape. These examples will offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on how major brands navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and build meaningful connections with consumers. Allison will discuss how integrated campaigns come together from insight and strategy through execution and measurement. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from a Carolina alumna whose career spans public relations, branding, advertising, and marketing, and to learn how strategic communication skills can open doors across industries and leadership roles.