Finding Your Why - CLAS Master Class

Ever wonder what makes brands like Apple, Nike, and Target stick in the minds of consumers? It's not just a strong product assortment or celebrity ambassadors, it's a strong brand purpose. Learn how a powerful ""Why"" is central to forming a brand and making tough business decisions, as well as how you can use the same formula to create your own personal brand.

Presenter Bio: Brittany Barnes is an award-winning brand manager and strategist, with a knack for identifying creative, inclusive solutions that drive business growth and customer loyalty. She is currently a senior project manager in portfolio strategy & partnerships at Nordstrom, where she drives initiatives that increase the representation and equity of BIPOC brands at the company and manages relationships with the 15 Percent Pledge, Harlem's Fashion Row, and more. Prior to this, Brittany led the production and execution of integrated marketing campaigns for brands such as Dave's Killer Bread, Oscar Mayer, and Neighborhood Goods. Her passion for amplifying historically marginalized communities resulted in her creating the strategic diversity & inclusion framework for her previous company, leading to the creation of nine, company-wide employee resource groups. Brittany graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2014, with her Bachelors of Arts in Journalism & African-American Studies.