Jennifer Ocean

For 36 years, Greyston Bakery has been a successful, pioneering social enterprise using entrepreneurship to address the issues of generational poverty in low income communities. The company was founded in 1982 by Bernie Glassman, a Zen Buddhist who recognized that employment is the gateway out of poverty. The Greyston manufacturing facility in Southwest Yonkers, NY serves as a force for personal transformation and community economic renewal, while baking high quality brownie products for companies such as Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Delta Airlines, CAVA, Sheetz and others. The bakery was built on a hiring practice that is still employed today - it's called Open Hiring. If you want a job at Greyston Bakery, you put your name on a list, and when a job becomes available, you are given a job - no questions asked. Simply put, we hire people - no questions asked - and it works. When people come to the front door of our bakery in Yonkers, NY, we offer an opportunity for employment without judging applicants: no resume, no job application, no interview and no background or reference checks. We are only concerned with what people may do in the future, and not with what they have done in the past. We also provide employees with access, directly and through partnerships with local organizations, to programs and services to help them thrive in the community and overcome any obstacles that may prevent their success on the job. www.greyston.org #OpenHiringWorks

Launched a strategic marketing consultancy to provide project-based marketing strategy, analysis and execution for healthcare, retail and non-profit foundation clients as the industry moves at tidal-wave speed.

Spearheaded Godiva’s effort to transform the retail customer experience in 200+ US boutiques and share best practices, concepts and activations with other Godiva regional business units. Led development of global seasonal marketing campaigns, including selecting & managing agencies and overseeing all phases of strategic and creative development. Led regional marketing teams worldwide through creative asset development process for seasonal & core programs. Developed and implemented a lead market process for delivery of the Marketing Toolkit for all marketing activation programs for 2016 and 2017.

Global Marketing Director, Seasonal Gifting Platform Led worldwide innovation strategy and global line plan development for Godiva’s seasonal business, the largest innovation platform in the company, including Holiday, Valentine’s Day, Spring/Easter, Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival and other global/regional seasons and festivities. Delivered compelling seasonal thematics to drive growth for Godiva’s seasonal businesses including co-branded strategic partnerships for Holiday and Valentine’s Day. Collaborated with Marketing Activation, Visual Merchandising, E-Commerce/Digital teams and lead markets to plan all launches.

Led Godiva’s most important strategic growth initiative and the biggest platform launch in the company’s history - a new sub-brand in the self-treat category launching into accessible channels — Godiva Gems Wrapped Chocolates — including innovation, financial modeling, commercialization, packaging design, core and seasonal global product pipeline, and go-to-market strategy. Initial research results were so strong in North America that business was launched globally within an aggressive nine-month timeline. Developed 50 skus globally. Supervised 25-member team to deliver $124MM in sales in first two years and became the #4 and fastest growing global platform at Godiva via launch in Retail Boutiques, Direct/Online and Wholesale channels. Today, the individually-wrapped chocolates platform is the foundation of Godiva’s CPG portfolio worldwide.

Managed new product launches, promotion and activation plans for the face, lip and nail categories; conducted competitive and IRI analyses, including a segmentation analysis for the foundation segment; developed Rimmel print ads.

Senior Brand Manager, Matrix Men, Shade Memory and Color.Smart (May 2006 - January 2008) Developed 3-year marketing plans for two strategic pillars of Matrix hair care portfolio – Men’s and Color Care. Delivered commercial plans and in-market strategy for all three brands. Supervised February 2007 launch of Shade Memory, a premium shade-specific hair care brand with select salon distribution, including promotional and distribution strategy, salon and stylist education, and new product launch plans. Created promotional and go-to-market strategy for Matrix Men brand to achieve $18MM in 2007 (+20%). Grew business via strategic promotions, partnerships, new distribution and male client trial. Led company’s 1st charity partnership with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Spearheaded initiative to donate $175K in 2008 building strategic alliances on behalf of all Matrix brands to seize incremental business growth. Senior Brand Manager, Biolage (March 2004 - April 2006) Spearheaded comprehensive brand restage for the #1 salon professional hair care brand in the United States. Developed commercial and new product launch strategy for 2005 – 2007 to deliver 10% growth. Managed $8MM promotional budget to support restage. Brand surpassed $300MM in retail sales with successful restage in 2005. Launched new therapeutic/spa brand positioning and line architecture to national salon network (100K salons), including the development of all promotional and educational materials for two new Biolage therapies and a new treatment line. Supervised the rollout of new brand packaging for 70 skus to support therapeutic positioning, reinforce botanical benefits and enhance overall appeal for an “affordable luxury” hair care line.

Led 2004 – 2006 innovation strategy, brand development and equity projects. Developed 3-year brand innovation strategy for $175MM personal wash business to deliver 8% growth in highly competitive bar and body wash segments. Supervised Caress television and print advertising ($25MM budget). Orchestrated brand packaging and graphics restage project and implemented new variant architecture across product line.

Developed 3-year Prestige Lip and Nail category marketing strategy for $121MM global business. Supervised concept, product and advertising development, and merchandising strategy for Fall 2003 roll-out of the Pure Color Velvet lipstick line in U.S., Europe and Asia in premium department store outlets.

Managed development of $18MM color cosmetics line planned to launch into company’s 330+ retail stores in 2002, including all marketing programs, market research, product innovation, and associate education. Led cross-functional team through creation of 5-year strategic plan for Ann Taylor Beauty and Fragrance businesses. P&L responsibility for 150 sku business, built launch financial plan and integrated cosmetics into AT’s Total Wardrobing philosophy via beauty associate education, trial generation, and loyalty-building programs.

Associate Brand Development Manager, Caress (2000) Associate Brand Manager, Pond’s (1999 – 2000) Assistant Brand Manager, Caress (1998 – 1999) Developed first interactive advertising effort to support launch of Clear Solutions Overnight Blemish Reducers for teens. Received company-wide recognition in Unilever’s Power House magazine for creating “Pond’s Squad,” a website designed to generate product awareness and trial among internet-savvy teenage girls.