Ella Kim

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT ELLA KIM

Ella Kim is a former fashion executive turned educator, passionate about student engagement and project-based learning in secondary education. With a deep-rooted commitment to civics (as a Community Board 4 member) and experience in economics and CTE business education, she is dedicated to developing dynamic learning experiences that ignite curiosity, foster engagement, and cultivate critical thinking in students.Ella believes that education should be dynamic, relevant, and engaging—far beyond passive lectures, it should be a multi-modal experience that encourages active learning and real-world application. As an educator, she seeks to apply her expertise in business, economics, and innovation to secondary school curriculum development, emphasizing project-based learning and hands-on exploration. She is committed to sparking curiosity, inspiring leadership, and empowering students to think critically about the world around them.Prior to transitioning into education, Ella spent 25 years in fashion and retail, leading global product strategy, brand development, and digital commerce for multi-billion-dollar brands. She launched Cloak Supply, an innovative luxury e-commerce startup, and previously served as Chief Product Officer at MCM Worldwide, where she oversaw global product strategy, shaping the brand’s vision and market positioning. She also held leadership roles at Coach, Tory Burch, and J.Crew, spearheading consumer insights-driven product development, e-commerce optimization, and team mentorship.Originally from Los Angeles and now based in New York City, Ella holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, and an MBA from Columbia Business School. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree in education at Hunter College and is an active community leader and advocate for curriculum reform.