THE TEAM

JASON KEEHN - CEO & FOUNDER

Jason founded ACCOMPANY to leverage the economic engine of the fashion and lifestyle industry towards positive impact for global communities in need. Jason brings with him 3 key areas of expertise – strategic image-making for global fashion retailers, leadership experience growing a small business, and a passion for applied ethics surrounding the needs of marginalized and exploited communities. Since 2006, Jason has been integral in growing YARD – a strategic image-making agency in New York – and now leads their expansion efforts as Chief Growth Officer. Jason has established and led relationships to strategically craft and design communications platforms, brand identities, multi-channel advertising campaigns and targeted retail promotions across a range of clients in fashion, retail and socially conscious lifestyles, including John Varvatos, Tumi, Kenneth Cole, Perry Ellis, Converse, Timberland, Equinox, Method, Shea Moisture and Smartwater. Simultaneously, while completing an M.S. in Global BioEthics at Columbia University, Jason published in 3 academic journals and in 2 national conferences his research on the under-acknowledged risks of low-income women and the ways in which unregulated fertility markets treat them like commodities. ACCOMPANY is Jason’s merger between these disparate pursuits – the fun of growing small businesses, the reward of creating compelling lifestyle brands, and the conviction that vulnerable populations with less opportunity deserve a fair chance at prosperity.

GREG JAROSZEWSKI – VP, CREATIVE PRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS

Greg wears many hats at Accompany. First, he leads our documentary effort to understand, respect and share the human stories behind our product partners.  Greg spent many years producing for leading image-making icons out of Paris: Mario Testino, Mert & Marcus and Joe McKenna. Greg has led the production of photography, video and digital content for some of the world’s most iconic luxury clients including Burberry, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo, Givenchy, Gucci, Lancome, Roberto Cavalli, Versace; and editorial clients W, Interview, English Vogue, French Vogue, Spanish Vogue, Vogue Nippon, and LOVE. This extraordinary talent for production and organization also makes Greg a great fit for managing our operations and finances.

KARA GERSON – VP, SPECIAL PROJECTS

Kara brings to Accompany management and leadership experience in social issues, international development, and communications. Most recently, she was the first Executive Director of Voss Foundation, the charitable organization founded by VOSS Water to change the lives of communities in Sub-Saharan Africa with access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; with a focus on female empowerment and economic development. Previously, she had worked at The Economist's New York bureau; The Hill newspaper in Washington, DC; and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Having begun her work experience with fashion and media internships at Mulberry, Coach, CBS News' 48 Hours, Seventeen, and Teen People, Kara is thrilled to finally be able to combine her first loves of beautiful design and story-telling with her lifelong passion for making the world a better place.

 

JEN PINTO - PR Director

Jen has been a fashion publicist for over 18 years with a career that began at Giorgio Armani and followed at other luxury fashion houses such as Prada, Gucci, and Calvin Klein. Jen then worked on the editorial side at Allure magazine, before lead the inhouse efforts at Juicy Couture and later joining Nanette Lepore -- a role that expanded her experience into special events, celebrity dressing and overall branding, including recent visits to the White House to lobby support for bringing back manufacturing to America.

JASON WAGG – DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Jason brings a variety of experiences across fashion, digital, and business development to Accompany. Raised in a musical household, creativity and the creative process has always been a part of his environment and mission. His previous work has brought success to a number of fashion businesses, including Tom Ford, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, and AHAlife. Jason is so excited to support impassioned entrepreneurship around the world through his work with Accompany.
 
 

KATIE LINDSAY – DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROJECTS

Katie brings to Accompany a strong background in business, merchandising and e-commerce. Prior to Accompany Katie was a senior buyer at Gilt Groupe, managing the children's accessories and apparel departments. She joined Gilt in 2008 and during her six years there Gilt grew from roughly 50 employees to over 1,000. She started her career at Goldman Sachs where she was an analyst for three years.
 
 

ELIZABETH KIESTER, Advisor

As part of the executive-level creative direction team at Victoria's Secret, Elizabeth brings with her broad and deep experience in creative direction, fashion direction, color and trend, and product design and development for a host of global fashion brands and retailers. Her extensive resume includes executive creative roles at Tory Burch, Li & Fung, Juicy Couture, LeSportsac, Abercrombie & Fitch, YM magazine, JANE magazine and Marie Claire -- in addition to launching and creating her own fashion and lifestyle collection in Siem Reap, Cambodia, utilizing and training young at-risk women to assist in production, design and resourcing.
 

JILL DENTE - ADVISOR

Jill brings to Accompany the prefect blend of fashion and editorial knowledge, having styled fashion segments and celebrities on MTV, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight and The View; crafted editorial trend pieces for Marie Claire, Self, Teen People, Elle, YM and Seventeen Magazine; and led in-house fashion direction and trend & concept for Coach, Chip & Pepper and Shopbop.com

 

Tali Magal - ADVISOR

With over 10 years in fashion, film and photography production, Tali brings together a talented network of designers, celebrities, photographers, journalists, models and taste-makers that help make Accompany tick. She has worked with some of todays most iconic photographers and directors, and has produced photo shoots, films and images for a wide mix of advertising and editorial clients such as Vogue, French Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Vogue Nippon, Purple Mag, Balenciaga, Maiyet, Max Mara, Donna Karan, U2, Rag & Bone and Beyoncé to name a few. 

 

 

STEPHEN NIEDZWIECKI - Advisor 

Founder and Chief Creative Officer of YARD, Stephen has created iconic multi-channel fashion campaigns from the "khaki-swing" spots for Gap in the late 90's, to the alluring John Varvatos campaigns today.  Stephen's vision for beautiful design, distinctive and emotional storytelling, and spotting emerging talent, has built YARD's success with brands like Converse, Timberland, Tumi, Perry Ellis, American Eagle, JC Penney, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Equinox and Smartwater among others.

RUTH BERNSTEIN - Advisor 

Chief Strategic Officer at YARD, Ruth blends insight, intuition and intellect into an uncanny ability to see straight to the heart of each and every brand, often uncovering untapped potential and introducing brands to their true selves.  In addition to guiding many global retailers, Ruth has particular experience in socially conscious brands, having lead the Sundance portfolio with Robert Redford for many years, stewarded innovation for Method, and led positioning and creative expression for Planet Green, Clif/Luna bar, Gaiam, Shea Moisture and Kenneth Cole.
 

elizabeth dolan – Manager, Buying, Merchandising and Product Development

kelsy jones – Manager, Content and Marketing

 

SARAH LOPEZ LOW - Our Honorary "Everything" 

Accompany’s very first team member supporting Jason, Greg and Elizabeth – Sarah literally built our business with us from the ground up.  Bringing a natural sense of style and awareness of up-and-coming designers; with a genuine passion for online shopping; and an uncanny attention to detail across unending lists of responsibilities – Sarah was the backbone that lifted us from an infant-sized business into a healthy and growing one.  After 4 deeply dedicated years managing our designers, our online store and our marketing channels, Sarah has moved on to her next fashion adventure. All of us at Accompany will be forever grateful for her emotional investment, loyalty and drive that helped make us who we are today.  Thank you for everything, Sarah!!!
 

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