Nancy Berger is a dynamic leader whose career spans over three decades in the media and branding industries. With a deep commitment to innovation and strategic growth, she has redefined iconic brands and inspired transformative connections across industries.

In 2023, Nancy launched Start With A Good (S.W.A.G.) a venture rooted in the belief that great beginnings start with something good …  ideas, collaborations, connections…even a good hair day(!). Through this platform, she advises a diverse array of esteemed clients,  all culture-defining brands, such as Art Basel: Miami, Paris, Hong Kong, Basel; Tribeca Film Festival and Tribeca X;  Katie Couric Media, Her Campus Media, The Daily Beast, Hearst Labs; Statusphere; BEAM Impact; and  PlanetFWD among others. Nancy also creates and hosts bi-annual Power Retreats on the East and West Coasts, offering a space for discovery with a curated group of female leaders to connect, innovate, and recharge.

Pioneering Industry Innovations

Nancy’s career is marked by groundbreaking initiatives, such as:

– Allure’s Best of Beauty Seal:  Still THE gold standard in the beauty industry, revolutionizing product recognition, impacting point of purchase displays and packaging, driving product sales both in-store and on-line, creating licensing opportunities and new revenue streams.   AND throwing the best annual industry event celebrating beauty where every guest left with the BEST AND MOST swag as a parting gift… a suitcase filled with thousands of dollar worth of award-winning beauty products and tools.

– The Marie Claire Power Trip:  A bold 36-hour annual networking event, which included a chartered commercial plane, DELL laptops for all attendees, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and a unique networking opportunity among a curated group of female leaders across industries.

(Fun Fact: The Power Trip was recently featured in Diane Keaton’s movie, Mack & Rita)

–CosmoTrips:  A travel initiative responding to post-pandemic trends, showcasing Nancy’s ability to identify and capitalize on emerging market opportunities.  Girlfriend getaways curated by Cosmo editors and influencers,  CosmoTrips put the magazine brand on the map in the travel industry as the best, most credible avenue to reach women 25-40.

–Cosmo-Hauliday:  A first-of-its-kind shopping holiday inspired by Singles day in China and tailored to 18-34 yo consumers. Cosmo-Hauliday offered up exclusive deals across 30 fashion brands over 48 hours.  With Klarna as the presenting sponsor, Nancy spearheaded the first-ever live shopping event at Macy’s for this demographic, merging innovative retail strategies with immersive digital experiences.

– The Next Big Thing pop up store, Wooster Street in SoHo, NYC: Sponsored by Mastercard, this experiential shopping destination showcased cutting-edge trends in retail, art, fashion and accessories, food, and beauty. The pop-up highlighted Nancy’s passion and ability to create immersive consumer experiences.

–Shoes First:  An initiative inspired by Marie Claire’s Fashion Director, Nina Garcia, to choose your “shoes first” and the wardrobe up from there. This platform changed the game in consumer shopping behavior.  Included was multi-media amplification, retail partners including SAKS,

Lord & Taylor and Macy’s for events.  Shoe shopping giveaways as incentives for readers and for the sales staff drove 6 figure revenue increases.

Legacy of Leadership

Nancy has held key leadership roles at Condé Nast and Hearst, managing iconic brands like *Vanity Fair*, *Allure*, *Gourmet*, *Marie Claire*, *Cosmopolitan*, and *Women’s Health*. Her efforts have consistently driven record-breaking revenues, repositioned brand identities, and expanded global footprints. Her innovative approaches include leveraging multimedia platforms, creating experiential campaigns, and approaching and building business based on a BRAND FIRST commitment to excellence.

Empowering Women and Building Communities

Nancy is a passionate advocate for empowering women. She is a motivational speaker. She mentors young professionals, supports female founders, and connects women executives through her curated retreats. Her dedication extends to fostering professional growth and personal well-being, all making her a role model and catalyst for change.

Board Memberships and Influence

Nancy actively serves on several esteemed boards and organizations including:

– Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW)

– Fashion Group International (FGI)

– Outstanding Mother Awards, supporting No Kid Hungry

– Runway of Dreams

– Breakthrough T1D

-Stimulate

– DealmakeHers

– Retail Influencer Network

These roles reflect her dedication to shaping the future of industries and causes she holds close to her heart.

Recognition and Influence

A sought-after advisor and thought leader, Nancy has been honored as one of *Ad Age’s* “Publisher of the Year” and recognized among the “Top Women in Media.” Her work continues to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Personal Philosophy

Nancy’s career reflects her belief that reinvention and alignment are key to professional and personal success. Her mantra, “Start with a good idea, connection, or collaboration,” underscores her approach to leadership and innovation. She exemplifies the power of transformation, not just in business, but in life.