Rushed school drop-offs and early morning calls is how Kelsey Groome ’00 starts the day. Before dialing into meetings across the campus of the Parsons School of Design, she tries to squeeze in time to read the latest news in business and fashion.
Groome serves as Head of Strategic Partnerships and Global Development at Parsons, where she helps build the school’s global presence, partnerships and identify opportunities for growth.
She began her career in investment banking where she worked with and helped launch brands such as Lululemon, Crocs and Ulta Beauty. After earning her MBA from Columbia Business School, she moved into private equity, investing in consumer brands and helping them grow.
Her path shifted when she joined Traub, a consulting firm advising brands on expansion. There, she guided companies through franchising and international growth, helping them enter new markets and establish a larger national and global presence.
“We did a lot of real estate development projects in the retail and mixed-use space in the Middle East,” Groome said. “It was all in the spirit of profitable growth and partnership.”
Groome has always had a passion for travel and exploration.
“What I passionately believe in, in terms of what I do at Parsons and what I did with many brands, is this notion of commerce as a way of partnership,” Groome said. “That’s how we bridge different worlds and cultures, and when people engage in trade, that’s common ground.”
Groome believes that this common ground is crucial to building successful businesses across different markets.
“It’s important to view the world from a local lens,” Groome said. “You have to understand the culture and fabric of these communities because it’s very different. To build a successful business, whether it’s a brand or a university, your product has to be very much tailored to that.”
That philosophy ultimately drew her to Parsons, where she saw an opportunity to apply those principles to education and design.
“I think being a design school today is very front and center for having the human elements in technology,” Groome said. “We have students who have made incredible headway in sustainability and innovative thinking. What’s harnessed within design at Parsons paves the way for a different and better future.”
Groome credits Hockaday with helping her develop both analytical and creative skills, encouraging her to go beyond her comfort zone.
“Hockaday does a very good job at blending the left and the right brain and making sure that students feel confident navigating both sides of that brain,” Groome said.
Groome said Hockaday’s wide range of classes allowed her to discover a new creative outlet.
“While my strengths tend to be more analytical and logical, I also discovered a love for photography while I was here,” Groome said. “It was the first time I really pushed myself to think about a skill set in the realms of being creative.”
Pushing herself creatively at Hockaday taught her about the importance of embracing personal and professional growth.
“I think this notion of being able to think about growth, whether it’s personal growth or business growth, in a productive way is having the curiosity and the vision to think about and navigate change,” Groome said.
Groome adds that growth also requires patience and self-awareness.?
“I think challenging and pushing yourself doesn’t always work out,” Groome said. “The notion of taking a breath, having patience with yourself and being able to regroup is a really important lesson.”
