In Conversation with Jackee de Lagarde

Mar 9

Tell us about your background:

Jackee de Lagarde is a global licensing and brand management executive with more than 20 years of experience building and marketing high-impact category expansion programs for some of the most recognized brands in fashion and lifestyle. She most recently served as Vice President of Global Licensing at Kate Spade New York, where she led strategy and execution for the brand’s worldwide licensing portfolio, driving brand expansion, new market entry, and revenue growth through strategic partnerships.

Throughout her career, Jackee has developed a reputation for building strong partnerships and scaling licensing businesses that elevate brand equity while delivering commercial results. Her expertise spans licensing, brand management and development, marketing, strategic partnerships, contract negotiations, merchandising, and P&L oversite. Prior to Kate Spade, she held senior licensing roles at Kenneth Cole Productions and worked with global brands including Sean John, French Connection, and Dockers, a former division of Levi Strauss & Co.

Jackee is the founder of a new consulting practice, Dehyah Consulting Group, focused on helping brands and companies unlock growth through licensing, strategic partnerships, brand development and management. She is also the host of a podcast, Who Cares About Me?, dedicated to conversations around caregiving, leadership, and navigating life’s unexpected transitions.

In 2024, Jackee was recognized by Crain's New York Business as one of the “Top 100 Notable Black Leaders”. She also serves on the Board of the Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation.

Jackee earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and son and enjoys entertaining, gardening, and creating meaningful moments with family and friends.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
Diversify your career path, push your leaders to move you into other functions of the organization.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Lead with empathy.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Empathy, self-awareness, integrity, resilience, accountability.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

Being stuck in one specialty, for me, it's licensing.

How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?

Success is achieving your goals, motivating and inspiring your teams and colleagues, giving back to your communities, providing for my family.

How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?

A large portion of my function is networking and building relationships, so it's essential and has made me who I am today.

What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?

Make notes, remember little things, always check in.