In Conversation with Lisa Freedland
Tell us about your background:
My name is Lisa Freedland, and I am thrilled to be joining the Co-Lab as a new member. I have worked in the fashion industry for over 20 years, first starting in apparel and accessories sales, managing private label and licensed business with retailers like Kohl’s, Target, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales. With a personal love of style, I loved being a part of the entire lifecycle of the product. This collective business allowed me to learn about design, production and logistics, and how important communication and teamwork is to build successful fashion businesses. As I gained more experience and built stronger relationships with both internal and external partners, I took on more leadership roles and financial responsibilities to drive success further.
Over 20 years later, I am using my industry experience and love of fashion as the Managing Director of Prym Fashion Americas, a global trim supplier to the fashion industry. Prym is a nearly 500-year-old family-owned business headquartered in Stolberg, Germany. We have offices around the world as well as two factories: one in Stolberg, Germany and the other in Lecco, Italy. As the Managing Director, I lead a team of 15 team members, focusing on growing our business with American fashion brands. We work together as a team with our colleagues in Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Italy, and Germany to provide our fashion brand partners the trim they need, wherever they need it. My favorite part of my role is getting to work with people all over the world. Trim may be the smallest part of a garment, but I can assure you that behind the scenes, my team is connecting the dots on design, manufacturing, logistics, and more, to create the perfect 4-hole button that will finish the garment impeccably.
Aside from my daily role as Managing Director, I have also pioneered a female leadership group at Prym. The Prym Women’s Leadership Collective is a collaborative and supportive network designed to empower women to advance their leadership skills. It combines peer mentorship, coaching, and community to help women overcome unique workplace challenges, develop authentic leadership styles, and increase their impact across various roles. In 2025, 50 women participated in monthly collaborative discussions. The program is now being relaunched to invite more women to join. Having the opportunity to bring this kind of initiative to a large organization like Prym, has been a highlight of my career.
I look forward to meeting more industry professionals through the Co-Lab. I am interested in networking opportunities, business connections, and making more friends in the industry. The fashion industry is filled with smart and interesting people, and I hope to connect with more of you soon!
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
I wish I would have known that all of my mistakes and cringe-worthy moments were really learning opportunities and confidence boosters. And I survived them all!
What leadership qualities are important to you?
Honesty, open communication, and emotional intelligence.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
Realizing you have outgrown a position you love. With experience and maturity, it becomes easier to see when your personal goals don't match your current role. And loving the team you work with makes this realization even harder. This is ok! It may mean we need to pivot or change directions to a new adventure.
How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?
My definition of success has changed dramatically over time. Again, I think this comes with maturity and experience. In the early days, success meant a title and money. Now, success means being proud of my work. I feel successful when I see someone on my team succeed. I feel successful when I hire someone great. I feel successful when I have the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures for business. Success is many things to me now, and rarely does it have to do with my title.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisafreedland/
Website: https://www.prym-fashion.com/en/
Instagram: @LisaFreedland
