For our team members at Komar, working here is about shaping an industry that values people, purpose, and progress. And that commitment does not stop at our doors.
We’re lucky to have several members of our team sharing their expertise beyond the workplace, teaching at leading institutions and helping guide the next generation of fashion professionals. Among them are Michelle Barresi and Yelena Mogelefsky, who both teach at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, where they inspire students to think critically about the business of fashion and the future of global sourcing.
Michelle, who teaches Business Intelligence in Planning and Buying, helps students connect analytics to real-world decision-making.
“What I do every day at work is exactly what I bring into the classroom. Teaching allows me to turn real-world planning and buying experiences into lessons that prepare students for the realities of the retail industry. As an FIT graduate, it feels full circle to share the knowledge and tools that shaped my career with the next generation of retail leaders.”
Yelena, also an FIT alum, teaches Global Sourcing and International Trade in the International Trade & Marketing department. Her course blends classroom theory with day-to-day industry practice, bringing real scenarios from her work in apparel sourcing and production for students to analyze, debate, and solve collaboratively.
“I’m an FIT ITM alum, so I know firsthand how helpful real-world experience is in the classroom. Global sourcing shifts every day, and mentoring students as they turn messy, real industry problems into smart solutions is a joy, and I’m always learning from them about what matters in fashion.”
Both Michelle and Yelena see the classroom as an extension of Komar’s mission to elevate quality of life through excellence in apparel. By mentoring future industry leaders, they are not only sharing their expertise but also instilling the same values that guide Komar: ethical business practices, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
