Jennifer Fleiss, Co-Founder Of Rent The Runway, Speaks At IMPACT Leadership Dinner

Replaces Speaker Jennifer Hyman

  • Monday, February 5, 2018
Jennifer Fleiss
Jennifer Fleiss

The Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute has confirmed Jennifer Fleiss, co-founder of Rent the Runway and CEO and co-founder of Code Eight, as the keynote for their 13th annual IMPACT Leadership Dinner. Jennifer Hyman, the original speaker, had a scheduling conflict preventing her from attending. No other details have been affected. The event will take place on Feb. 22 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center.  

In 2009 Ms. Fleiss co-founded Rent the Runway, a company that introduced clothing rental as a utility in women’s everyday lives to the $1.7 trillion fashion industry. In her role at the start-up, Ms. Fleiss wore many different hats, serving as president, head of Logistics, head of Business Development and gead of Special Projects. Ms. Fleiss remains a Rent the Runway board member and advisor. Currently at Code Eight, the first portfolio company within Walmart’s startup incubator, Ms. Fleiss leads a team focused on developing highly-personalized, one-to-one shopping experiences. 

“I am so excited to welcome Jennifer Fleiss to Chattanooga to speak about strong female leadership in the start-up, fashion and tech industries,” said Julie Baumgardner, 2018 IMPACT chairperson. “Jennifer Hyman sent her sincere apologies for the conflict. Her former partner Jennifer Fleiss stepped in without hesitation and will be speaking about her personal journey in the start-up world. Her message on female entrepreneurship will be inspiring to hear first-hand.” 

Ms. Fleiss has been honored with numerous recognitions including: Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30”; Fortune Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and “Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs”; and Fast Company’s “Most Influential Women in Technology”. Rent the Runway was named one of the “25 Most Disruptive Brands” by Forbes, one of the “50 companies disrupting the status-quo” by CNBC, one of the “10 Most Innovative Fashion Companies” by Fast Company and one of the “50 Best Websites” by TIME. Prior to Code Eight and Rent the Runway, Ms. Fleiss worked at Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley as part of their Strategic Planning Groups. 

Ms. Fleiss earned her MBA from Harvard Business School and graduated Cum Laude from Yale University. She is co-founder of the RTR Foundation, an advisor to several female-founded startups, serves on the advisory board of the Harvard Business School Startup Studio and is a guest lecturer at Yale, Princeton, NYU, Columbia and Harvard Business School. 

A limited number of tables and individual tickets are currently available for purchase online at www.cwli.org or by calling 394-8173. For more information about the event, including sponsorship opportunities call 394-8173. Special thanks to the 2018 corporate partners, First Tennessee Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Community Trust, EPB, The Women’s Network of Miller & Martin, Synovus, SunTrust, Merrill Lynch, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Husch Blackwell, Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, CHI Memorial Foundation, Chambliss Bahner & Stophel, P.C., Chase and J.P. Morgan.

Latest Headlines
Business/Government
Spring CLEAN Initiative To Focus On Neighborhood Surrounding Mack Gaston Center In Dalton
  • 3/28/2024

Spring cleaning is just as much a part of April as blooming plants and seasonal allergies. This year, the City of Dalton is organizing an effort for a "Spring CLEAN" in one of our founding neighborhoods. ... more

Grand Jury No Bills And True Bills
  • 3/28/2024

Here are the grand jury no bills and true bills: No Bills: 1 BELCHER, ALBERT LEBRON THEFT OF PROPERTY 03/27/2024 True Bills: 317120 1 MOSLEY, SHANE L POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE ... more

Chattanooga Chamber Calendar Of Events April 1-5
  • 3/28/2024

April 1, Ribbon Cutting for Tazikis- Hixson 10-10:30 a.m. Tazikis- Hixson: 5215 Hwy. 153 Join the Chattanooga Chamber for a ribbon cutting event for Tazikis-Hixson. No cost. ... more