BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (March 16, 2023) ― Two Ten Footwear Foundation today announced that Susan Itzkowitz, president of Marc Fisher Footwear, will receive the 2023 A.A. Bloom Memorial Award for extraordinary service advancing the Two Ten mission of lifting lives in footwear.
“We are delighted to recognize Susan for the immeasurable contribution she has made to the industry community over the years, both through distinguished service on the Two Ten Board of Directors and as a passionate champion for increased representation of women in the industry. She’s been a mentor and role model for so many women now in leadership roles across the footwear industry,” said Shawn Osborne, president and CEO of Two Ten Footwear Foundation. “Susan epitomizes the spirit of the A.A. Bloom Award. Her tireless Board service and her commitment to fostering female talent in this industry are inspiring.”
The A.A. Bloom Award was created in honor of the late A.A. Bloom, one of the original founders of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation. The award recognizes an individual who has given greatly to further the mission of the Foundation through his or her dedication, initiative, and hard work. Itzkowitz demonstrates that drive to fulfill Two Ten’s mission. She has been a guiding force as the Foundation evolved over the past 14 years, not only advocating for greater representation of women on the Board but helping to institute a Board Nominating Committee to ensure that diverse candidates would be considered for all open positions. Itzkowitz has also championed programs supporting Two Ten’s Women in the Footwear Industry (WIFI) community. Earlier this year she was instrumental to the launch of the WIFI Professional Development Grant to help women upskill and advance in the industry.
“All of us on the Board at Two Ten share a commitment to lifting lives in footwear and I’m fortunate to have been in a position to advance that mission,” said Itzkowitz. “I take such joy from my work with Two Ten. It’s deeply satisfying to be able to offer hope to colleagues in need and I’m proud of what Two Ten does to provide opportunity, especially for women in the industry. When we help advance careers in footwear and support opportunities for a diverse workforce, we are building a stronger, more inclusive and more resilient industry.”
Prior to joining Marc Fisher Footwear Company, Itzkowitz was Group President at Nine West Group, where she was charged with the oversight and direction of all branded footwear lines. During her impressive tenure across her expansive career, Susan has been responsible for assembling an all-star executive team―all the while leading an inclusive corporate culture, mentoring hundreds of women, and paving the way for the women who follow her to have an equal place at the table in leadership positions in the footwear industry.
“Long before Susan and I had launched Marc Fisher Footwear Company, I had admired Susan’s leadership and her broad wholesale and retail experience” said Marc Fisher, CEO of Marc Fisher Footwear. “Having Susan as the president of our company, and under her guidance and leadership, together, we’ve established a brand portfolio of over fourteen brands, becoming the largest privately held multi-brand footwear company in America. Susan’s continued focus on wholesale/digital growth and company culture is a legacy she holds here at the company, and I look forward to continuing this journey with her in the years to come.”
Itzkowitz will be receiving the 2023 A.A. Bloom Award at the Two Ten Annual Gala in New York City on June 6, 2023. The Two Ten Gala is a highlight of FFANY Market Week. Contact development@twoten.org for more information about tickets or sponsorship.
About Two Ten
Two Ten Footwear Foundation is an independent charitable organization serving the American footwear community. Two Ten provides emergency financial assistance in times of disaster, crisis or hardship and access to free financial, legal, or mental health counseling at any time as well as educational grants for upskilling/professional development and scholarships to make college more affordable for industry employees and their children. Two Ten brings the people of footwear together to support each other, promoting a culture of inclusivity and building a more resilient industry workforce. Two Ten is the only charitable foundation in the U.S. with this unique mission and since its founding in the 1930s has brought hope and opportunity to generations of footwear families. Learn more at twoten.org
About Marc Fisher Footwear
Established in 2005, Marc Fisher Footwear Company is a leading full-service, product-driven fashion footwear company with knowledge and expertise in design, sales, sourcing, distribution, web services and marketing – all with dedicated and strategic direction for each brand within the portfolio, which includes Easy Spirit, earth, Calvin Klein, Nine West, Tommy Hilfiger, GUESS, G by Guess, Bandolino, indigo rd., and UNISA along with the namesake brands — Marc Fisher and Marc Fisher LTD. Our diverse portfolio of globally recognized brands – available domestically and internationally via wholesale and retail channels — consistently meets the widest range of consumers’ fashion footwear needs, from classic to contemporary, sport to dress, men’s to women’s. Headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, with showrooms in New York City, Marc Fisher Footwear is sold worldwide through department stores, specialty stores and e-commerce channels.
