Her Story
About Denise
Denise Pagano is a seasoned retail and merchandising professional with 45 years of experience in the uniform and healthcare apparel industry. Throughout her career, she has built extensive expertise in omni-channel purchasing, inventory management, product development, assortment planning, pricing strategy, financial and gross margin planning, and vendor relationships. She began her career in 1980 through a cooperative education position and quickly advanced from clerical responsibilities to assistant buyer and then buyer, establishing a strong foundation in retail buying and merchandising.
Over the course of her career, Denise has held leadership and strategic sourcing roles with Life Uniform, Scrubs & Beyond, and Kindthread. Her work has centered on using sales and market data to optimize assortments, demand forecasting, SKU management, inventory performance, pricing, and profitability. She is also highly skilled in vendor negotiation, supplier partnerships, financial analysis, ERP systems, and cross-functional collaboration. Beyond her technical expertise, Denise is recognized for her integrity, reliability, teamwork, and commitment to mentoring and supporting colleagues as they develop their own careers.
Denise earned her bachelor's degree in History from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis. Her professional philosophy is grounded in adaptability, continuous learning, and building meaningful relationships with both colleagues and customers. She takes particular pride in serving healthcare professionals, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when ensuring that frontline workers received uniforms and essential apparel on time was especially meaningful. Looking ahead, Denise hopes to continue applying her strengths in numbers, assortment planning, and business strategy to help organizations—particularly smaller businesses—improve profitability while delivering an excellent customer experience.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Denise
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to good co-workers and supervisors, being a good team player, being honest, coaching others to understand the right way to do things, and learning from mentors at May Company and Dillard's.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to lead with integrity, keep my word, and build genuine relationships. I believe trust, transparency, and meaningful connections are the foundation of a successful and respected career.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see a strong opportunity to focus on the numbers side of the business, particularly planning and assortment planning, while using data and financial insights to help businesses improve profitability and make smarter decisions.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value providing an excellent customer experience, especially for healthcare workers who serve on the front lines. I’m committed to supporting these everyday heroes by ensuring they receive what they need on time while building meaningful, lasting connections with people.
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