Malissa Fogel
Malissa Fogel is a seasoned luxury retail professional with over 25 years of experience in fine jewelry, luxury furniture, gourmet kitchenware, and high-end home décor. Her journey in luxury retail began when a friend encouraged her to apply at Tiffany & Co. in Scottsdale, Arizona. Hired initially as a bridal consultant, Malissa quickly advanced through the ranks, holding positions as Customer Service Coordinator, Operations Assistant Manager, and eventually Operations Manager in multiple locations, including Walnut Creek, California, San Antonio, and Austin, Texas. Over her 14-and-a-half-year tenure at Tiffany, she also earned her certification as a Graduate Gemologist, solidifying her expertise in gemstones and fine jewelry.
After Tiffany & Co., Malissa transitioned to the luxury furniture sector, joining Walter E. Smithe Furniture + Design in Illinois as a Furniture Sales & Design Consultant for over three years. In addition to her sales and design expertise, she has held leadership and operational roles across high-end retail environments, including merchandising management, store operations, event consulting, and personnel development. Her leadership is consistently recognized for balancing operational efficiency with exceptional customer experiences, mentoring staff, and driving revenue growth.
Currently, Malissa serves as a Quality Control Associate for Tiffany Repairs at Jewel‑Craft Inc. in Kentucky, where she ensures the highest standards of craftsmanship for luxury jewelry. With a career spanning fine jewelry, furniture, and gourmet home goods, Malissa combines her passion for luxury products, deep industry knowledge, and dedication to mentoring teams. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies/Marketing from the University of Arizona and certifications in Media Training and Gemology. Known for her professionalism, creativity, and commitment to excellence, she continues to thrive in environments that value high-quality service, precision, and design.
• Graduate Gemologist
• Media Training
• University of Arizona - Bachelor's degree, Communication and Media Studies/ Marketing
• Serving on the charter board of the Austin Battered Women's Board
• Charter board member of Austin Battered Women's Board
• Works with women's shelters in every city lived in
What do you attribute your success to?
I would definitely say the success of the Austin store was my most notable achievement. I worked hard to curate a great staff. I try to hire people that know more than I do about something, so I can learn from them, and they can benefit from my leadership. It just turned out to be a very successful combination, and that store was very successful from the get-go. I also had an incredible mentor early in my career, Meredith Rohner, who was my store director when I was a salesperson and bridal consultant. She was always kind of our cheerleader, telling us what a great job we did and making sure we understood our roles. When it came time for me to be promoted, she was not hesitant to promote me and to mentor me in my new role. When it came time for me to leave, she gave me an outstanding recommendation so that I could transfer to a different store. She was really very influential in me moving through that company.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say not to be intimidated by the interest rate. It can be very intimidating to be trying to sell someone a very expensive item and not know if you're using the right approach, or if, God forbid, the person can't afford it and you're insulting them. Just not to be afraid to ask questions, don't be afraid, and don't be intimidated.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value curiosity, meaningful connections, and balance in both my work and personal life. Exploring new cultures and experiences through travel recently to South Africa, Iceland, and Norway, and soon to Ireland with my husband fuels my creativity and broadens my perspective. Equally important to me are nurturing relationships, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and approaching challenges with an open mind, all of which guide how I engage with colleagues, clients, and the world around me.