Melissa Lacognata

Melissa LaCognata is an accomplished retail and merchandising professional with extensive experience in leadership roles within the industry. Currently serving as the SVP, Merchandising & Chief Creative Officer at Lucky 21 Partners since April 2022, Melissa previously held the position of Vice President of Growth at ReturnQueen, leading strategic market initiatives for a tech startup. In addition, Melissa founded Tavole e Vino, creating charcuterie boards and wine pairings for small gatherings during the pandemic. Prior experience includes significant roles at Party City, where responsibilities encompassed managing merchandising for a $1B retail sales operation, and at Steve Madden as a buyer, focusing on product coverage and profitability. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Montclair State University.