Cynthia Hirsch Ortiz

Cynthia Hirsch Ortiz, RDI, most recently served as the New York Chapter President. As President (2018-2020 term), she was thrilled by the amazing experience shared with the Executive team and with the growth and success achieved in keeping the Chapter focused and growing. She founded her business Collaborative Design Strategies in 2018 utilizing her many years working on both the vendor side and the architectural design consulting side to make valuable connections assisting the retail industry. Her extensive knowledge in visual and store design has led to key relationships with Brooks Brothers, Target, Cartier, Fossil and many others. Hirsch is an active member of Shop! Association and was recently named to serve on the Shop! board of directors. She also chairs of both its Creative Council and Women’s League. Hirsch also served as the host of the Retail Decoded: Defining the “Next” Normal podcast focusing on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the retail industry. In 2017, Hirsch served as co-chair of the the Planning and Visual Education Partnership Gala. Speaking engagements include presentations at the 2020 Global Retail Show on Retail Revolution along with Institute Chairman Ray Ehscheid. She has been a member of the Institute since 2015.