This month’s alumni spotlight features Emily Whitebay-McClish ’08, an accomplished fashion professional whose path from Ross School to her current role as the Director of Client Relations for Dior Americas reflects her deep-seated passions for travel, culture, fashion, and art.
Emily attended Ross School from tenth to twelfth grade, graduating in the Class of 2008. According to Emily, one of the most impactful aspects of her Ross education was the emphasis on travel and cultural exploration. She took part in Field Academy trips to Ghana to study local music and to New Orleans to help support local schools and communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. She believes these experiences sparked her passion for cross-cultural understanding and world travel, and to date, she has visited over 50 countries!
Emily earned her undergraduate degree from Fordham University and later received Senior Management Training from Christian Dior, United Kingdom. Currently, her role at Dior centers on developing cultural experiences surrounding each fashion show for the brand’s top clients (in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America). Among her favorite projects are Dior's international fashion shows held outside Dior’s Paris home, in locations such as Mumbai, Marrakesh, Cairo, and Mexico City. Working in the intersection of fashion and culture, Emily's career has become an embodiment of her passions.
For anyone interested in pursuing a career in the fashion world, Emily believes it is essential to immerse oneself fully in the industry, pursue internships, and work hard. She stresses the importance of being a team player and building interpersonal relationships, underscoring the pivotal role of connections in professional growth within any industry.
When asked what advice she has for current and prospective Ross students, Emily emphasized the importance of finding one's passion and pursuing it with dedication, sharing, “Despite how it may seem now, life is short! Find your passion and chase it. Surround yourself with friends and colleagues who challenge and inspire you, and make sure you carve out time for fun and laughter at least once a day.”
Emily also discussed the importance of one’s teachers. “During your high school years, you spend more time at school than with your family or friends. I fundamentally believe that teachers can make a monumental impact on the lives of their students. For that reason, the quality of the educators is one of the most important factors a parent can consider when enrolling their children in school. High school is about learning and discovery, and a great teacher can inspire and empower students to pursue their passions.”
She names faculty Carrie Clark and Terry Lichtenstein as her most impactful teachers at Ross, recalling how they connected and empathized with her on an individual level. She also credits Dr. Lichtenstein’s Art History classes with fostering her passion for art, which she now incorporates as much as she can within her career.
Emily Whitebay-McClish's journey from Ross School to her current role at Dior exemplifies the power of following one's passions with dedication, forming meaningful connections, and embracing cultural understanding. Her path serves as an inspiration to those seeking to weave together their interests into a fulfilling and impactful professional journey.
