Jim Ressa is a project management and creative executive with +30-year career that includes leadership and entrepreneurial roles in business and in government. Jim worked in creating major events for the City of Columbus as well as established companies such as The Dispatch Printing Company and L Brands. During Jim’s tenure at The Dispatch Printing Company, he managed celebrity appearances, focusing specifically on HGTV and TLC.
Jim founded his own event and project management company called Ressa Creative Group. Jim helps to create and manage large corporate events. He also uses these same skills to contract and remodel luxury properties.
Previously, Jim worked for The City of Columbus in The Mayor’s Office. Jim produced large scale signature events for the city as well as private events.
Jim launched his career upon obtaining his Bachelor of Journalism degree from The Ohio State University.
Steve Zawada is an accomplished Retail Executive with +24-year career that includes advancement into increasingly demanding leadership roles based on major successes. With a solid history of leading startup and established brands for some of the world’s leading retailers, he is as much at home managing all departments as he is in leading omni-business channels. His successes include unprecedented revenue and profit growth for brands like ELOQUII, The Limited and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Most recently with ELOQUII Design Inc., Steve co-founded this plus-size women’s fashion brand upon purchase of The Limited Stores’ intellectual property and e-commerce platform. As their Chief Operating Officer, he has made key contributions, building the brand from the ground up and growing a team to +150 associates with offices in Ohio and New York.
Previously, Steve progressed steadily through the ranks with the Limited Stores to serve as their VP of Merchandising for Women’s Wear lines. This role challenged him to lead all Women’s Wear departments with responsibility for the stores and e-commerce businesses.
Earlier in his career, Steve joined Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Abercrombie and Ruehl, as the Merchandise Manager of male categories. Prior to that, he built and launched the Men’s division of Ruehl from the ground up.
Steve launched his career upon obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Business, Marketing from Miami University.
