Kate Rubin

I build and scale fine businesses by pairing industry expertise with disciplined merchandising, sales strategy, and operations. Experience spans founder-led brands and global luxury, with a consistent focus on driving revenue, client loyalty, and bringing thoughtful jewelry to market.

FOUNDER at CASE LINE (2021 – Present)

Boutique consultancy supporting fine jewelry brands with retail expansion, merchandising, brand marketing, and sales operations. Selected projects include:

• Led the launch of Monica Rich Kosann's first store outside New York City, owning market entry strategy, business development, staffing, training, and operations. Built a client base of 700+ customers and achieved a 30% repeat purchase rate within the first year.
• Conceived and launched a fine jewelry shop-in-shop within an established multi-brand clothing retailer, introducing a curated roster of best-in-class jewelry brands to a new market. Led brand selection, merchandising, visual presentation, and in-store storytelling, creating a new six-figure annual revenue stream and expanding the retailer's positioning into fine jewelry.
• Partnered directly with the founder and designer of a contemporary fine jewelry brand on marketing initiatives for a bridal jewelry relaunch. Developed merchandising frameworks, assortment planning tools, and internal dashboards to inform future product development.
• Conducted an end-to-end assessment of assortment, pricing, and market positioning for a Mumbai-based high jewelry brand. Delivered recommendations on merchandising strategy, brand marketing direction, and pricing architecture aligned with target customers and industry benchmarks.

SENIOR ANALYST, Global Category Management at TIFFANY & CO. (2019-09 – 2021-05)

• Safeguarded 90% of category sales during the pandemic by running lifecycle planning and pricing reviews that kept revenue stable despite major retail disruptions.
• Supported 90% YoY e-commerce growth in Love & Engagement by shifting assortment strategies to match digital demand.
• Rolled out provenance reporting across most diamond engagement ring SKUs, meeting growing consumer expectations for transparency.
• Presented department-level repricing analysis directly to the CEO, shaping company-wide decisions during periods of cost volatility.
• Defined global assortment strategy for wedding and diamond bands, aligning the product mix with both retail performance data and market trends.

SALES DIRECTOR at ANNA SHEFFIELD FINE & COMMITMENT JEWELRY (2016-11 – 2019-05)

• Worked closely with the Founder and CEO to shape retail strategy during a high-growth period, including a new flagship in New York and the brand's first Los Angeles retail location.
• Led e-commerce and client services in a business where 60–70% of orders were custom, requiring extensive cross-functional coordination.
• Directed merchandising, assortment planning, and pricing decisions that supported double-digit revenue growth.
• Scaled a bi-coastal sales team from four to eight, implementing SOPs, training, and professional development that improved performance and consistency.
• Boosted margins and sell-through by using competitive analysis and sales reviews to refine assortment and pricing.
• Collaborated with communications, marketing, and product development teams to launch new collections and DTC campaigns, expanding visibility and client engagement.
• Expanded wholesale reach and deepened retail partnerships through nationwide trunk shows with key stockists.

MANAGING DIRECTOR at ERSTWHILE (2015-06 – 2016-10)

• Operated as a one-person leader of sales, merchandising, and operations, building systems and processes to support rapid growth.
• Achieved triple-digit revenue growth by sourcing vintage engagement rings and stones, expanding wholesale and e-commerce, and cultivating a global client base.
• Worked directly with clients worldwide, translating insights into assortment strategy, design, and category innovation that strengthened brand identity and increased revenue.
• Built and implemented a custom inventory and production management system, streamlining workflow, improving accuracy, and ensuring timely delivery.
• Managed financial operations and a revolving inventory of 250+ SKUs across retail and e-commerce.

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE at THE ASIA FOUNDATION (2010-02 – 2011-03)

• Collaborated with executive and field leadership to secure funding for development initiatives across 18 countries in Asia.

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER at FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY (2008-07 – 2010-02)

• Cultivated private-sector partnerships to secure over $1.5M annually in financial and in-kind donations for New York City's largest hunger relief organization.

Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Urban and Social Policy – COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (2012-01 – 2015-12)

Master of Social Work (MSW) in Advanced Clinical Practice – COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (2012-01 – 2015-12)

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Relations – BOSTON UNIVERSITY (2002-01 – 2006-12)