Name: Molly Heffernan

Title: Manager, Digital & Marketing

Organization: Tory Burch Foundation

What do you do, and how did you get here?

I manage digital and marketing for designer Tory Burch’s nonprofit, The Tory Burch Foundation– dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship. The Foundation is leveling the playing field for women by providing access to capital, education and digital resources needed to embrace ambition. One of the many hats I wear is to create content for our website – the ultimate digital destination for women! I’ve had the privilege to interview icons like equal pay activist Lilly Ledbetter, author Margaret Atwood, the co-founders of SoulCycle, and many more!

This month I am so excited to be bringing the Tory Burch Foundation’s mission to life at our Meatpacking District based pop-up shop. Throughout the month, 20% of all net proceeds from purchases at the shop benefit our mission to empower women.

Tory Burch is an international brand. Why Meatpacking? 

The Meatpacking District is the perfect mix of gritty old New York and today’s tastemakers. I love seeing the vibrancy of fashion, art at The Whitney and new restaurants juxtaposed among the city’s old butcheries. The neighborhood has incredible energy because it uniquely adapts to changing decades in a way that no other neighborhood has been able to.

Year-round our Tory Burch Meatpacking store is a rotating concept space where people can explore the many aspects of Tory’s world. For the holidays, the Foundation team worked in collaboration with our partners at the brand to create a space that could be a living story of our mission to empower women. All November at our pop-up shop visitors can participate in special events, snap a picture in our #EmbraceAmbition photobooth and more!

How has being involved with the Foundation and the pop-up shaped or informed your perspective on what’s happening in our world today?

Working in the women’s empowerment space I am constantly talking about what is happening in our world today—which honestly sometimes feels bleak…

What has been so incredible about the pop-up is the positivity, excitement and energy that people have when they hear about our mission to empower women. It connects on a personal level with so many people and reminds me that when we work together incredible change can happen!

What are you most optimistic about? 

I’ve never seen people—especially young people—so mobilized. With today’s tech, people are able to engage in important conversations across continents, educating and empowering each other. I think that as a result of this, young people today are very driven—they want to make a change and are willing to take action to do so. This energy of uniting for the greater good provides me with hope for the future.

If you had 15 minutes, how will you spend it in the neighborhood?

Where to start? 15 minutes is never enough time for what the neighborhood has to offer! But, if I had to choose, I’d stop by Think for a latte and then walk to the High Line, find the perfect bench and catch up on good book. With the changing leaves and cooler weather, this time of year is my favorite!

Where would you recommend for a great cocktail or bite?

Brunch at Bubby’s never fails me. I get the cobb salad every time. But, when I want to treat myself, the “Hit Me” chocolate cake at Catch is the best! It is so fun to order with friends or a date.

Visit the Tory Burch Foundation Pop-Up happening now through November 27.