Carly-Ann Fergus

Background

About Carly-Ann Fergus

I am a cross-sector ecosystem and community builder with nearly a decade of experience designing and leading people development programs, partnerships, and platforms that support creatives and entrepreneurs. With a proven ability to see how systems connect and where new opportunities lie, I specialize in bringing ideas to life by aligning strategy, resources, and diverse stakeholders across creative, academic, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. My work resides at the intersection of talent development and innovation, focusing on building environments where people and ideas can thrive. I’m especially drawn to roles that allow me to build from the ground up, creating initiatives that nurture people, unlock potential, and center authenticity and well-being as drivers of performance and purpose. In my current role as the Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship Fund Initiatives Manager at the Fashion Scholarship Fund, I support the Head of Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship Fund & Equity Initiatives in developing and implementing programs and initiatives that support a network of 160 young creative professionals. In my role as the Director of Labs at XRC Ventures (a leading New York-based retail tech accelerator). I managed and helped to expand the lab's program ecosystem, which included a portfolio of 60 startups, retail leaders, and investors. In my role as the Associate Director of Product Management at Parsons School of Design's Entrepreneur Academy. There, I developed strategies and created programs and partnerships that helped grow an engaged community of creative professionals. I served as a member of the associate board of directors for the Opportunity Network, a nonprofit organization that fosters networks and opportunities for students from historically underrepresented communities. I also served as chair of the inaugural New School Alumni Council. I hold an M.A. in Fashion Studies from Parsons School of Design and a B.A. in Visual Communications from SUNY Farmingdale. I've been featured on Forbes.com and served as a speaker at the MIT Media Lab Hacking Arts Conference, the CFDA Education Summit, and the NYU Black in Tech Panel.