After spending almost four decades as an executive at Fortune 50 retail companies, including Wal-Mart and Target, Vanessa Castagna now uses her impact and experience as an Advisor for MyNextSeason. Before joining MyNextSeason, Vanessa served as Chairwoman of Mervyn’s Department Stores and as CEO and Chairwoman of JCPenney Stores, Catalogue, and Internet. In her six years at JCPenney, she controlled more than $20 billion in revenue and was instrumental in leading the company turnaround. Vanessa also held senior-level merchandising positions with Wal-Mart and Target. For four consecutive years, she was named in Fortune magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business.”

Vanessa has served on numerous boards, including as an independent director for Levi Strauss and Company and Carter’s/Oshkosh. She additionally sat on the Board of Directors for Speed FC, the National Minority Supplier Development Council, and the Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. Vanessa is highly involved in her alma mater, Purdue University, where she received her degree in Psychology and Speech Communication. She is a member of the Board of Trustees, Chairs the Audit and Enterprise Risk Committee, and is a member of the Board’s Executive Committee.

Passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others, Vanessa was essential in the development and transformation of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s “Afterschool” Program into a national resource for families. She has volunteered with Children’s Miracle Network, the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, the United Way, and the American Red Cross. Vanessa lives in Naples, Florida.