# Natalia Shorten

> INTEGRITY-TRUST-VISION-HUMOR / Design Leader, Creative Operations, Architecture & Engineering, Retail Environment + Fixture Design, Innovation, Cross Functional Team Leadership, Design Strategy, Change Management

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/nataliashorten

I am a highly accomplished Senior Director in the field of Retail Design & Architecture, well known for my innovative design solutions and ease in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships.  With extensive experience, I’ve consistently led strategic initiatives in store design, concept development, and project management for globally recognized brands. Excelling in implementing solutions that align with industry trends, driving strategic growth, and enhancing brand consistency across global portfolios has been a standard for me.  My expertise and influence in cross-functional collaboration, project leadership, and sustainability practices have been instrumental in achieving outstanding business results and leading high functioning teams.

## Work Experience
### Creator/Owner/Operator @ WOW MOM Provisions
Jan 2023 – Present | San Francisco Bay Area
WOW MOM is a versatile mexican sauce with a complex flavor profile.  It was born out of wanting a more flavorful enchilada sauce but quickly became a sauce we used on everything just like hot sauce - tacos, burritos, eggs, chicken, steak, vegetables - anything and everything!  Direct message me if you are interested in selling and/or distribution.  **Trademark/Patent Pending**

### Sr. Director, Store Design & Concept @ SEPHORA
Jan 2020 – Jan 2023 | San Francisco, California, United States
●	Took on additional role leading Store Concept team of 2, directing team and vendors on design solutions and leading design reviews/approvals with C-Suite for appx 20 new fixture designs + new store environment concept in less than 6 months.
●	Spearheaded a $3.5M lighting initiative and gained LVMH approval on the program by analyzing data from the full fleet, strategizing design and execution logic, gathering store feedback, and tight cross functional partnership.  We successfully implemented improved lighting for accurate makeup color representation and better overall store environment across 300+ Sephora stores in 3 years, resulting in a +2% sales increase.  
●	Mitigated COVID-19 disruptions by orchestrating Sephora's Permitting Strategy & Construction Scheduling, pushing +90% of 50 projects into 2021 through data consolidation, jurisdiction negotiation, and strategic rescheduling to minimize financial implications and sustained forward progress. 
●	Led planning and design collaboration for 900 Sephora at Kohl's locations, overseeing layout, storefront, fixture, and signage creation for 850 standard stores and 50 small footprint concepts. Achieved a +20% sales increase and positioned the brand for a $2B+ beauty business at Kohl’s by 2025. 
●	Led new small footprint concept in partnership with leadership to meet real estate business strategy for high density urban areas with high rent, optimizing smaller spaces to meet all operational and business functions.

### Director, Store Design @ SEPHORA
Jan 2018 – Jan 2020 | San Francisco, California, United States
●	Increased roles and responsibilities to solely oversee full store design department (team of 15) and all project types.  Took on management and oversight of all consultants including but not limited to architects, engineers, surveyors, permit expediting, photographers, etc.  
●	Gained responsibility for financial oversight of all consultant fees, budgets, cost approvals as well as full Store Design department budget forecasting and management, including software, computers, devices for the team.
●	Wrote new MSAs and developed fee schedules for all consultants to create consistency in SOW and cost, reducing confusion in deliverable expectations and eliminated individual project proposals with varying fees.
●	Implemented a comprehensive AutoCAD optimization strategy across 700 plans and going forward that resulted in more accurate information, clarified team responsibilities, reduced workload, enhanced efficiency, and improved workflow between store design and merchandising teams.
●	Revamping Sephora's consultant and vendor operations, along with internal process, procedures, and workflow improvements, enabled store design workload to increase by ~300% without increased headcount.

### Director, Remodels & Retrofits @ SEPHORA
Jan 2017 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco, California
●	Built Sephora’s first remodel program & strategy from ground up to achieve company goal of 20-30 stores per year, $35M budget.
●	Hired, trained, and led a team of 6 designers dedicated to remodel program.
●	Optimized Sephora's Store Development & Store Design organization by consolidating design functions, breaking down silos, eliminating redundant work, and streamlining workflow across teams.
●	Introduced new standard operating procedures and new timelines that resulted in reduction of project schedules by approximately 8 weeks, accelerating store openings for faster revenue generation.
●	Improved Retrofit and Enhancement projects by permitting and documenting work, adjusting schedule logic and file organization to match more similarly other project types + surveying to improve construction and drawing accuracy.

### Sr. Manager, Architecture & Engineering @ Gap Inc.
Jan 2016 – Jan 2017 | San Francisco, California
●	Led cross-functional internal and external teams through design, architecture, engineering, and construction, ensuring seamless coordination and collaboration to deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget.
●	Helped develop and organize merger between brand store design teams and Gap Inc architecture and engineering teams.  Defined roles, responsibilities, process and procedure through the transition of the new organization.
●	Project management of Old Navy stores from design through completion, as well as additional responsibilities of managing consultant contracts and fee negotiations.

### Sr. Manager, Store Design @ Old Navy
Jan 2011 – Jan 2016 | San Francisco, California, United States
●	Project managed the first test store for Old Navy's 3rd design concept during my tenure. 
●	Developed design and organizational standards + extensive R&D for several different lighting, flooring, signage, and storefront design applications.  
●	Continued sustainability development in partnership with other leaders across various Gap Inc. branches through the "Sustainable Buildings and Operations Board."  
●	Took on additional leadership and people management to run remodel program within Store Design.  
●	Store Design liason with Real Estate for annual marketing planning sessions with real estate partners and field leadership.

### Store Design Manager @ Old Navy
Jan 2008 – Jan 2011 | San Francisco, California, United States
●	Spearheaded susatinability efforts across Gap Inc, including but not limited to LEED Silver Certified Old Navy South Hulen, the first in Gap Inc fleet.
●	Launched a construction waste recycling program across Gap Inc.'s sites, diverting about 10 tons of recycling from landfills in the first year by implementing new processes with waste management partners

### Store Designer @ Old Navy
Jan 2006 – Jan 2008 | San Francisco, California, United States
●	Managed R&D for several in-store elements within 2 Old Navy design concepts, as well as roll out for over 200 new and existing projects.

### Designer @ BCV Architecture + Interiors
Jan 2004 – Jan 2006 | San Francisco, California, United States
●	Perry's SFO
●	Crush 29 Restauran
●	Press Club SF
●	Piatti's Ristorante
●	Niko Sports Club
●	Il Fornaio Italian Restaurants
●	Residential

### Designer @ Klover Architects, Inc.
Jan 2003 – Jan 2004 | Kansas City Metropolitan Area
●	Applebee's Nationwide Rollout & Concept
●	Qdoba Mexican Grill
●	White Chocolate Grill


## Education
### Bachelor of Architecture in School of Architecture and Urban Design
The University of Kansas

### High School Diploma
Neodesha High School


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/natalia-shorten
- Portfolio: https://natalia-shorten.com/

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Source: https://flows.cv/nataliashorten
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/nataliashorten/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-13