Nancy Youssef is involved in the fashion industry in almost every way imaginable and uses her marketing degree and international diploma in fashion design to improve the lives of countless people. She came to Nashville a little more than 10 years ago to work for Genesco as head of international business development, where she expanded operations for the retailer’s brands outside the U.S. During that time, she served on the board of Soles4Souls, including as its chair, before joining full time as chief business development officer of the locally based global nonprofit that turns unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity through its microenterprise, disaster relief and direct assistance programs.
Nancy is also founder and president of Curves With Purpose, an e-commerce marketplace offering quality clothing for all women, which she describes as “a cross between Anthropologie and Nordstrom — fashionable and elevated.” The company donates products, proceeds and time to Soles4Souls. Additionally, she is an adjunct instructor in fashion entrepreneurship and retail management at Belmont University’s O’More College, and some students have gone on to turn their class projects into real-life businesses. She sees her three careers as intertwined, each supporting the other.
A self-described “global wanderer,” Nancy has lived in six countries and speaks five languages, so it’s no surprise that she's looking forward to traveling again. When she’s not working at one of her professions or serving on nonprofit and city advisory boards, she can be found at home with her husband, two sons, two cats and a dog. Fortunately, Nancy carved time out of her busy schedule to tell us a bit about her work and then some.
THE BASICS
Name: Nancy Youssef
Profession/Title: Chief Business Development Officer, Soles4Souls
Hometown: Livingston, New Jersey (born). I claim Philly!
Zip Code: 37212
Years in Nashville: 12
Number of local partnerships: 70+
Number global partnerships: 1,200
What’s the most important thing you want people to know about Soles4Souls? Soles4Souls is an incredible organization that touches the lives of people in our neighborhoods, our communities, our nation and globally. Most people don’t realize that so many children can’t get to school because they don’t have a decent pair of shoes. They cannot participate in school activities or even get jobs because they don’t have access to shoes.
What difference does Soles4Souls make in the Nashville community? Nashville is [the] hometown for Soles4Souls. We are actively engaged with more than 70 nonprofits and organizations in town to provide shoes and clothing to those in need. We are a responder in times of disaster relief, and we are in so many schools putting shoes on the feet of kids who otherwise wouldn’t have access.
When did you realize people needed a store like Curves With Purpose? Curves With Purpose was born out of a need for self-expression in a market segment that was insanely underserved. Women of all sizes should have the option to wear anything they want and have it readily available. Curves With Purpose was born while I was in fashion design school at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy (circa 2000).
What do you teach at O’More, and what is satisfying about it? Teaching at O’More is such a privilege. I am fortunate enough to teach fashion entrepreneurship and retail management [to] fashion merchandising and fashion design students. O’More allows me the chance to pay forward what people have taught me and, more importantly, [to] learn from so many energetic, brilliant minds.
Besides Soles4Souls, what other nonprofits are you involved in, and why are they important to you? Nashville has been such a gift, in terms of the nonprofit community. There are so many incredible causes. I currently serve on the board of Siloam Health, a nonprofit focused on transforming the whole body of those in need through health care. Siloam’s predominantly serves the uninsured and the immigrant and refugee community, a population near to my heart as the daughter of immigrants. I spent many years serving Sister Cities of Nashville, an organization that promotes cultural exchange and diversity. This organization serves to open our minds and hearts to cross-cultural initiatives. I have been an active member and director for Kappa Alpha Theta, the first Greek letter fraternity for women, the organization that allowed me to first learn about social impact and where I met my best friends. I am fortunate enough to be involved with the International Business Council of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the mayor’s advisory council for new immigrants and for women- and minority-owned businesses. Nashville’s nonprofit and community organizations are abundant and a fundamental part of my life.
When you can safely travel again, where’s the first place you want to go? So many places. I am a wanderer. Israel/Holy Land and Galapagos (before we can’t go any more!) are two places that were on my itinerary pre-COVID.
When you have out-of-town guests visiting, where do you take them? We are low-key now. We do the honorary tribute (once) honky-tonking, and then, we usually explore the culinary scene and beautiful hikes or walks across the city.
What’s one thing you want to cross off your bucket list? Short term, I really want to write a book. It has been on my list for many years. Longer term: attend and participate in the World Economic Forum’s annual Davos Agenda.
What’s your favorite locally made product? The Nashville Blanket project. I love the purpose behind it and the work they do.
For some peace and quiet, where do you go? Radnor Lake. It is serene, my cell service doesn’t work well there, and I love losing myself looking at the water.
What’s been your most frequent meal during the pandemic? So many meals! We have suddenly decided to create multi-course meals on a daily basis; yes, [the] quarantine 15 is real! We eat quite a bit of Indian takeout.
What local event have you missed most? Music, for sure. Just getting out and listening to anything anywhere.
What’s your all-time favorite movie? I am so cheesy (no offense, Reese). Sweet Home Alabama. Really, any rom-com.
What was your first job? At age 10, I started babysitting, and I haven’t stopped working since.
What’s the best advice you ever received? As a mother, wife and career-focused woman, you will not be able to do it all 100 percent each day. Pick one a day, and make that your focus.
What’s the most interesting thing you learned about Nashville after moving here? How dynamic it really is. There is so much subculture; you can find an activity or organization for any interest. And if it doesn’t exist, you can start it.
What’s the one thing you hope never changes in Nashville? I genuinely hope Nashville never loses its welcoming vibe. It is the most warm and friendly city I’ve lived in, and I’ve moved a lot!
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