Helene Fortunoff
Helene Fortunoff (March 2, 1933 – November 8, 2021) was an American businessperson who headed Fortunoff.[1][2]
Life and career
Helene Fortunoff was born as Helene Finke in
Fortunoff started out at Syracuse University, but after two years she switched to NYU's School of Commerce (which has been renamed as New York University Stern School of Business).[3] In 1953, she earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with highest honors.[3]
In 1953, Fortunoff began her career by joining the family retail operation, Fortunoff, run by her husband, Alan Fortunoff's family in Brooklyn.[3] Four years later, in 1957, she recommended expanding the company into the jewelry industry and led the charge.[3] Under her leadership, Fortunoff became one of the largest retailer in the state.[3][7]
In 2000, Fortunoff became the president of Fortunoff Fine Jewelry & Silverware after the death of her husband.[3]
In 2005, when the Fortunoff family had sold off most of the company to outside investors, Fortunoff decided to retire.[3]
Awards
References
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ^ Sidell, Misty White (2021-11-11). "Obituary: New York Jewelry Matriarch Helene Fortunoff, 88". WWD. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ^ Graff, Michelle (2021-11-09). "Helene Fortunoff, a True Leader in the Industry, Dies at 88". nationaljeweler.com. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- ^ Hanau, Shira (2021-11-16). "Helene Fortunoff, Jewish pioneer of a US jewelry empire, dies at 88". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
- Newspapers.com. "Miss Finke is a graduate of Fair Lawn High School and is now attending New York University, School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance."
- ^ Hagerty, James R. (2021-11-17). "Helene Fortunoff Circled the Globe in Search of Jewelry". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-01-25.