Jennifer Peterson

Jennifer Peterson is a 25-year veteran of the Retail Industry. Her 16-year career at L. Brands included stints at Lane Bryant, the plus-size women’s apparel retailer, which she helped re-position to become a fashion brand, as well as Victoria’s Secret, where she was an integral part of the team responsible for launching PINK, the ‘sister’ business targeted to college-aged girls. As Vice President, Brand and General Manager for C.O. Bigelow Shops, she delivered turnaround results for this iconic apothecary brand, including 11 quarters of double-digit growth.

Before joining Easton, she served as the Vice President, Product & Marketing for Jewell, LLC, a fashion handbag & accessories start-up in the social selling arena, where she led executive functions across product design, sourcing, branding, marketing and communications. Jewell hit $5M in revenue and quickly developed a loyal following in year 1,as well as attracting 1,500 professional working women to its Representative ranks.

In her Chief Executive role at Easton, she led the 100+ person team and all aspects of the $1B asset, which ranks among the top 30 highest-performing retail centers in the country. She created the conditions which allowed the experiential environment to enhance the customer journey, drive tenant sales and position Easton for continued growth. She built an emotional connection between Easton and its guests, delivering compelling, engaging and memorable experiences. Under her leadership, Easton was named the #1 Experience Center in America three times (2019, 2021, 2022).

As the Community Engagement Chief for Edwards Companies, Jen is helping to grow brand affinity, create engaging experiences and activations, along with building a strong community connection through strategic communications, storytelling, creative collaboration, events and meaningful placemaking strategies. While her focus is Downtown Columbus, the impact of the work she’s involved with has positive implications for both the central Ohio Region, as well as the State.

A University of Michigan graduate, Jen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and remains connected to the Ann Abor campus and its Alumni Association. She is on the boards of ALVIS, Inc., Leadership Columbus, where she serves as the Immediate Past Chair, and the Women of Color Retail Alliance (WOCRA), leading Marketing & Communications. She was distinguished as a YWCA Columbus Woman of Achievement award recipient in 2021, and as a Women WELDing the Way calendar honoree in 2020 by the Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD). She is also a Columbus Business First C-Suite Most Admired Executive Awardee.

Jen has been married to her husband Chris for 25 years and they have three children, Isabelle (23), Millie (21) and Harry (19).