Lauren Tessaro joined JCPenney in August 2019 as vice president, divisional merchandise manager of intimate apparel, sleep, lounge, active and swim, reporting to Michelle Wlazlo, executive vice president, chief merchandising and supply chain officer.. Tessaro is charged with managing all buying activities within these categories to ensure the assortment is aligned with Company strategy and to promote brand loyalty and excitement among customers. Tessaro was promoted to senior vice president general merchandise manager in March of 2021, adding all adult active and team sports to her responsibilities.

Tessaro brings more than 25 years of experience in fashion merchandising, product development, inventory management and financial planning to the Company. She most recently served as vice president of merchandising for intimate apparel and swimwear at FULLBEAUTY Brands™, where she developed merchandise, marketing and pricing strategies for multiple plus-size women’s brands in print and digital channels. Before FULLBEAUTY, she was vice president of merchandising and production development at Cupid Foundations Inc. and spent six years at Lane Bryant in various leadership roles. At Lane Bryant, Tessaro served as vice president, divisional merchandise manager of intimate apparel and senior vice president, general merchandise manager of merchandising, design and technical design, where she led strategic initiatives in bra innovation, swimwear and plus-size intimate apparel. Before joining Lane Bryant in 2009, Tessaro spent 10 years at Macy’s Inc. in merchandise buying and planning roles. At Macy’s, she ultimately served as vice president, divisional merchandise manager of intimate apparel in the Florida region.

Tessaro holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising from Florida State University.