Target's Gigi Guerra named one of Ad Age's "Women to Watch"

Perusing the AdAge list of 2013's Women to Watch, one name stood out to me: Gigi Guerra.  But not because she’s now at Target.  Magazine fans out there (like me) will recognize her name from titles like the now defunct Jane and the fashion pages of Lucky.

Ms. Guerra’s first staff job was actually assisting future celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe in the fashion closet of YM. She went on to become a senior editor at Jane, as well as the executive editor of Lucky under founding editor Kim France, where she led the reporting and scouting for the mag’s famous city shopping guides. “She is a visionary who doesn't just spot trends - she makes them up and makes them happen,” says former boss Jane Pratt, who now runs XOJane.com.

In 2008, Guerra was plucked from Condé Nast by Mickey Drexler, who hired her as the marketing director of fashion retailer Madewell. “Editorial to marketing is not a typical shift - I credit Madewell with letting me jump into it and learn as I went,” Ms. Guerra says of her time working under Mr. Drexler.

Five years and a VP title later, Ms. Guerra left to join Target as design partnerships curator. The new role requires the exec to travel the country - and often the entire world - searching for new designers, stores and brands for The Bulleye’s steady stream of collaborations. For someone whose greatest gift is knowing what’s new and next, Target is a dream gig. “It’s a great progression and combines a lot of what I’ve done in the past,” she said.