Click here to read more Cougar Corner profiles KAREN KATZ COUGAR CEO Imagine working with world famous designers like Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio Armani and Valentino, or up-and-coming fashion creators like Zac Posen (a young clothing designer from New York). Or being responsible for the success of one of America's premier luxury retail stores - like Neiman Marcus? That job belongs to Karen Katz (1982), a graduate of the C.T. Bauer College of Business' MBA program. She is President and CEO of Neiman Marcus Stores, a division of The Neiman Marcus Group. The stores account for 80 percent of the corpo- ration's revenues of more than $3.5 billion. Katz is in charge of 35 stores in the most affluent markets in the United States. She oversees it all: strategic direction, merchandising, operations, creative services and expansion. So, how did this Cougar get to the top of the high dollar, luxury retail world? It was a standard formula - hard work, patience, persistence and being flexible to change. “I think if you are driven, you can be successful,” Katz said, speaking from her Dallas office. “I'm not sure if I recognized this when I was younger, but I do think I've been driven a lot longer than I was aware of. As I reflect back, I realize that I received my undergraduate degree in political science in three years. Like many students at the University of Houston, I worked during the day and went to school at night to get my MBA.” Katz worked at Foley's in Houston as a department manager and later became a buyer. She spent seven years at Foley's and joined Neiman Marcus as a merchandise manager. She believes her experience at UH was invaluable in many ways. “You don't necessarily need an MBA for retailing, however it did give me a global education in terms of finance, economics and statistics, a solid business foundation,” she said. “I also appreciate the exposure to all of my classmates who were electrical and chemical engineers, during the time of the oil boom. Being able to interact with them gave me perspective. My study groups were very important.” Katz is the first woman CEO of Neiman Marcus Stores. ( more )