By: SJ Tannenbaum
The Sy Syms School of Business hosted an engaging fireside chat last month featuring Marcy Syms, president of the Sy Syms Foundation and member of the School’s Board of Overseers. The event brought together students, faculty, alumni and others from the university for an in-depth discussion on leadership, ethics, and the legacy of the SYMS retail clothing brand founded by her father, Mr. Sy Syms A"H.
The conversation, moderated by Michael Berkowitz ’10SB, founder of the luxury outerwear brand Norwegian Wool, highlighted Ms. Syms’ decades of experience as a business leader and her recently published book, Leading with Respect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer. The book explores how she and her father built SYMS into one of the nation’s leading off-price retailers and reflects on the values that guided their success.
Throughout the discussion, Ms. Syms emphasized the principles of respect, integrity, and education that defined her father’s business philosophy and philanthropic legacy.
Mr. Berkowitz, whose own company has been featured in Bloomberg, CNBC, and HBO’s Succession, engaged Ms. Syms in a conversation that spanned topics including entrepreneurship, innovation in retail, and adapting to changing consumer trends. Both speakers shared insights on building sustainable businesses rooted in ethical leadership—an approach that mirrors the mission of the Sy Syms School of Business to develop values-driven leaders for a global marketplace.
The event concluded with a student Q&A session followed by opportunities for students to speak with Ms. Syms 1-on-1, where she encouraged attendees to approach their careers with curiosity and integrity.
The fireside chat served as both a tribute to the Syms family legacy and an inspiring reminder of the enduring relevance of ethical leadership and dedication to customer experience in today’s business world.
Marcy Syms’ book, Leading with Respect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer, is available for free to Sy Syms students and faculty. Copies can be picked up at the Wilf Campus in Belfer Hall outside office 418 and at the Beren Campus at 215 Lexington Ave outside office 316.
View the event and stay tuned for sound-bites and additional highlights by visiting the Sy Syms School of Business website www.yu.edu/syms and social media channels .
Photos by Sari Goodfriend
