Jennifer Hyman
Born 1980 · Age 45
American entrepreneur; co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, a fashion rental company that built subscription and multi-channel retail business models and took the company public.
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Life & Career Timeline
Graduated New Rochelle High School (approx.)
Completed secondary education in New Rochelle, NY (attended New Rochelle High School). Exact graduation year estimated from birth year and college matriculation.
BA from Harvard University
Received BA in social studies from Harvard University (cum laude noted by some profiles).
Ran online ad sales team at WeddingChannel.com
Led an online advertising sales team at WeddingChannel.com (role listed in career history).
Worked at IMG (2006–2007)
Career history lists IMG tenure 2006–2007; responsible for new media initiatives in fashion division.
Director of business development at IMG
Joined IMG's fashion division as director of business development, focusing on creation of new media businesses.
Enrolled at Harvard Business School
Attended Harvard Business School (met future co‑founder Jennifer Fleiss while earning MBA).
Idea sparks for Rent the Runway
In November 2008 Hyman conceived the idea for Rent the Runway after watching her sister spend heavily on a single-use dress.
Co-founded Rent the Runway
Formally co‑founded Rent the Runway with Jennifer Fleiss (company focused on renting high-end clothing and accessories).
MBA from Harvard Business School
Graduated Harvard Business School with an MBA; met co‑founder Jennifer Fleiss during MBA studies.
Held Harvard pop-up test for Rent the Runway
Co‑founders ran a pop-up at Harvard (April 2009) to test rentals with classmates—a successful early experiment referenced in multiple accounts.
Rent the Runway website launched
Company opened to the public with a website launch (widely reported date November 10, 2009).
Early brand outreach to designers
Within months co‑founders cold‑emailed designers (e.g., Diane von Furstenberg) to secure inventory and advice.
Inventory milestone: 15,000 dresses from 120 designers
By 2011 Rent the Runway carried more than 15,000 dresses from about 120 designers.
Fortune 40 Under 40
Named to Fortune magazine's '40 Under 40' list.
Featured at 99U / Creative business conferences
Participated in the 99U conference (panel 'Why Transparency & Openness Wins') and other creative/tech forums.
Starwood 'in-house entrepreneur' work recognized on Oprah (earlier)
Earlier in her career Hyman created Starwood's first wedding business; that innovation was highlighted on Oprah (date of segment in press bios).
Recognized by industry publications
By mid-2010s Hyman and Rent the Runway gained consistent recognition in business/fashion press (BoF, WWD, Fast Company, Fortune).
Spoke at NRF Foundation 'Retail's Big Show' (student program)
Participated in NRF Foundation Retail's Big Show student program and other industry panels.
Panelist, WWD Digital Forum
Spoke at WWD's Digital Forum on fashion/technology topics.
Opened first brick-and-mortar store (NYC)
Launched Rent the Runway's first physical retail location in New York City (October 2014), later expanding to multiple stores.
Rent the Runway Foundation (reported)
Reported founding (by press/profile sources) of Rent the Runway Foundation to support female entrepreneurs (date often cited as 2015).
Public reports of management turnover
Press reported an 'exodus' of senior employees and cultural issues at Rent the Runway; multiple C-suite departures over ~10 months.
Projected revenue milestone from subscription launch
Following the 2016 subscription product launch, company guidance placed expected revenue for the year near $121M (reported projection in press coverage).
Reached 100,000+ pieces; launched subscription service
By 2016 the company reported 100,000+ pieces (clothing, jewelry, accessories) from ~100 designers and launched a monthly subscription product.
Co‑founder Jennifer Fleiss departs (holds 1% stake)
Jennifer Fleiss left Rent the Runway in 2017, reportedly retaining ~1% ownership; Hyman continued as CEO.
Frequent speaker and media appearances
Regular lecturer and speaker at universities and conferences; appearances include 99U conference and NPR's 'How I Built This' (episodes and dates vary).
Publicly discussed sexual harassment on CNBC
Spoke publicly about experiencing sexual harassment in tech during a CNBC 'Squawk Alley' segment (July 2017).
Married Benjamin Stauffer
Married Benjamin Stauffer, TV and film editor; the couple had met via the dating app Hinge.
Birth of daughter Aurora (reported)
Welcomed daughter Aurora (reported in profiles/press during 2018).
Named to multiple industry lists and awards (aggregate)
Honors include: TIME 100 (2019), Fortune 40 Under 40 (2012), Forbes 'Most Disruptive', Fast Company 'Most Creative', Tribeca 'Disruptive Innovation', CNBC Disruptor list, among others (dates vary by honor).
Company scale: reported users and revenues (2019)
Reports indicate Rent the Runway had ~133,572 active subscribers and ~$256.9M revenue in 2019 (figures cited in press summaries).
Raised $125M round; reached $1B valuation (unicorn)
In 2019 Rent the Runway raised a $125 million financing (investors including Franklin Templeton, Bain Capital, T. Rowe Price) and was valued at ~$1 billion.
Named founding member, NYSE Board Advisory Council (reported)
Reported as a Founding Member of the NYSE Board Advisory Council, advocating increased board diversity.
TIME 100 Most Influential People
Named to Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People' list (2019).
Major workforce reductions and restructuring
In 2020 Rent the Runway cut about one third of staff, furloughed ~37% of employees, and implemented temporary pay cuts to survive pandemic downturn (company statements/press reported actions).
Raised emergency capital (reported)
Company secured additional capital/investments during 2020 to weather pandemic (reports reference small rounds and rescue investments; specifics vary by source).
2020 revenue and subscriber decline
Fiscal 2020 revenue reported at ~$157.5M (down from 2019) and active subscribers declined to ~54,797 amid pandemic closures.
Valuation drop & pandemic distress
COVID-19 severely impacted business; reported valuation reductions (April 2020 reported valuations around $750–800M in different reports), major layoffs/furloughs and salary cuts to survive the downturn.
Sale of 17M shares in IPO (offering detail)
Company marketed ~15M shares but sold 17M shares at $21 per share in IPO registration/roadshow; opened trading at $23 per share.
Noted as one of first female-led public company teams
Reported as part of the first public company with a female founder/CEO, COO and CFO; Hyman was recognized for taking Rent the Runway public.
Company recovery metrics (2021)
By mid‑2021 Rent the Runway reported a significant recovery in subscribers (including paused accounts) and revenue: subscribers up to ~143,464 and revenue rising (period Apr 30–Jul 31, 2021 revenue +39.4%).
Gwyneth Paltrow joins Rent the Runway board
Gwyneth Paltrow was reported to have joined Rent the Runway's board in May 2021.
Hyman's ownership stake noted at IPO (~5.1%)
Press reported Jennifer Hyman held ~5.1% of Rent the Runway at IPO; stake worth approx. $48.9M given the reported $1.7B valuation.
Rent the Runway IPO — company goes public
Rent the Runway began trading publicly (marketed 15M shares but sold 17M at $21; opening trading price reported at $23). IPO valuation reported at ~$1.7B.
Serves on Estée Lauder Companies Board of Directors
Reported as a member of the Board of Directors of The Estée Lauder Companies (profile references board role; date of appointment reported earlier than 2019 in some sources).
Company scale cited: >11 million members; $1B valuation context
Profiles cite Rent the Runway having raised >$525M and grown to over 11 million members and previously reaching $1B valuation; offerings expanded to 600+ labels.
Public commentary & continued leadership
Hyman continued to serve as CEO, publicly addressing operational challenges (inventory snafus reported) and steering post‑IPO strategy (dates of comments vary in press through 2022–2023).
Net worth estimate reported in some outlets (~$300M)
Online profiles (aggregators) list an estimated net worth for Hyman as high as ~$300M (estimate varies widely and is not corroborated by mainstream wealth trackers).
Key Achievement Ages
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