Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds, known industry wide as "The Dean of Fashion™," has spent over two decades helping brands, institutions, and organizations grow the same way people do: intentionally, and one relationship at a time.

That philosophy started early, in a career in special education, and it's shaped everything he's built since across fashion, business, and higher ed, in boardrooms, on campuses, and in newsrooms.

He now leads CAH & Co., his consultancy, where he advises luxury fashion brands, academic institutions, and creative enterprises on strategy, organizational development, and growth. Alongside that, he holds two academic leadership posts: doctoral faculty at Capella University, where he teaches business and human resources and holds the Stephen Shank Award for Teaching Excellence, and Interim Chair of the Board of Directors for the Edessa School of Fashion.

That authority was built one senior role at a time. He led human resources initiatives at Neiman Marcus, directed international boutique development for URUP Designs, and served as Academic Director at The Art Institute of Atlanta, where he helped guide the school through SACS accreditation and rebuilt its core fashion degree programs.

He has also spent his career as a public voice for the industry he helps build. His journalistic path began with coverage of Project Runway and has grown into his current roles as Senior Fashion Editor at Upscale Magazine and Cultural Ambassador for the St. Lucia Fashion Council, with recurring contributions to CBS, NBC, FOX 5, 11Alive, NPR, and ABC.

His creative output extends beyond strategy and press. He co created the fragrance HERE with Dragon Perfumes, featured in GQ and Condé Nast Traveler, appeared in the Emmy winning documentary The South Got Something to Say, and wrote the foreword to Fashion Blueprint: Step by Step Guide to Building Your Brand.

He holds a B.S. from Alabama State University, an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a DBA from Argosy University. His honors include Alabama State University's "50 Under 50" Distinguished Alumni Award, a spot on Atelier Magazine's 100 Most Influential People, the Role Model Academy Award, and Modern Luxury's Men of Style.

Photo: Skyy Wonders