Jenny Fleiss

Jennifer Fleiss is an entrepreneur and business executive recognized as the co-founder of Rent the Runway, a platform that changed how consumers access designer fashion through clothing rental and circular economy models. Fleiss began her career in the Strategic Planning Group at Morgan Stanley, focusing on long-term company strategy. She later joined Lehman Brothers' Asset Management Group, where she analyzed business growth opportunities involving acquisitions, international expansion, and new product strategies. Fleiss earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she met future co-founder Jennifer Hyman.

After completing her MBA, Fleiss co-founded Rent the Runway, a company that enables consumers to rent designer clothing, reducing the cost and waste associated with ownership. She served as head of business development and as a member of the board of directors, overseeing company infrastructure, project planning, and logistics. Fleiss and Hyman raised significant venture capital funding, expanded the company to more than 1,000 employees, and took it public with a multibillion-dollar valuation.

Fleiss's leadership contributed to Rent the Runway's reputation for advancing sustainability and supporting women in business. She has been recognized by Inc. Magazine's "30 Under 30," Fortune Magazine's "40 Under 40" and "Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs," and Fast Company's "Most Influential Women in Technology." Fleiss and Hyman received the Fashion Group International Rising Star Award in the Retail Innovation category for their work on Rent the Runway.

Fleiss later co-founded JetBlack, a digital commerce platform and Walmart subsidiary, where she served as CEO. JetBlack offered a subscription-based shopping concierge service for parents, providing same- or next-day delivery via text-based requests. Fleiss has also served as an advisor at Initialized Capital and as a partner at Volition Capital, a growth equity firm.

Fleiss is co-founder of Roll Rider, a family travel product company, and acts as a consultant, advisor, investor, and board member to various organizations. She serves on the boards of Rent the Runway, The Lanvin Group, Shutterfly, and Yale Ventures, and advises and invests in businesses, many led by female founders. Fleiss’s career spans Wall Street, fashion technology, and venture capital, offering expertise in entrepreneurship, consumer innovation, and commerce.