Meet Our Team

Karen Giberson, President & CEO

As President and CEO of the Accessories Council, Karen is the leading voice for the industry. She creates and oversees production of educational events, mentoring programs, the industry newsletter, networking events, charitable efforts and fundraising galas. She advocates for policy, has testified in front of congress, local governments and works tirelessly to positively impact the accessories industry. Karen is an EMMY award winner and completed her Wharton GMP in December 2020. In her free time, she can be found running Spartan Races and spending time with her husband Nick, family and friends.

Irene FitzGerald, Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of Client Relations

Irene FitzGerald has spent more than two decades in the communications industry working with corporations and non-profit organizations. Most recently she was Executive Vice President at Lividini & Co., a brand strategy and communications agency based in NYC. Prior to joining Lividini & Co. she was the Internal Senior Director of Communications at Nine West Holdings, Inc. In this role she worked with corporate leadership creating a brand voice for legacy footwear, jewelry and apparel brands.

Irene's passion for not-for-profit work began with the launch of QVC Presents "FFANY Shoes on Sale." To date, the breast cancer fundraiser, has donated millions of dollars for crucial, first-step research. It brings her great pride to continue to support the Tim Rivlin Excellence in Teaching Award named in honor of her late husband who was a Senior Program Director for 45 years. She also enjoys spending time with her family, and trying out the latest culinary hot spots.

Cindy Chen Derkacz, Vice President

Cindy joined the Accessories Council after an impactful career in the accessories, jewelry, and footwear segments. She has experience in both the retail and wholesale side of the industry and has worked with large companies and small start-ups. Her resume includes stints in the TV shopping business (QVC, Shop NBC, and Shop LC) and with brick-and-mortar retailers (Walmart and Macy’s). Cindy has spent time in merchandising, product development, sourcing, and sales — always with a focus on the end consumer. She has been active in mentoring with her alma mater Purdue and Two-Ten’s WIFI organization. Cindy can often be found in the kitchen cooking for friends and family. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband Jay, son Matthew and their cat Philly and dog Kimmie.

Kristen Spina, Managing Editor

Kristen Spina is a creative writing professional with over 30 years experience in the publishing industry. A Cal Poly San Luis Obispo journalism school graduate, Kristen has been a staff writer and editor, as well as a freelance journalist for a wide range of national consumer and trade publications. She writes and edits business and fashion stories, personal essays, fiction, website and marketing copy, and just about anything that puts words on the printed or digital page. Originally from California, she has lived and worked in NY for most of her professional life.

Sophia Strawser, Editor of Ac Magazine

Sophia is a writer based out of NYC working in both editorial and creative. She has written for several magazines around NYC and worked for a handful of fashion brands in producing content for social media and copywriting. She received undergraduate degrees from Hofstra University in Screenwriting and Performance before graduating with a Masters from Rutgers University. She was selected as an artist in resident at Chateau Orquevaux where she spent a month living in France writing two screenplays. Sophia loves coffee, traveling, and covering everything she eats in hot sauce.