Episode 201: How Pacsun Stays Relevant: Brieane Olson on Gen Z, Culture, and Purpose

What does it take to shape a brand that resonates with an entire generation? Brieane Olson, CEO of Pacsun, joins Heidi Zuckerman to discuss creativity, cultural relevance, and values-driven leadership at one of the most influential youth lifestyle retailers in the world. From strategic partnerships with icons like A$AP Rocky and Kendall Jenner to a $5M investment in Inglewood schools, Brieane shares how she blends purpose with performance. With nearly two decades at Pacsun and a career spanning merchandising, marketing, and digital transformation, her approach is both bold and deeply human. In this episode, Brieane and Heidi explore: •The art of building authentic collaborations •Why community investment isn’t a strategy, it’s a responsibility •Leading with empathy, innovation, and intention •What Gen Z and Gen Alpha expect from brands today—and how art plays a role This conversation is about more than retail. It’s about culture, connection, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.

You can listen to Episode 201: How Pacsun Stays Relevant: Brieane Olson on Gen Z, Culture, and Purpose online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Episode 201: How Pacsun Stays Relevant: Brieane Olson on Gen Z, Culture, and Purpose is an episode from About Art by Heidi Zuckerman.

This episode is 01:02:11 long.

This episode was published on Feb 10, 2026.

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