Javier Uriegas is an FSF Scholar and graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a BS in Textiles and Apparel. Today, he serves as Global Product Operations Senior Analyst at Levi Strauss & Co., where he leads digital transformation initiatives across product, engineering, and merchandising teams—reimagining legacy processes inside a 173-year-old company to drive speed, efficiency, and connection across its global workflow.
From a first entry point into the fashion industry to leading cross-functional teams behind Levi's newest digital tools, Javier's path reflects the power of mentorship, community, and the belief that discipline and creativity can grow in the same direction.
FSF: How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Javier Uriegas: Japanese Americana workwear.
FSF: What's the most important lesson you learned through FSF?
JU: Community is vital.
FSF: The future of fashion is _____.
JU: Inclusive.
FSF: How did FSF help you embark on your career—and how do you continue to tap into the community or its resources today?
JU: FSF played a pivotal role in launching my career. It was my first real entry point into the industry—the thing that got my foot in the door. Beyond the financial support, it gave me exposure and access to leaders and peers, as well as opportunities that helped me understand how the fashion industry actually works.
I continue to tap into the FSF community by staying connected with fellow Scholars and industry professionals. The network is an ongoing resource, whether for mentorship, perspective, or collaboration. It's a community that doesn't just open doors once; it keeps creating opportunities for growth throughout your career.
FSF: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your fashion journey so far?
JU: It's hard to choose just one person. I've been fortunate to have incredible mentors, professors, and managers who have shaped me at different stages.
In high school, my drum instructor, Carlos Botello, gave me the confidence to believe I could pursue whatever I set my mind to. He helped me understand that discipline and creativity could coexist. In college, my professor, Sarah Stevens, provided the mentorship and encouragement I needed to break into the industry—she encouraged me to apply to FSF, which ultimately became a defining step in my career.
Later in my professional journey, I've been fortunate to work under great leaders like my current boss, Theresa Chua. She has challenged me to think more strategically, lead with intention, and step confidently into rooms where I once felt I had to prove myself. Through her leadership, I've developed a stronger voice, greater clarity in decision-making, and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead with both results and integrity.
Each of these individuals has influenced me in unique ways, and together they've shaped the path I'm continuing to build.
FSF: Can you tell us about a recent project you're proud of?
JU: At Levi's, I focus on building new ways of working — reimagining legacy processes within a 173-year-old company to create speed and efficiency. Most recently, I led the development of a new end-to-end sampling process as part of a broader effort to bring the product closer to market.
We redesigned the company's sampling strategy to better support our sales teams and enable earlier selling to wholesale partners. The work required both process transformation and digital innovation. Together with the engineering, merchant, and product development teams, we built a centralized application that integrates raw material data, vendor data, product information, and shipment tracking into a single platform.
The result is an elegant, user-friendly tool that increases end-to-end visibility, reduces manual work, and creates a more connected global workflow—positioning Levi's to operate with more agility.
FSF: What role do you see mentorship playing in the future of fashion?
JU: Mentors have deeply shaped my career. Through FSF and beyond, I've had leaders invest in me with their honesty and encouragement. My current mentor, who feels like a big sister, has pushed me to think bigger and trust myself. Her support has played a major role in building the confidence I carry today.
Mentorship will continue to shape the future of fashion—not just by developing talent, but by creating more inclusive pathways into the industry. Strong mentorship builds leaders who are skilled and intentional about lifting others as they grow.
FSF: Are there any lessons from your time as an FSF Scholar or Alumnus that continue to resonate with you today?
JU: You belong in that room. You have the skills needed to be included, and you've done the work to open the doors, so you deserve to be there.
FSF: Any upcoming projects you'd like to share?
JU: I can't share too much at the moment, but we're experimenting a lot with AI. The focus is to enhance people's work, not replace them.
FSF: Anything else you'd like to add?
JU: Your career is a reflection of what you choose to make of it. You have the full capability to achieve anything you set out to. Who you meet along the way, the lessons you learn, the times you fail and get back up, that's where real success is found.
📲 Follow Javier's journey: LinkedIn | @javi.urii
