SVUDL Visits Gap Inc. in San Francisco
Last month, SVUDL students and alumni had the opportunity to visit Gap Inc. headquarters in San Francisco: home to renowned brands such as Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta. The experience was an immersive dive into the world of leadership, fashion, personal and career growth.
The visit began with students being welcomed by Matthew Irwin, Gap Inc. (Vice President, Deputy General Counsel) and part of SVUDL’s Legal Advisory Committee, and Ana Branscombe (Senior Manager - Real Estate Law). The group engaged in a tour with thoughtful conversation and questions to learn more about their careers, and understanding the work of the legal team behind it all.
As students explored the stores of Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta located in the corporate headquarters building, they were introduced to the history and cultural impact of each brand by sales representatives. They also toured the headquarters office space, where Matthew and Ana gave an inside look at how the company has evolved over time, and the careers and opportunities Gap has created. During a lunch break, students and alumni asked questions ranging from “How do you become the next CEO?” to “How do you balance having a personal life with work?”
The group was then invited to a panel discussion featuring five remarkable GAP HQ professionals:
Matthew Irwin - Vice President, Deputy General Counsel
Ana Branscombe - Senior Manager, Real Estate Law
Karla Franklin - Vice President, Deputy General Counsel
Vanessa Henlon - Senior Counsel, Real Estate Law
Will Riffelmacher - Vice President, Deputy General Counsel
Each panelist offered a candid look into their personal journeys: how they entered the industry, the unexpected pivots along the way, and the challenges they overcame. Their stories underscored a powerful message: there is no single path to success. Many described moments of uncertainty where they had to go back to the drawing board, take risks, and trust their instincts.
SVUDL attendees were inspired and gained insights into everything from a day in the life of a legal professional to the academic and personal journeys it took to get here. These stories resonated with them, many expressed aspirations to pursue careers in law, business, and entrepreneurship.
A huge thank you to Matthew and the team for welcoming and giving us the opportunity to explore and learn about the world of Gap Inc.!
