MEET THE TEAM
ALLISON YEE
Founder + CEO
Chief trailblazer, master collaborator, self-proclaimed retail therapist, pun-lover.
Passionate about helping create a world where entrepreneurs can make big waves while taking small risks, and grow businesses that truly thrive.
After 20+ years working in retail and real estate development, Allison created UpNext to help reimagine the next wave of retail.
With a keen eye for making the right connections, Allison has led the charge in guiding hundreds of founders in elevating their brands through pop-ups, and helping municipalities and developers create innovative retail projects.
Pronouns: She/her
@theallisonyee
RACHEL MCPHERSON
COO
Strategic planner, chronic multi-talker, photographer, storyteller and enneagram enthusiast.
Rachel brings her years of experience in marketing and business development to provide both strategic and creative direction to the UpNext team.
Best known for tackling complex ideas by dreaming up creative solutions and believes failure is a healthy part of any process.
You may see her behind the camera lens when she can’t resist capturing photos to help a founder tell their brand story.
Pronouns: She/her
@raeellenphotographyJILL PAZ
Creative Director
Illustrator, small business owner, social media guru, painfully visual creative.
Prior to joining the team, Jill popped up through UpNext and knows first hand what it takes to have a successful pop-up.
Jill loves teaching our brands the ins and outs of social media, shop design, and brand identity.
Previous job: Film + TV Costume Designer
Pronouns: She/her
@jillpazillustration
ASHLEY STAMBLER
Head of Strategic Partnerships
Brand hunter, collaboration-sparker, enthusiastic make-it-happen-er.
Ashley’s years of experience working in corporate wholesale for high-end fashion companies like Tory Burch and Nicole Miller, give her keen insight into inventory planning, profit margins, sales projections and vendor relationships.
Motivated by seeing a brand believe in their own potential, Ashley finds joy in fueling brand collaborations and helping founders find the right opportunities to make their retail dreams a reality.
Pronouns: She/her
KRISTIN MCEACHEN
Head of Community
Community connector, brand champion, curator of great retail experiences, aspiring photographer, skincare enthusiast
Kristin brings 25+ years of customer service and leadership experience from L.L. Bean, J.Crew, Isis Parenting, and Restoration Hardware. With a keen eye for making the right connections and a love of all things visual, she is passionate about creating engaging retail experiences.
Now at UpNext, she ensures every founder and entrepreneur feels supported, inspired, and empowered to grow. A firm believer in the power of community, Kristin thrives on helping brands find their place in the ever-evolving retail landscape—one meaningful connection at a time.
Pronouns: She/her
SARA SOPH
Project Manager
Task coordinator, process optimizer, master organizer, ie the traffic controller for the team’s workload.
Sara has utilized her highly-tuned organizational skills to support the production of marketing and event activities like retail pop-ups, galas, concert series, weddings and corporate events.
Gets extra excited about helping small business owners gain the skills they need to be efficient and effective as they bring their beautiful visions to life.
Pronouns: She/her
NATALIE MAY
Team Coordinator
Planner, problem-solver, efficiency enthusiast—aka the one keeping everything (and everyone) on track.
Natalie’s background as a classroom teacher sharpened her ability to manage dynamic environments, streamline workflows, and adapt on the fly. Now, as Team Coordinator at UpNext, she applies those skills to support the team, ensuring smooth operations in the fast-moving world of retail and events.
Gets extra excited about building seamless systems that help teams work smarter, not harder—so they can focus on bringing big ideas to life. Passionate about community building, she loves creating connections that foster collaboration and growth.
Pronouns: She/her
THE UPNEXT TIMELINE
