Fall Fellow Andy Huszar ’91 on Curiosity, Community, and Reimagining Fashion

At an all-school assembly on Friday, November 7, the Hopkins community welcomed Fall Fellow Andy Huszar ’91, co-founder and CEO of Marcella, a global designer fashion brand empowering women and girls through its design philosophy, production approach, sustainability, and social impact.

Huszar began by sharing a humorous ninth-grade memory—the time he dressed as Superman with underwear over his tights to promote the Hopkins Canned Food Drive—from the very same podium where he now stood. The story set the stage for two lessons that have shaped every step of his career.

The first, he said, was “fearless curiosity,” which he says began to take shape at Hopkins.

As he noted in his speech, there were moments during his time on the Hill when, despite his best efforts, Huszar didn’t know all the answers—and learning that this was “okay” became a turning point. Being “humbled” here meant he was never afraid to say he didn’t know something, which in turn, as he put it, “freed me to try new things over and over again.”

The second lesson was “the power of community.” Reflecting on that ninth grade food drive, Huszar said he realized that a group of engaged companions could achieve great things—an epiphany that later fueled his passion for building teams that “pull in the same direction to make an impact.”

Huszar reminded students that curiosity and collaboration aren’t just habits—they’re catalysts for growth. “I learned [at Hopkins] to ask better questions, to surround myself with people who challenge me, and to keep learning no matter what room I walk into.”

In his talk, Huszar described his 11-year tenure at the Federal Reserve, culminating in a pivotal leadership role during the 2008 financial crisis. The mandate—what he called the “$1.25 trillion centerpiece” of quantitative easing—required figuring out how to execute the program without disrupting U.S. financial markets.

Even as he later advanced on Wall Street, Huszar said he felt the pull of those Hopkins-forged ideals. He told students they have time to figure out what makes them happy: be patient, learn from every opportunity, and become “ever more the expression of who you want to be.”

That clarity eventually brought him to Marcella, the fashion company he leads with his partner, Siyana. “What we’re ultimately doing,” he explained, “is growing the first truly socially motivated designer fashion brand for women.” By emphasizing efficiency—just-in-time production and timeless “designer essentials”—the company aims to be ethical, sustainable, socially impactful, and profitable, all while offering affordable fashion to its consumers.

Huszar pointed to tangible outcomes, including the support for “over 1 million school days for underprivileged girls globally.” But beyond numbers, he emphasized purpose. “Advancing human progress has been the lifeblood of my work,” he said. “Whether it’s rebuilding economies or rethinking fashion, it all comes down to asking how we can do better—for each other.”

Throughout his evolving career, Huszar returned to the habits Hopkins helped him build—ask questions, learn publicly, and build community. “Everything I’ve done since makes sense,” he told students, “because I’ve tried to stay true to those ideals—my ideals—and they’ve continually opened all the doors of possibility in my life.” With a grin, he closed by circling back to his opening story and one piece of practical advice: best not to appear in your underwear in front of assembly.

Following his presentation, Huszar attended a brunch in his honor that was open to the Hopkins community, toured the campus, and engaged with students and faculty in classrooms. He attended Tim Phipps’ U.S. History and John Roberts’ 21st Century Democracy classes, where he gave students more insight into his time at the Federal Reserve. Huszar explained the lead up to the 2008 financial crisis, and his role in developing the quantitative easing solution that is still in practice at the Fed today.

Huszar’s visit was part of the 2025–2026 Hopkins Speaker Series, a program that brings thought leaders and alumni to campus to share experiences from across industries—from entrepreneurship and data science to the arts and public service. The goal is simple: to bring the world to Hopkins and, in doing so, inspire students to find their own voice within it.

Established in 2005, the Hopkins Fellows program enriches the student experience by connecting alumni with current students through assemblies, discussions, and classroom visits—continuing the School’s tradition of fostering intellectual curiosity, civic engagement, and critical thinking.