Alli Kader

Assistant Buyer, Women’s Casuals
Payless ShoeSource

Alli Kader was resolute when she told her family she was moving from New York to work for Payless ShoeSource in Kansas. “They were shocked at first,” she says. “But it was my dream, and they knew I had to follow it.”Alli is one of those rare people who identify their dreams early and align every future step toward reaching them. She’s been interested in both fashion and business for a long time, so getting a degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology was natural. She not only got a great education in fashion merchandising management, but she had some extraordinary internship experiences, too. From sales with DKNY Underwear and buying for Calvin Klein to product coordination at Perry Ellis, Alli got a taste for a variety of career directions. But her internship at Payless sealed her fate. “Working in buying allows you to be involved in product development and design, building a line and working with the business and distribution sides, too.” She joined the company as an assistant buyer in 2009.

"There’s a lot of growth and movement within the company. It’s very exciting to be exposed to a number of brands. You get to see how every team works, so you can pursue your passion in the area that fits you best."