Welcome to Second Life, a podcast spotlighting successful women who’ve made major career changes—and fearlessly mastered the pivot. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, cofounder and chief content officer at Who What Wear, each episode gives you a direct line to women who are game changers in their fields. Subscribe to Second Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts to stay tuned.
If you follow the latest jewelry trends, chances are you have known—and loved—Catbird for a long time. As an It-girl brand for well over a decade, Catbird paved the way for fine jewelry through its minimalist and incredibly timeless designs. At the helm of the brand’s creative is Chief Creative Officer Leigh Batnick Plessner. Yet before she was leading one of the industry’s most beloved jewelry brands, her career looked quite different.
After graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in English literature and anthropology, Plessner took on various service roles in Washington, D.C., working at local coffee shops and as a cocktail waitress. Her big break came when she joined the renowned independent bookstore Politics and Prose, initially working in the children’s room. Her talent for curation soon earned her a promotion to sidelines buyer, where she selected all non-book merchandise for the store. This role introduced her to the world of stationery and gifts, inspiring her to attend numerous trade shows.
Plessner then launched her own stationery brand, Jezebel, and relocated to New York City to pursue the venture. In 2005, she met Rony Vardi, founder of Catbird, at the stationery trade show, and immediately connected. She soon began working at the brand’s New York storefront. As Catbird expanded, Plessner gradually shifted away from Jezebel to dedicate herself fully to the jewelry company.
Rising alongside the brand, she has grown into the role of chief creative officer. In this position, Plessner oversees Catbird’s complete visual identity, shaping everything from product presentation to marketing aesthetics. Her creative leadership has driven high-profile partnerships with acclaimed artists and musicians such as Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers, helping cement Catbird’s reputation for thoughtful, buzzy collaborations that resonate with a modern, artistic audience.
Listen to the latest episode of Second Life to hear how Plessner continues to define Catbird’s distinctive charm in the competitive world of fine jewelry. And keep scrolling to shop our favorite pieces from the brand.
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