THE PRINCIPALS

Chesie Breen is a high-level public relations consultant and Co-Founder of NivenBreen, a New York-based Strategic Communications firm specializing in the luxury lifestyle, design, media and real estate. Breen is a contributing editor at ELLE DÉCOR and PAPER CITY magazines.  She also served as Editor-at-Large for Hearst Design Group working closely with the Editors in Chief to secure top tier content for Elle Décor, House Beautiful and Veranda magazines. She has helped build the careers of some of the most respected names in design including Alex Papachristidis, Carrier & Company, Emily Summers, McMillen Inc, Sawyer|Berson, Wolf Holden, Cathy Kincaid, David Kleinberg, and Suzanne Tucker.

With NivenBreen she has developed strategies for national and international book tours and events for designers including the internationally celebrated style icons Aerin Lauder and Lynn Wyatt. With Partner Ellen Niven they founded Palm Beach Design Days and East Hampton Art & Design Days and consult for several design events around the country, including Nantucket By Design, Newport Design Festival, and Greenwich Design Days.

Furthering her commitment to education and design, Breen has served on the Board of the New York School of Interior Design and as National Director at Large for the Hockaday School Alumnae Association Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Decorators Club, an organization dedicated to raising scholarship funds for design schools.

Ellen Niven has developed unique expertise across M&A, strategic branding, customer acquisition, marketing & communications and public relations in her three decade career working with many of the world’s leading luxury companies. As a consultant to investors in private equity as well as luxury brands, she has advised Armani, Prada, John Lobb, St. Louis Crystal, Pratesi, Valentino, J. Mendel, M Missoni, Worth, PIRCH, VBH, and Vhernier, amongst others.

Her previous executive marketing roles include senior leadership positions at Asprey as Global Chief Marketing Officer, at Valentino as EVP Marketing and Communications, and at Hermes as Director of Public Relations, before founding her own consultancy to focus on advising leading brands. As an Operating Partner at Sciens Capital for six years, Niven reviewed potential acquisition targets in the luxury sector including accessories and fashion houses, home design, wine, and fragrance. At Asprey, she worked alongside the CEO and creative director on initiatives to grow the business, overseeing brand development and product positioning, visual merchandising, strategic relationships, marketing, communications, and the development of affluent consumers worldwide.

Niven served as SVP Global Brand Development at Meritas, the international education company owned by Sterling Partners, overseeing international brand strategy for its network of schools worldwide for the year leading up to their acquisition. She consults on a project basis for some of the companies in the portfolio of L Catterton, the world’s largest private equity investor in consumer growth companies with over $14 billion under management.

Throughout her career she has established long-lasting relationships with outside firms, charities, social influencers and industry players to help initiate image brand-building programs and strengthen brand outreach, bringing clients access to her 30 years of experience and industry contacts. She also has helped recruit creative directors, CEOs, heads of retail, outside creative services companies, and facilitates strategic introductions to industry leaders on behalf of senior C-level executives at a number of firms.

In 2015, Niven co-founded NivenBreen with industry veteran Chesie Breen to partner on projects and clients primarily focused in the home and lifestyle spaces. She has run two retail antique and design shops in Locust Valley, 96Forest and StudioBelle. Niven is on the masthead of House Beautiful as a contributing editor, and is vice-president of the Board of the Boys Club of New York.

THE TEAM

Sydney joined NivenBreen in 2022 and now serves as Accounts & Events Director, overseeing brand strategy, public relations, and event production across the firm’s luxury design and lifestyle portfolio. She spearheaded the launch of Palm Beach Design Days, transforming it into a multi-day industry destination, and advises leading designers, architects, and brands on positioning within the competitive luxury media landscape.

Previously, Sydney worked at Image Resources Group, a media production and marketing company, where she honed her expertise in creative direction, event production, and brand storytelling.

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Advertising and a minor in Studio Art, Sydney brings an editorial eye and artful sensibility to every project. Originally from Houston, she developed an early appreciation for design and the arts that continues to shape her approach today.

Abigail joins NivenBreen as European & Luxury Brands Director with a decade of experience in design, media, and luxury lifestyle. She was Global Digital Content & Special Project Manager for De Beers Group in London, where she led digital strategy and brand development to keep the diamond category elevated, modern, and relevant worldwide.

She also worked as Brand & Content Manager for Re:Agency, creating brand and communications strategies for a portfolio spanning fashion, art, travel, and lifestyle. Earlier in her career, Abigail held positions with Ralph Lauren/Club Monaco, Architectural Digest, InStyle, and Harrods. She earned her B.A. from Wake Forest University in Art History and Journalism, completed advanced coursework at NYU Florence, and holds dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Elizabeth Hollensbe is an Account Manager at NivenBreen, where she leverages her experience in the design and public relations industry to drive impactful strategies and elevate brand presence. She holds a B.A. in Communications with a concentration in Integrated Marketing from Wake Forest University, bringing a strong background in social media management, content creation, and brand development. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Elizabeth has gained hands-on experience in the design industry, learning from renowned designers and brand leaders at Casa Branca and Beth Lacefield Designs.

Ace joins the NivenBreen team as an Account Manager. Most recently, he worked as a Project Manager for the internationally recognized interior design firm, Markham Roberts Inc. He worked closely with leading antiques dealers, auction houses, art galleries, and vendors in the U.S. and Europe to source product and manage relationships.

He is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he studied Learning and Organizational Change, with a Minor in European History.

Lila is an Account Coordinator at NivenBreen, where she helps shape and amplify brand identities for leading clients in the design and luxury lifestyle space. A graduate of Georgetown University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in English, she brings strategic insight, a strong editorial eye, and polished communication skills to every project. Originally from the Bay Area, she infuses her work with a fresh West Coast sensibility and a passion for creative collaboration.

Liza Hartzog is an Account Coordinator at NivenBreen. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a B.A. from the Hussman School of Media and Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations and Advertising. Originally from Raleigh, NC, Liza has been immersed in the design industry, along with valuable public relations agency and social media management experience. Her background greatly impacts her passion for brand development and design.

Juliette is an Account Coordinator at NivenBreen, where she applies her background in client services, strategic marketing, and brand storytelling to support clients. She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Studio Art from Bucknell University. Before joining NivenBreen, Juliette worked at WPP Media, collaborating with leading brands on campaign management, podcast advertising, influencer strategy, and creative brand activations. Originally from Long Island, NY, she combines her love of design, art, and communication with a passion for creative thinking and building authentic connections.

EXTENDED TEAM

NivenBreen takes a SWAT team approach to every project, using our thirty plus years of industry connections to align our clients with the very best photographers, stylists, website developers, graphic designers, producers, and copywriters to ensure each initiative is executed by the very best talents in the industry. Our long-standing relationships deliver access at the highest level while keeping teams lean and efficient.