Casey Russell | Founder & CEO, Wild Pony Hat Bar

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Casey Russell is an accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and community leader whose career spans more than two decades of corporate leadership, strategic operations, and business development. As Founder and CEO of Wild Pony Hat Bar, she has transformed her passion for creativity, connection, and self-expression into a fast-growing Texas experiential retail and hospitality brand.

Before launching Wild Pony Hat Bar in 2024, Casey built a distinguished corporate career with two Fortune 500 companies, Nike and Boeing, where she held leadership roles spanning aerospace and defense, supply chain management, business intelligence, and executive operations. Her experience includes serving as Chief of Staff to a vice president, leading teams of data scientists on enterprise-wide business intelligence initiatives, and managing complex North American supply chain and pricing operations. These experiences shaped her expertise in strategic leadership, operational excellence, and building high-performing teams.

In 2024, Casey made the bold transition from corporate executive to entrepreneur, founding Wild Pony Hat Bar with a mission to empower individuals to express themselves with confidence and authenticity. What began as a mobile custom hat experience has rapidly evolved into a multi-location brand with a presence at some of San Antonio's prominent hospitality destinations, including Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk and La Cantera Resort & Spa, as well as the

historic Basila Frocks development.

Under Casey's leadership, Wild Pony has expanded beyond traditional retail into experiential hospitality, corporate activations, and personalized brand experiences, serving corporate organizations, luxury hospitality partners, conventions, and private clientele. Through strategic partnerships and a commitment to exceptional guest experiences, she continues to redefine how businesses use creativity and personalization to build meaningful connections.

Casey's entrepreneurial vision extends beyond commercial success. She is passionate about cultivating community, supporting women in business, creating meaningful employment opportunities for military spouses, and contributing to the economic vitality of San Antonio. Her decision to establish Wild Pony's retail and community space within the historic Basila Frocks building reflects her commitment to entrepreneurship as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization and local opportunity.

An active member of San Antonio's business and civic community, Casey is a member of

Leadership San Antonio Class 50, a leadership development program jointly supported by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is also engaged with both chambers and advocates for collaborative leadership, small business growth, and community partnerships.

Casey earned her bachelor's degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Brigham Young University and a master's degree in Applied Leadership and Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

At the heart of Casey's leadership philosophy is a simple conviction: Confidence and kindness are not mutually exclusive; together, they are powerful forces for leadership, innovation, and lasting impact. Through Wild Pony Hat Bar, she is building more than a business—she is creating opportunities for people to embrace their individuality, connect with others, and lead boldly as their authentic selves.