Meet The Swim Team: Hillary Drezner

Have you ever dreamed of working at SI Swimsuit? Well, we're giving you the inside scoop on what it takes.

The SI Swimsuit team is made up of seven women (yup, just seven) and we think it is time you got to meet the women behind the magazine. We will be doing a Q&A with six of the seven members of the team in the coming weeks as Senior Editor, Darcie Burroughs is currently on maternity leave.

Next up, Hillary Drezner who runs the Business side of SI Swimsuit. Hillary has been the mastermind behind many of our incredible partnerships, business deals and launch events...including our amazing Nashville takeover (my favorite Launch Week of all time). Nashville, want to have us back?

SI: What is your current job at SI Swimsuit?

HD: I am the Head of Strategy, Partnerships & Business Development.

SI: Where did you go to college and what was your major?

HD: I attended Temple University and majored in Journalism, Public Relations, & Advertising

SI: What internships did you have that helped land your job?

HD: I interned for the Philadelphia Eagles in college. It was supposed to be a summer internship, but I ended up staying on for two seasons while I was still in school. That opportunity absolutely changed my life, gave me my work ethic and connected me to people that have helped me every step of the way. I am truly grateful for the experience and still am all these years later!

Clockwise: Camille Kostek, Halima Aden, Hillary Drezner and Janine Berey in Miami for the 2020 Swim Search.

SI: Where did you work before SI Swimsuit?

HD: I worked for Sports Illustrated & SI Swimsuit for the past 13 years. Before that, I worked for the Philadelphia Eagles, ABC Network & Golf Magazine

SI: How long have you been at SI Swimsuit?

HD: I worked directly for SI for about 12 years and left to start a live events division for a successful talent marketing agency called Rubicon Live. While building that business, I’ve always stayed on to work with Swimsuit in some capacity. I couldn’t stay away, it’s just a part of me!

SI: How did you get your job at SI Swimsuit?

HD: I was initially hired at SI to sell advertising for all the digital properties. I quickly became the sales lead on SI Swimsuit and MJ Day and I became successful working closely together, to bring in some of the most creative sponsorship, licensing, experiential and brand deals. That lead me to oversee the Experiential & Events division and make SI Swimsuit Launch week a consumer facing event. We always knew team work makes the dream work and are very proud of that.

SI: What is a day at the office like for you?

HD: The mission for SI Swimsuit is to become the number one destination where women can come to be inspired and build a business for themselves outside of modeling. That can be through a live event, digital content, a casting or flipping through the issue. So, I am constantly meeting with people, partners and brands that have the same vision that can help us get to that goal. We have a lot of exciting initiatives that we are launching soon to better illustrate that and we can’t wait.

SI: What is the best part of the job?

HD: Hands down watching someone’s life change when they get the cover. I cry every time.

Hannah Jeter and Hillary Drezner

SI: What has been your favorite SI Swimsuit location?

HD: Being on the business side, I typically only go on shoots if there’s a partnership that needs to be executed. We’ve done some amazing programs, but I would have to say Cook Islands was my favorite. We shot a hilarious safety video for Air New Zealand, with a group of amazing models that ran on all of their airplanes. Then, I was there to witness the 50th Anniversary cover shoot with Chrissy Teigen, Lily Aldridge and Nina Agdal. I flew home with Lily and she took me to In-N-Out for the first time. It was life changing.

Chrissy Teigen and Hillary Drezner in the Cook Islands.

SI: Dream shoot location?

HD: I was very jealous of that Antarctica shoot!

SI: Favorite archive SI Swimsuit cover?

HD: Tyra Banks, 1997. I remember exactly where I was when I first saw it!

SI: What are your travel must-haves?

HD: Air Pods, multiple chargers and my computer. I’m also loving packing cubes to keep me organized.

Hannah Jeter, Ariel Meredith, Hillary Drezner, Chrissy Teigen and Karen Carpenter in the Cook Islands.

SI: What are some of your favorite swim brands?

HD: Whatever Jo Giunta tells me is cool.

SI: What advice would you give to someone who would like to work at SI?

HD: Reach out to any of us with ideas on how to better the brand. We are always looking to connect with smart talented people and love constructive criticism!

WANT TO MEET THE REST OF THE TEAM: Margot Zamet (Editorial Intern), Joanna Giunta (Assistant Editor), Alyssa Conroy (Producer), Janine Berey (Associate Editor)