Industry Moves: Genesco-Owned Schuh Names New Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer + More News
Who’s in, who’s out, who’s been promoted and hired — FN covers all the industry changes in one place. Know of an executive on the move? Tell us at web@footwearnews.com.
March 5, 2024: UK-based footwear retailer Schuh has tapped Stephanie Legg as chief marketing officer and Justin Lodge as chief digital officer with immediate effect. According to the Genesco-owned retailer, these new additions to the leadership team will be “pivotal” in Schuh’s ambition to be an “unrivalled destination” for socially conscious students, Gen-Z and the next Generation Alpha. After spending ten years at Arcadia leading the digital marketing and brand marketing teams, Legg has more recently sat on the leadership teams at innovative digital platforms Laybuy, Threads Styling and Collagerie. In her role, she will lead the marketing, partnerships and PR departments at Schuh. Lodge’s previous roles include chief marketing officer at Superdry, where he was responsible for the strategy and execution of digital channels, and international director at Boohoo.com, where he expanded the Boohoo Group brand into international markets. Lodge’s remit at Schuh includes digital marketing, CRM, digital trading and UX. Both Legg and Lodge join the existing five members of the Schuh leadership team, including Schuh president Colin Temple.
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Feb. 8, 2024: Luxury resale marketplace RealReal has tapped Ajay Gopal as its chief financial officer, effective March 18. Gopal most recently served as the CFO of Outside Interactive and has also served in the top financial role at Good Eggs, Helix and StubHub. The RealReal has also named board member Karen Katz, the former chief executive officer of Neiman Marcus Group, as its new chairperson of its board of directors, effective Feb. 20. “I’m thrilled to welcome Ajay to The RealReal,” said John Koryl, CEO of The RealReal in a statement. “Not only does Ajay have robust experience in high-growth and transformative businesses, but his diverse background and experience across eCommerce and two-sided marketplaces is invaluable as The RealReal continues its drive toward profitability.”
Feb. 8, 2024: Manolo Blahnik has named Jodie Blake as chief marketing officer, effective immediately. In her new role, Blake will be responsible for delivering and executing the global communications strategy for the brand under the direction of Manolo Blahnik himself and CEO, Kristina Blahnik. Blake joined Manolo Blahnik in 2019 as head of marketing and communications. During this time, she was responsible for overseeing the London head office communications department comprising of content, marketing and events, and press and VIP divisions. She worked closely with former CMO, Carla Filmer, on the planning and execution of brand strategy and on creative activations in global territories excluding North America and Canada. Prior to her time at Manolo Blahnik, Blake held the position of head of marketing and communications at Self-Portrait, the contemporary womenswear brand based in London. Her previous roles included senior account director at the luxury communications agency, The Communications Store, where she led the UK and global PR strategies for brands including Erdem, Emilia Wickstead, Max Mara, Oscar de la Renta, Pinterest, and The Conran Shop.
Feb. 8, 2024: Puma has named Julie Legrand as its senior director of global brand strategy. The 20-year brand management and marketing veteran most recently served as H&M’s global brand director. The appointment comes as Puma looks to shift its global marketing function from Boston to its headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany. “With Julie, we have found an experienced leader to head up PUMA’s global brand strategy,” said Puma’s vice president of brand and marketing Richard Teyssier. “She will define and execute our strategy to drive higher brand visibility and strengthen the PUMA brand and its perception around the world.”
Feb. 7, 2024: Italian outdoor footwear brand Olang has named Davide Calcagnotto as its new general manager. In his new role, Calcagnotto will support the founder, Armando Sartor, with the aim of outlining a strategic development plan for the next few years. Calcagnotto joins Olang from fellow outdoor shoe brand Garmont International, where he served as chief operating officer since 2021. “I accepted this new challenge with enthusiasm, convinced by Olang’s potential,” Calcagnotto said in a statement. “The product is a leader in the winter season, but I am sure there will be important growth opportunities in terms of new markets, range and distribution channels. I thank the Sartor family for their trust, and I look forward to working with the team to achieve ambitious goals.” Sartor added: “Despite the passion and creativity being the same as always, my age required decisions, bringing Davide into the company to facilitate the generational transition was the natural plan. The family will remain involved at the forefront of management with my daughters Micaela and Francesca and my brother Ferruccio, but we have chosen to forward the company towards the future by entrusting new leadership. Continuity, evolution and expansion will be the cornerstones of the project.”
Feb. 2, 2024: Under Armour has named Kevin Ross as its new senior vice president, managing director of Europe, Middle East and Africa. He joins from Yeti, where he served as managing director of international since 2021. Before that, he spent nine years at Under Armour in various roles, culminating as vice president of global product creation. “We are thrilled to welcome Kevin back to Under Armour. His experience leading growth strategy and business operations in the region gives me great confidence that he will continue to harness the momentum that we’ve been able to establish in EMEA,” said Stephanie Linnartz, chief executive officer and president of Under Armour.
Jan. 26, 2024: Two Ten Footwear Foundation has named a new board chair and vice chair. President and CEO of New Balance Joe Preston succeeds president and CEO of Birkenstock USA David Kahan as board chair. President of Aldo product services Jonathan Frankel has become board vice chair. Two Ten also welcomed six new board members in the back half of 2023. They are: Zappos.com senior director of merchandising Kathy Forstadt, Skechers VP of sales Christina Gigante, SVP and GMM of Finish Line at Macy’s Ronnie Jefferson, EVP and GMM of Nordstrom shoes and kids apparel Tacey Powers, chairman and CEO of Steve Madden Ed Rosenfeld and Jennet Chow, founder and Co-CEO of Evolution Design Lab and Jellypop Shoes.
Jan. 23, 2024: Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) has named Seth Stern as the company’s SVP of sales. In this role, Stern will be responsible for overseeing the APL wholesale channel globally. Stern brings over 20 years of sales executive experience in the footwear industry with major brands such as Vans, Toms and several other footwear companies. In this new role at APL, he will help develop the wholesale channel both in the USA and internationally as part of the overall APL global strategy utilizing direct-to-consumer, company-owned retail flagship stores and wholesale distribution to drive growth. “We are thrilled to welcome Seth to the APL team and look forward to our curated expansion within the wholesale channel, in addition to our exceptional direct-to-consumer online and retail flagship store business,” Adam and Ryan Goldston, co-founders and co-CEOs of APL, said in a joint statement.
Jan. 18, 2024: Michael Fiddelke, Target’s CFO since 2019, has been announced as the company’s new chief operating officer, effective Feb. 4. He will continue to serve as CFO until a successor is named. Target also announced that its chief legal and compliance officer Don Liu will be retiring. The company said it will share details regarding its search for a replacement later this year. Once a successor is named, Liu will serve as a strategic advisor with Target through 2025.
Jan. 17, 2024: Perry Ellis International has tapped Michael Miille as its new creative director. In this role, Miille will spearhead the design and creative vision for Perry Ellis and Original Penguin by Munsingwear brands. Prior to joining Perry Ellis International, Miille held key positions at PVH and Ralph Lauren to name a few, where he successfully led creative teams. “Michael’s passion for design and his ability to capture the essence of modern style align perfectly with the values and vision of Perry Ellis International,” Oscar Feldenkreis, president and CEO of Perry Ellis International, said in a statement. “We are confident that his unique perspective will elevate both brands and resonate with a diverse audience.”
Jan. 16, 2024: Academy Sports and Outdoors has named Chad Fox to a newly created role of executive vice president and chief customer officer. In this role, Fox will oversee omnichannel, marketing, customer insights, and customer care. Fox will report directly to Steve Lawrence, CEO of the company. Before joining Academy, Fox served as SVP and chief marketing officer at Dollar General, where he led the brand strategy, marketing, media and digital teams and was responsible for strengthening the voice of the customer, generating increased traffic, improving customer engagement, and leading the in-house retail media network. Prior to Dollar General, Fox was VP of retail marketing with Walmart, where he guided marketing and media activities across all merchandising categories, seasonal events, and digital products and services. Fox also held leadership roles at Tyson Foods and The Richards Group.
Jan. 11, 2024: The Columbia Sportswear Co. board of directors has appointed Charles Denson to serve as a director and member of its audit committee. Denson is the president and CEO of advisory and consulting firm Anini Vista Advisors, and he held various positions at Nike Inc. from 1979-2014, including president of the Nike brand from 2001 to 2014. Currently, Denson is the chairman of the board of directors of Funko Inc., a role he has held since 2017, and serves as director of FAH LLC.
Jan. 4, 2023: After 13 years away from the brand, Gabriel Rodriguez has returned to Brooks. Rodriguez, who previously worked for Brooks from 2007-2010 as a field marketing representative, has been named its new VP of apparel and accessories. In the role, Rodriguez will be tasked with leading apparel and accessories design, development, product management and merchandising for Brooks’ global business. Rodriguez has spent the last 13 years at Under Armour, holding several leadership positions, most recently serving as the director of apparel for run.
Jan. 4, 2024: Luís Onofre has been re-elected president of APICCAPS (Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association) for a new three-year term. The businessman heads a single list, made up of a team of 26 businessmen, who will be in charge – for the next three years – of the national business association, based in Porto and founded in 1975, that represents the entire footwear sector in Portugal (footwear industry, footwear components industry, leather goods industry and trade of equipment for the industries). Joaquim Moreira will chair the general meeting and Domingos Ferreira the supervisory board. In the next term, “we will have a strengthened team of businessmen leading APICCAPS,” emphasized Onofre. “Together, we will try to implement what we have proposed in the strategic plan, with a focus on actions related to the internationalization of our companies. At a time when global economies are still experiencing very modest economic growth, our ability to reach new markets and customers and move into higher value-added segments will be critical.”
Dec. 19, 2023: The Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) has tapped sports industry veteran Glenn Horine to fill its chief operating officer role, effective Jan. 1, 2024. In the position, SFIA said Horine will oversee business operations, as well as manage marketing and communications, events and membership. He will report to SFIA president and CEO Tom Cove. SFIA stated Horine has served as a consultant for the last two years and is credited with the creation of several programs for the organization.
Dec. 19, 2023: Crocs Inc. has appointed John Replogle and Neeraj Tolmare to its board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Replogle has held leadership positions at consumer brands including Seventh Generation Inc., Burt’s Bees Inc., Unilever’s Skin Care division and Diageo Plc. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of Grove Collaborative Inc. and Wolfspeed Inc. As for Tolmare, he currently is the global chief information officer for The Coca-Cola Company. He also serves on the boards of Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and the Georgia Tech Research Institute, Center for Development and Application of Internet of Things. Crocs said in a statement that Replogle and Tolmare will bring new skill sets and extensive brand building experience in consumer facing businesses to the board.
Dec. 6, 2023: After a short stint as president of California-based startup Ponto Footwear, Barry McGeough has moved on to a new position at AmeriCo Group, a licensing firm that manufactures, markets and distributes apparel and hardlines for major brands such as Reebok, And1, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Izod, New Balance, Nautica and others. The company also owns the Gaiam and SPRI fitness labels, and its Basic Resources division recently acquired three intimates lines, including Warners. In his new role as group vice president of innovation, McGeough told FN he will “be supporting the innovation needs of all brands and categories” at AmeriCo. The executive has an extensive background in consumer goods. Prior to joining Ponto in June, McGeough previously served in leadership roles at Wolverine Worldwide, PVH, Pentland and The North Face.
Dec. 5, 2023: Tom Berry, who was most recently president and CEO of Ecco USA, has landed a new role at Saxx Underwear Inc. Berry is set to take over as CEO of the company, succeeding Wendy Bennison, who will help facilitate a transition period before joining the Saxx board of directors in April 2024. Berry brings a wealth of experience in the high-performance consumer goods space, with previous roles at Levi Strauss & Co., Tecnica, Salomon and The North Face. Berry will be tasked with leading Saxx through its next stage of growth, after already establishing itself as the No. 1 men’s single-pack boxer brief brand in the U.S.
Nov. 28, 2023: Macy’s, Inc. has named Sharon Otterman as its new chief marketing officer of Macy’s. The retailer said in a statement on Tuesday that Otterman will begin leading the company’s marketing organization starting on Monday, Dec. 11, reporting to Tony Spring, president and CEO-elect of Macy’s, Inc. In this role, Otterman will lead Macy’s strategic marketing, spearheading the company’s brand evolution and build awareness, engagement, and loyalty amongst all customer segments. This includes brand activation, campaign advertising and content planning, creative, visual merchandising, branded entertainment, and media strategy for the Macy’s brand. She also will be responsible for leading and building upon Macy’s iconic experiences, including the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy’s July 4th Fireworks and annual Spring Flower Show. Most recently, Otterman served as CMO at Caesars Entertainment, where she launched Caesars Sportsbook, a new sports betting brand in the U.S., and enhanced the sports betting and gaming brand experience. Prior to Caesars Entertainment, she served as EVP and CMO at Madison Square Garden Company, was CMO for NBCUniversal’s News Division, and was also the VP of marketing at ESPN. Earlier in Sharon’s career, she pioneered creative and media campaigns at top advertising agencies.
Nov. 27, 2023: REI Co-op has hired Roma McCaig as its new VP of public affairs and impact. In the role, the outdoor retail powerhouse said McCaig and its newly created public affairs and impact organization “will work to scale the co-op’s mission and purpose.” This, according to REI, includes “include internal and external communications, employee events and recognition, sustainability, community partnerships, philanthropic giving, public policy, government affairs and broader advocacy initiatives.” McCaig, who has more than 25 years of experience in communications, business operations and impact, most recently served as SVP of impact and communications at Clif Bar & Co.
Nov. 16, 2023: Dr. Martens plc has appointed Ije Nwokorie, a non-executive director of the company, to the newly created role of chief brand officer, effective Feb. 1 2024. Nwokorie, who joins from Apple Inc. as senior director of Apple Retail, will step down from his board member role and will report to CEO Kenny Wilson, overseeing “brand strategy, vision and direction for the next phase of Dr. Martens’ growth,” a release said. The shoe brand this week also appointed Giles Wilson as CFO. He joins from William Grant & Sons Limited.
Nov. 16, 2023: Roots has hired Leslie Golts as its next chief marketing officer. In the role, Roots said Golts will help advance its marketing initiatives and reinforce its position in the market. Golts, who has held marketing and communications leadership positions for 15 years, most recently served as GM and head of marketing for Unilever Canada’s beauty and wellness business unit. Prior to Unilever, she held roles at Dove and L’Oreal Canada.
Nov. 7, 2023: Birkenstock has named Tiffany Wu as managing director, Greater China, where she will lead the footwear company’s Greater China business inclusive of mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Wu reports to Klaus Baumann, Birkenstock’s chief sales officer. Wu most recently managed the Greater China region (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau) for diamond sales company Blue Nile. The new hire represents Birkenstock’s efforts to push into Greater China, where it currently operates a growing e-commerce business.
Nov. 7, 2023: REI Co-op has hired Guillaume Ledieu as VP of foundation technology, a newly created role. The position, according to the retailer, “is focused on supporting the advancement of REI’s foundational business capabilities to drive operational efficiencies and effectiveness of its end-to-end value chain.” REI said Ledieu will have oversight of its teams responsible for product flow, enterprise systems, technology management for product merchandising and enterprise and domain architecture. Also, the retailer said Ledieu will be part of its corporate officers. Prior to REI, he most recently was the VP of business transformation at McCormick & Company, and before that, he held leadership roles at Glatfelter and Black & Decker.
Nov. 1, 2023: Canada Goose has named its current deputy chief financial officer, Neil Bowden, as its new official CFO. Current CFO Jonathan Sinclair has been named president, APAC. The changes are affective April 1. Larry Li, current president of Mainland China, has also been named chief operating officer, APAC, effective Jan. 1, 2024.
Oct. 10, 2023: Good Feet Holdings LLC — the parent company of The Good Feet Store and ING Source — has appointed Doug Zarkin as its new chief brand officer. Zarkin is set to start his new role on Oct. 15 and will oversee the portfolio of companies within Good Feet Holdings. His responsibilities will extend across all encompassing brands, helping to strengthen the equity and footprint of the organization as a leader in the health and wellness sector. This appointment comes on the heels of rapid growth for The Good Feet Store, which opened its 250th location earlier this month.
Oct. 6, 2023: Pentland Brands has announced three new appointments to its senior leadership teams at the Speedo, ellesse, Mitre, Kickers and Canterbury brands. Simon Breckon has been named SVP of Speedo, Jack Richardson has been named SVP of ellesse, Kickers and Mitre, and Luke Doddrell has been named SVP of Canterbury. All three leaders, whose prior roles have been elsewhere in the company, will report to Penny Herriman, Pentland Brands’ chief marketing officer. They start their roles this month.
Sept. 25, 2023: Shoe Carnival has named Patrick Edwards as the company’s new SVP, CFO, secretary and treasurer, effective immediately. Edwards has served as the company’s chief accounting officer and secretary since 2021 and has served as VP and controller since he joined the company in 2019. Prior to joining Shoe Carnival, Edwards served in increasing roles of responsibility in finance and accounting during his 18-year career with Vectren Corporation, a publicly traded utility holding company, including serving as VP and treasurer and VP of corporate audit. Early in his career, Edwards worked in public accounting for PricewaterhouseCoopers. This announcement comes as Erik Gast, the company’s EVP, CFO and treasurer, leaves the company to pursue other opportunities. Mark Worden, Shoe Carnival’s president and CEO, said in a statement that Patrick has been a “significant contributor” to its success since joining in 2019. “I am very pleased that he has agreed to expand his role and I am confident that he will continue to add incredible value as we move forward in executing our strategy to grow the business and drive shareholder value,” Worden said.
Sept. 19, 2023: Discount retailer Five Below has named Genesco president, CEO and board chair Mimi E. Vaughn as an independent member of its board of directors. “Five Below is one of the fastest growing specialty retailers in the world, delivering a very unique, extreme value and fun shopping experience to tweens, teens and beyond,” said Vaughn in a statement. “I look forward to leveraging my diverse background leading a teen focused brand and supporting Joel and the talented management team at Five Below as they continue their amazing growth.”
Sept. 13, 2023: Lululemon has named Shane Grant to its board of directors, effective Nov. 1. He currently serves as the group deputy CEO, CEO of Americas and EVP of dairy, plant based and global sales at Danone, which he joined in May of 2020. Prior to that, he spent 20 years at the Coca-Cola Company, culminating in his role as president, still beverages business unit, North America. “I’m honored to join the Lululemon board to help advance the Company’s tremendous growth and market expansion opportunities,” said Grant in a statement. “I’ve long admired the Lululemon brand, its innovative products and unique community-based model which continues to create meaningful connections with guests around the world.”
Sept. 12, 2023: Rocky Brands, Inc. announced that its SVP, CFO and treasurer Sarah O’Connor has resigned, effective immediately. The company, which owns the Rocky, Durango, Lehigh and Ranger brands, among others, said it has started searching for O’Connor’s successor. Chief operating officer Tom Robertson, who previously served as CFO and treasurer until February 2023, will take over the CFO role in the meantime. “On behalf of the board and executive team, I want to thank Sarah for her contributions and we wish her all the best with her future endeavors,” said Jason Brooks, chairman of the board and CEO, in a statement.
Sept. 1, 2023: REI has tapped Jackie Major as its new VP of merchandise planning and inventory management, where she will oversee inventory management strategy, sales and operations. She most recently served as SVP, merchandise planning and inventory management at Levi Strauss & Co. “Jackie is a critical addition to the integrated value chain leadership bringing fantastic retail experience and business savvy to the co-op,” said Sylvia Wilks, REI chief supply chain officer. “She will engage the team in modernizing processes using the best technology platforms to completely transform REI’s approach to merchandise planning and inventory management.”
Aug. 31, 2023: Crocs has named Erinn Murphy as its new SVP of investor relations and corporate strategy. Murphy will join the Enterprise leadership team, effective Sept. 5, reporting directly to Crocs, Inc. EVP and CFO Anne Mehlman. Most recently, Murphy served as the managing director of consumer equity capital markets at leading investment bank Piper Sandler. She built her career on Wall Street as an equity research analyst, leading Piper Sandler’s global lifestyle brand coverage across nearly 30 stocks, including Crocs. “Erinn brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise, having spent several years covering footwear and consumer sectors,” Mehlman said in a statement. “Her deep understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and investor dynamics will further strengthen Crocs’ investor relations efforts and help drive the company’s strategic growth initiatives.”
Aug. 30, 2023: Rack Room Shoes has named Randolph Brodwin as its new SVP and chief legal officer. In his new capacity, Brodwin will lead Rack Room Shoes’ legal team, overseeing a range of legal aspects including compliance, strategic development, litigation, commercial transactions, intellectual property, privacy, and risk mitigation. Previously, Brodwin was VP and associate general counsel at Foot Locker, and most recently VP of legal affairs at Circle K. “We are thrilled to welcome Randy on board,” Mark Lardie, president and CEO of Rack Room Shoes, said in a statement. “His wealth of legal experience and strategic insight align seamlessly with our values and vision, and we are confident that he will play a pivotal role in our journey ahead.” Brodwin’s appointment comes as part of Rack Room Shoes’ strategic efforts to fortify its leadership team and continue positioning the company as a leader in the ever-evolving footwear market.
Aug. 28, 2023: OrthoLite on Monday announced two new hires to its sales management team in China. The comfort footwear solutions company named Chuck Yu as director of sales strategy, and John Liu as sales manager, both of whom will support OrthoLite’s brand partners in China. Yu has previously worked with brands like Converse and Saucony in China. Liu has worked with Coach, Converse and Yonex. “We are proud to add the leadership of Chuck and John to the OrthoLite China sales team,” said Michael Hsu, GM of OrthoLite China. “This region is now equipped with an even stronger network and a broader skill set to serve our brand partners globally. We look forward to growing OrthoLite China together with the new team.”
Aug. 24, 2023: Specialty outdoor retail-focused organization Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has named Dana Howe as its VP. In this new role, Howe — who joined the organization in September 2015 — will be tasked with overseeing overall organizational communications with the Grassroots community, engagement in strategic organizational initiatives and collaboration on internal team dynamics and leadership with its president, Gabe Maier. Howe’s first role at Grassroots iwas retailer relations manager, and she was elevated to director of retail membership in July 2020. Howe has perviously held outdoor industry management roles with Stonewear Designs/Great Trango Holdings and Elevation Outdoors magazine.
Aug. 24, 2023: Foot Locker executives announced a slew of new hires in the company’s conference call announcing earnings results for Q2 this week. The company has hired Kristin Bauer as chief supply chain officer and Jennifer Kraft as EVP and general counsel. Andrew Rauch joined the company as VP of global e-commerce and Avery Worthing-Jones joined as VP, digital product management. Slavka Jancikova also started a role as VP of marketing for Europe. Matthew Wright joined as VP and global creative director, leveraging experience with brands such as Nike, Levi’s and Urban Outfitters. Along with several changes to the merchandising unit, Foot Locker named Bryon Milburn as SVP and chief merchandising officer.
Aug. 23, 2023: Rothy’s has tapped Shaheen Mufti as VP of retail. In her new role, Mufti will support global retail and brand expansion as the company enters its next phase of growth, as well as oversee Rothy’s in-store customer experience and brick-and-mortar expansion. Prior to Rothy’s, Mufti held pivotal leadership roles at SoulCycle, Tory Burch, Adidas, and most recently, as the VP of retail at Reformation. “I’m excited to be joining a company where sustainability, design, and innovation are at the core of our brand ethos,” said Mufti. “As I prepare to lead our dedicated retail team, I’m committed to nurturing their talents and fostering a culture of collaboration. Together, we will deliver an exceptional retail experience to Rothy’s loyal customers while also exploring new opportunities. With 15 stores already in operation and more on the horizon, I’m excited about the journey ahead. It’s not solely about the products; it’s also about the people who will drive our success. I can’t wait to kickstart this adventure as we embark on this exciting new chapter.”
Aug. 21, 2023: Columbia Sportswear Co. has named Tom Gyles its new SVP of global distribution network in Canada. In this position, the company said in a statement that Gyles will oversee North America and Europe wholesale, retail and e-commerce company-owned distribution operations, which consists of 2,000 employees. Also, Columbia stated Gyles will be accountable for the global third-party logistics network, strategy and operations, which includes 3PL partnerships within the Asia Pacific region. Gyles, who has more than 20 years of logistics and distribution network experience, is based in Ontario and will report to EVP and chief supply chain officer Lisa Kulok. His most recent apparel industry experience includes 10 years at PVH Corp and Gap Inc.
Aug. 14, 2023: Columbia Sportswear Co. has hired Woody Blackford as the SVP and chief product officer for the Columbia brand. The hiring marks Blackford’s return to the Columbia brand, having worked there for nearly 14 years. While at Columbia, the brand credited Blackford in a statement as the inventor of its Omni-Heat technology. In this role, Columbia said Blackford will coordinate all product aspects of apparel, footwear, accessories and equipment for the Columbia brand. Most recently, Blackford served as the chief product officer and EVP of Canada Goose.
Aug. 4, 2023: Footwear veteran Dennis Driscoll has announced his retirement after 44 years in the industry. Driscoll is currently chief product officer at Xero Shoes, where he has expanded the brand’s flagship DIY sandal kits into a collection of more than 40 performance and casual styles, and helped grow the business grew 58 percent since joining in 2012, to $48.7 million in net revenue. Driscoll is slated to step down in September. “When I think of all the lucky things that have enabled Xero Shoes to become what it is today, at the top of the list is our chance meeting with Dennis,” CEO and co-founder Steven Sashen said in a statement. “He has been a mentor, a sounding board, a creative inspiration, a trusted friend and the backbone of our product.” Driscoll has an extensive background in footwear and sporting goods. Over the years, he’s held leadership positions at Avia, Wilson, Converse, Dr. Martens and Crocs. He will be replaced at Xero Shoes by Michael Pao, who joins as chief product officer starting July 24. Pao has previously worked in global product management and merchandising at Puma, Crocs, Clarks and Timberland.
July 31, 2023: Columbia Sportswear Co. has hired Tricia Shumavon as president of its Prana brand. She will assume the role in September 2023. Most recently, Shumavon was the global VP of women’s, men’s and kids’ sportswear apparel at Adidas. Shumavon also has had stints at Nike, The Gap and L Brands and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. “We are excited to have Tricia Shumavon join our team to lead the Prana brand,” Columbia Sportswear Co. SVP of emerging brands Craig Zanon said in a statement. “Tricia brings a wealth of experience to the job and a consumer-led mindset, which will help propel the Prana brand.”
July 24, 2023: Asics North America has tapped 15-year industry veteran Michael Dougherty for its VP of U.S. sales role. In this role, Asics said Dougherty will oversee U.S. wholesale sales. He has assumed the role effective today from the brand’s North American Headquarters in Boston. Most recently, Dougherty was a full-time consultant and contractor for Grendene Global Brands, which also included work as its GM of North America. He has also held positions with Clarks Originals and New Balance.
July 19, 2023: VF Corporation has announced that Andreas Olsson, current VP of sales at Vans for the EMEA region has been appointed as the new VP/GM of Vans EMEA, effective July 17. In this new role Andreas will report to both Kevin Bailey, global brand president of Vans, and Martino Scabbia Guerrini, EVP and president of EMEA, APAC & emerging brands. For the past 13 years, Olsson has served in a variety of leadership roles across The North Face and Vans, as well as director of digital accounts across all brands in the EMEA platform. Before returning to Vans to lead sales for the EMEA region, Olsson served as the GM for Dickies EMEA, driving strategic priorities, elevating the brand in the region, and unlocking new opportunities in the marketplace. “It is an honor to lead the regional business of what is widely recognized as one of the original action sports brands and a global icon of creative exploration,” Olsson said in a statement. “I am truly excited to contribute to Vans future growth and success and feel privileged to work alongside a team of exceptional individuals who inspire me every day.”
July 12, 2023: Target Corporation has named Lisa Roath as its new EVP and chief marketing officer. In her new role, Roath will lead the company’s core marketing functions, including creative, guest marketing strategy, retail brand experience, social media, paid media strategy and marketing strategy and operations. She joins Target’s leadership team effective immediately and will report to Cara Sylvester, EVP and chief guest experience officer. “Lisa’s detailed understanding of the retail landscape, her experience leading teams to deliver strong business results and her deep knowledge of and empathy for our guests make her the ideal candidate to steward Target’s brand and grow our relationship with guests,” Sylvester said. A 17-year Target veteran, Roath most recently served as SVP of food and beverage merchandising. Before that, she held a variety of leadership roles across the company, including on its pricing and promotions and merchandising teams. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead this best-in-class team as we work together to fuel those connections with our guests, driving deeper loyalty and continued sales growth for years to come,” Roath added.
June 27, 2023: REI Co-op has promoted a pair of finance and supply chain team leaders. The retailer has elevated Michelle Kirkpatrick — who most recently served as its corporate controller and divisional VP of Finance — to VP, controller. In the role, REI said Kirkpatrick will oversee its accounting, treasury, procurement and tax teams. Also, REI said she will lead its strategic enterprise resource planning (ERP) initiative. REI has also promoted Ruchi Christensen to VP of distribution and fulfillment operations. In her new position, the retailer said Christensen will provide strategic direction to its fulfillment centers and supply chain teams to optimize productivity, inventory management, business readiness and financial results.
June 26, 2023: Rihanna has stepped down from her role as CEO of Savage X Fenty, her lingerie brand co-owned with investors such as LVMH. According to Vogue Business, former Anthropologie Group CEO Hillary Super will take over the role, which Rihanna has held since 2018. “It’s been beautiful to see our vision for Savage X Fenty impact the industry at such an incredible magnitude over the last five years,” Rihanna told Vogue Business. “This is just the beginning for us, and we’re going to continue to expand in ways that always connect with the consumer.”
June 19, 2023: Puma has named Shirley Li as general manager in China. She joined Puma in early 2023 as commercial director and previously worked as VP of wholesale at Adidas. The promotion represent’s Puma’s committments to growing its business in China. David Lu, general manager of retail operations at Levi’s, will replace Shirley as commercial director. These changes are effective July 1. “I am very excited that we will open a new chapter for Puma China under the new leadership of Shirley,” said Arne Freundt, Puma CEO.
June 16, 2023: Mark Goldston, general partner of Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL), has been named executive chairman of The Beachbody Company’s (BODi) board of directors. Mark, father to APL cofounders Adam and Ryan Goldston, served as the CMO of Reebok for a year in 1988, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also served as the president of L.A. Gear for an almost three-year stint ending in 1994. He was brought into the health and wellness company in part due to his experience in turnaround efforts, according to a release. “I felt strongly about pursuing Mark given his unique skills and experience, and I am thrilled to welcome Mark to BODi as our new Executive Chairman” said Carl Daikeler, BODi’s cofounder and CEO.
June 8, 2023: Carhartt has named Tara Roemke as VP of global merchandising. With more than 20 years of product management and merchandising experience, Roemke will serve as the general manager of Carhartt’s Men’s and Carhartt Company Gear (uniform B2B & personal protective equipment (PPE)) businesses. She will report to Susan Hennike, Carhartt’s chief brand officer. In her role, Roemke is responsible for growing and developing the Men’s workwear and PPE product strategies, while identifying marketplace opportunities to meet the current and future needs of Carhartt consumers and hardworking people across the globe. She will lead the Men’s merchandising team, and collaborate cross-functionally with the product, brand and strategy teams, and all business units, to ensure each season’s product assortment and key stories are brought to market. Roemke joins Carhartt after 13 years at Ariat International where she most recently served as VP of apparel and denim product management. Before joining Ariat International, Roemke spent four years at Levi Strauss and two years at Gap Inc.
May 22, 2023: Brooks has promoted Carson Caprara, who has been with the company since 2005, to SVP of footwear. In his new role, the company said Caprara will lead footwear design, development, product management and merchandising for its global business. In 2022, Brooks exceeded $1.2 billion in revenue. Caprara joined Brooks in 2005 as a field marketing representative, and he most recently served as VP of footwear product management and merchandising. Caprara has been at the forefront of several Brooks initiatives and innovations, including the launch of its innovation-accelerator BlueLine Lab. Also, Brooks said via statement that alongside VP of footwear research and development Pete Humphrey, Caprara was instrumental in developing the brand’s “focus on seamlessly incorporating the mechanics of bodies in motion and the different experiences runners crave in performance product.” This led to performance innovations such as GuideRails and GlideRoll technologies.
May 17, 2023: Torrid Holdings Inc. CFO and COO Tim Martin has resigned to pursue other opportunities, the company announced. He will remain with the company until May 26. SVP of finance and investor relations Paula Dempsey will become interim CFO until a successor is named. CTO Hyon Park will lead supply chain operations and CEO Lisa Harper will helm stores and real estate operations. “We appreciate Tim’s leadership and his many contributions to our organization. We thank him and wish him well,” said Harper in a statement.
May 11, 2023: JD Sports Fashion Plc has hired Dominic Platt as its next CFO, and also appointed him to its board. The retailer said Platt is expected to join later this year. Platt is currently CFO of BGL Group, a leading digital distributor of financial services in the U.K. and owner of Compare the Market, and previously held senior finance roles at Darty Plc and Cable and Wireless Plc. Current CFO Neil Greenhalgh will leave in the summer after completed the publication of its Annual Report and ensuring an orderly transition of his responsibilities is in place.
May 11, 2023: Fanatics has named Krishna Rao as the new CFO of Fanatics Commerce. He most recently served as CFO of healthcare payments platform Cedar and was previously the global head of corporate and business development for Airbnb. He will oversee finance and strategic planning for the Fanatics’ Commerce business and will report to Fanatics Commerce CEO and Fanatics vice chairman Doug Mack.
May 10, 2023: VF Corporation has announced new leadership promotions to its EMEA brand leadership team. Andreas Olsson, who previously served as general manager of Dickies EMEA, has been named VP Sales, Vans EMEA. Werner Bossenmaier, who previously served as VP of marketplace, Timberland EMEA, will succeed Olsson as general manager of Dickies EMEA. “We are proud to announce Andreas’ and Werner’s promotions to these important leadership roles in EMEA. At VF, we believe in investing in our talent, and these appointments are a testament to our commitment to talent growth and development,” said Martino Scabbia Guerrini, EVP, president EMEA, APAC and emerging brands. “Their wealth of experience and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the success of our business, as we continue to aim for growth and expansion.”
May 9, 2023: Nike has named Maria Henry to its board of directors. She served as CFO of Kimberly-Clark Corporation between April 2015 and April 2022 and as the company’s EVP and senior advisor between April 2022 and September 2022, when she retired. She previously served as CFO of The Hillshire Brands Company. “Maria’s strong global and financial leadership, as well as her strategic contributions across multiple industries, make her an outstanding addition to our board,” said Mark Parker, executive chairman of Nike, Inc. “We look forward to working with Maria during an exciting time for Nike where we see unprecedented brand strength and great opportunity for future growth.”
May 8, 2023: Altra Running has appointed Joe Toth to its of North America head of sales role. The VF Corp.-owned brand said in a statement that Toth will lead its North American sales strategy, with responsibility for the wholesale channel in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Prior to joining Altra, Toth — who has more than 20 years of industry experience — worked at Saucony for roughly 10 years, most recently serving as its VP of sales. Aside from Toth, Altra also announced it has named Michael Dobbs its Eastern U.S. sales manager. According to Altra, Dobbs — a 15-year footwear industry veteran — will be tasked with managing its team of field sales reps and guiding the direction of the U.S. wholesale channel throughout the Eastern region.
May 3, 2023: Skechers has promoted Richard Parker to managing director of the UK and Ireland. He has served 22 years at the comfort footwear brand and most recently served as the national sales manager for Skechers UK and Ireland. Former managing director Peter Youell has transitioned into an advisor role to work on certain international projects.
May 2, 2023: Guess?, Inc. has appointed Markus Neubrand as CFO, effective August 1. He currently serves as CFO of MCM Worldwide. He succeeds Dennis Secor, who will remain on as EVP until March 2024. Fabrice Benarouche has also been promoted to SVP finance, investor relations and chief accounting officer, effective immediately.
April 27, 2023: Fanatics has named Deborah Crawford as its new SVP, head of investor relations. She will report to Fanatics CFO Glenn H. Schiffman. Crawford joins Fanatics after a 10 year tenure at Meta, where she most recently served as VP, head of investor relations. She also held roles at Ancestry.com and Netflix. “As we continue to grow and mature as a global organization, getting our story right with the investor community remains critical,” said Schiffman in a statement.
April 20, 2023: JCPenney has promoted Katie Mullen to chief customer officer. Previously serving as the retailer’s chief digital officer, Mullen will continue to oversee e-commerce strategy and omnichannel development, with an added emphasis on customer marketing, engagement, analytics and more. According to JCPenney, Mullen will lead the company’s efforts to deliver an end-to-end integrated shopping experience that is relevant for today’s customers. A key focus of this new role is driving innovation in digital, data and analytics to transform how customers experience JCPenney. “A core part of JCPenney’s overarching transformation strategy and our shift back to the basics has been a relentless focus on our customer’s needs,” Marc Rosen, CEO of JCPenney, said in a statement. “Creating space for Katie to link our digital technology, customer insights and personalization capabilities and to bring it to life through an integrated, end-to-end customer experience is a natural evolution of her role and will help take us to the next level.” Prior to joining JCPenney, Mullen served as the chief digital officer at Neiman Marcus Group.
April 20, 2023: Farfetch has named Nick Tran as its new chief marketing officer. Tran will be based in London and will report to chief marketplace officer, Edward Sabbagh, and will oversee all global marketing functions for Farfetch Marketplaces. Most recently, Tran served as global head of marketing at TikTok, where he oversaw the company’s B2C marketing organization, including global brand strategy, strategic partnerships, paid media, social media, and organic content. Currently, he is also a Henry Crown Fellow, contributing to the program run by The Aspen Institute, a non-profit organization that fosters young business leaders. Previously, he served in executive marketing positions at Samsung and Hulu. “The relationship between the consumer and brands continues to evolve and it’s more important than ever to create lasting and palpable impressions,” Tran said in a statement. “This is an exciting time to be joining Farfetch and be able to shape the connections between the curators, creators, and customers of luxury fashion. I’m excited to join the Farfetch rocketship and help take the brand to all-new heights.”
April 18, 2023: OrthoLite is bolstering the team for its OrthoLite Circl division. The company announced that Marc Kronenberg has been named development and commercialization director for Circl, a new eco-friendly foam technology that is plastics-free, recyclable, biodegradable and industrially compostable. Kronenberg — who will be based in Circl’s headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — brings more than two decades of experience in global footwear manufacturing, for companies such as Adidas, Anta and Caleres. In his new role, he will be committed to bringing the Cirql technology to market with OrthoLite’s 500 global footwear brand partners. To support those efforts, the company also recently hired Juan Cutina as sales director of OrthoLite Cirql.
April 14, 2023: JD Sports Fashion Plc has appointed Theresa Casey to the role of general counsel and company secretary of JD, effective April 11. Casey joined the company from the Open Banking Implementation Entity, where she was general counsel. She also previously spent seven years as general counsel and company secretary at N Brown Group Plc until March 2022.
April 13, 2023: Tapestry Inc. announced on Thursday that Alan Lau has been appointed to its board of directors. The appointment of Mr. Lau to the board brings the membership to eleven. Lau current serves as chief business officer for Animoca Brands, where he oversees and provides support to the company’s more than 340 portfolio companies and leads M&A and business development. Before joining Animoca Brands, Lau was chairman and CEO of Tencent WeSure, a fintech company that he co-founded to offer disruptive, affordable Internet insurance to WeChat users. He has also held roles at Citibank and McKinsey & Company. Joanne Crevoiserat, CEO of Tapestry said in a statement: “As we continue to further refine our digital strategy across our portfolio of brands, Alan’s broad experience in engaging consumers across digital channels, leveraging technology and data analytics, as well as deep knowledge of the important China market, will be invaluable assets.”
April 6, 2023: Nike, Inc. has promoted KeJuan Wilkins, currently the VP of enterprise communications, to the role of EVP, chief communications officer, effective June 1. In his new role, Wilkins will lead all global corporate, consumer, and employee communications for Nike, Inc., the company said in a statement. He succeeds Nigel Powell, the company’s long-time EVP, chief communications officer, who will retire this summer. “KeJuan is a best-in-class communications expert who is well poised to help lead us into Nike’s next growth phase,” John Donahoe, president and CEO of Nike, Inc., said in a statement. “His knowledge, insights, and forward-thinking will be great assets to our executive leadership team.” As a member of the company’s executive leadership team, Wilkins will report directly to Donahoe. Wilkins, a 17-year veteran of the company, most recently led corporate and employee communications globally for Nike. He has previously led communications for Nike’s North America geography and the Jordan Brand. Before Nike, Wilkins held roles in the athletic footwear industry and with the New York Knicks.
March 31, 2023: Boot Barn announced on Friday that Gregory V. Hackman, EVP and chief operating officer, plans to retire this upcoming June. Before taking on his current role in November 2021, Hackman previously served as EVP, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer from August 2020 through October 2021; and as chief financial officer and secretary from January 2015 through August 2020. In a statement, Jim Conroy, president and CEO of Boot Barn, thanked Hackman for his eight years of service and highlighted some of his successes. “During his tenure, our store count increased from 150 stores to nearly 350 stores, and our revenue has grown by more than $1 billion,” Conroy said. “He has had a profound impact on the evolution of the company and more importantly on the personal and career development of many executives.” Hackman added, “I am very grateful that I was able to conclude my retail career at Boot Barn and feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to partner with Jim in leading one of the fastest growing retail brands in the country. I will miss the company and the entire team but will reflect on my eight years with Boot Barn fondly.”
March 30, 2023: The Athlete’s Foot has tapped Beth Greenfield as lead merchandiser and buyer, effective March 27. Greenfield has over 25 years of extensive experience in retail, buying, and merchandising at brands including Champion, Puma, Footlocker, and Citi Trends. In her new role, Greenfield will report directly to Matthew Lafone, president and GM of Americas, and will work closely with The Athlete’s Foot brand and operating partners to develop and implement regional product strategies, identify market trends, and drive engagement in their communities. Greenfield will also lead the hyper-localization of The Athlete’s Foot product offerings to better serve the brand’s customers and partners.
March 30, 2023: Capri Holdings Limited, which owns Versace, Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors, has named Mahesh Madhavan to the board of directors, effective March 30. He is the CEO of Bacardi Limited and has served at the spirits company for over over 25 years. “It is an incredible privilege to join Capri Holdings Board of Directors,” said Madhavan in a statement. “Capri Holdings is comprised of three iconic brands, and I am proud to be a part of the group’s continued success. I look forward to working with the Board to help Capri continue to execute on their growth strategy globally.”
March 16, 2023: Shoe Carnival has named Erik Gast as the company’s EVP, chief financial officer, effective April 24. He joins the footwear retailer from Fleet Farm Group, where he served as EVP and CFO since 2020. Prior to that, he held roles at Great Wolf Resorts, Pilot Travel Centers, Family Dollar and Ace Hardware. At Shoe Carnival, he succeeds W. Kerry Jackson who is retiring.
March 9, 2023: JD Sports Fashion Plc has announced Ian Dyson will be appointed as a non-executive director to its board of directors. The appointment will take effect today. Dyson will join the retailer’s Audit and Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee. “I am delighted to welcome Ian to the JD Board. He brings a wealth of relevant experience and insight to our deliberations. The appointment of Ian is further progress towards strengthening the board’s broader PLC experience base,” board chair Andrew Higginson said in a statement. Currently, Dyson is the chair of the board at consumer electronics company Currys Plc, and in the past was the senior independent director at ASOS Plc, a senior independent director at Flutter Entertainment Plc and a non-executive director of Intercontinental Hotels Group Plc and SSP Group Plc.
March 8, 2023: PVH Corp. has named Amber (McCasland) McCann as EVP and chief communications officer, effective April 6. In her new role, McCann will lead all aspects of PVH’s global internal and external communications strategy and report to Stefan Larsson, CEO of PVH Corp. McCann most recently as VP of global brand and communications at Poshmark, where she guided the company’s global communications strategy through its IPO in 2021 and acquisition by Naver Corp. in 2023. Previously she spent 10 years in senior communications roles at Levi Strauss & Co. and has also held positions at Gap, Inc. and Yahoo! earlier in her career. “Amber has an impressive track record as an innovative brand and corporate communications leader with international experience at the intersection of fashion, consumer, and technology,” said Larsson in a statement. “As we continue to execute the PVH+ Plan and move our Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands closer to the consumer than ever before, Amber’s expertise working with iconic brands on a global scale will help bring our vision to life for all stakeholders.”
March 7, 2023: Roots has tapped Joey Gollish as a creative director in residence for a period expected to extend through 2025. This appointment represents the first time in Roots almost 50-year history that it has welcomed an outside creative to the brand. During his tenure, Gollish will work with Karuna Scheinfeld, chief product officer, who leads the creative and design teams. Gollish, the founder and creative director of the fashion label Mr. Saturday, will continue to helm its design and creative direction during this period. “As we embark on our 50th year, we understand the importance of staying innovative and forward-looking in today’s ever-changing market,” Roots president and CEO Meghan Roach said in a statement. “Through our collaboration with Mr. Saturday in December 2022, we found that Joey had a deep love for the Roots brand and a unique perspective that will support our long-term objective of increasing the brand’s global appeal. We look forward to the exciting opportunities this additional creative influence will bring to Roots.”
March 6, 2023: Express, Inc. has announced the retirement of its president and chief operating officer Matthew Moellering, effective May 5. The company said on Friday that it has retained executive search and leadership advisory firm Spencer Stuart to conduct an external search for Moellering’s replacement. Moellering has been with Express since 2003 and was appointed to his current position in September 2019. He served as interim CFO from October 2021 to March 2022 and interim CEO and president from January – June 2019; was appointed as COO in 2011 and previously served as CAO & CFO from 2009 to 2011, and CFO from 2007 to 2009. Prior to joining the company, he held leadership roles at Procter & Gamble from 1995 to 2003. “Matt has been an invaluable thought partner to me over the last three years, offering the full breadth of his experience and perspective, and I appreciate his conviction for our corporate strategy and his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for his successor,” said CEO Tim Baxter.
Feb. 23, 2023: Kiton’s CEO Antonio De Matteis has been named Pitti Immagine’s new president. He succeeds Claudio Marenzi, Herno’s president and CEO, who held the role since 2017. “I want to thank the president who preceded me and outgoing members of the board for the great achievements over the past years that contributed to Pitti Immagine’s strength, wide-ranging offer and competitiveness,” De Matteis said. “It’s an honor to be named president of such an important event globally and with support from the new board I’m committed to continue along the same trajectory.” The board confirmed Antonella Mani as VP and members Raffaello Napoleone, current CEO of Pitti Immagine, and Niccolò Ricci. The trade show operator is best known for leading menswear trade fair Pitti Uomo, in addition to Pitti Filati, Pitti Bimbo and Pitti Fragranze dedicated to yarnmakers, childrenswear and fragrances, respectively. It also operates Taste centered on food, Testo on books, and Super on contemporary fashion.
Feb. 23, 2023: Farfetch Limited announced on Thursday that Elliot Jordan will step down by the end of the year, after more than eight years as CFO. The company said in a statement that Jordan has agreed to serve as CFO through the end of 2023 while the company initiates a search to identify his successor. Since joining the company in 2015, Jordan has helped Farfetch grown its annual GMV from $380 million to $4.1 billion between 2015 and 2022. He has also helped guide Farfetch through its transformation from a private company to a publicly traded company, including its listing on the New York Stock Exchange in Sep. 2018. “We are some way off from saying our ‘goodbyes’ but his legacy will be formidable finance and business services teams that are part of a company that we believe is extremely well placed to continue to lead the industry and drive profitable growth – and Elliot has been an important building block of our success,” said Farfetch founder, chairman and CEO José Neves in a statement.
Jan. 31, 2023: Under Armour has appointed Carolyn Everson and Patrick Whitesell to its board of directors, effective Feb. 1. The company also announced that board member Harvey Sanders will retire from his role on March 31. Everson currently serves as a senior advisor for private equity firm Permira and previously served as president of Instacart. Whitesell has served as the executive chairman of Endeavor Group Holdings since October 2017 and is also on the board of Learfield.
Jan. 25, 2023: PVH Corp. has named Donald Kohler as president of Calvin Klein Americas, effective March 13. He previously led the Americas region for brands such as Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo and Diesel. He will report to Stefan Larsson, CEO of PVH Corp. “As we continue to build the right team to execute our PVH+ Plan, I am excited to have a strong operator like Donald join PVH to lead our Calvin Klein business in the Americas,” Larsson said.
Jan. 24, 2023: The Athlete’s Foot has announced two two key executive promotions. Darius Billings, a 15-year employee of The Athlete’s Foot, has been elevated to VP of marketing: community engagement and StAART, and Cassidy Dansberry has been promoted to marketing manager. Both promotions are effective immediately. Billings will report to Matthew Lafone, president and GM of Americas at The Athlete’s Foot, and Dansberry will report to Billings. What’s more, The Athlete’s Foot announced it has added two new positions to its marketing team: social media coordinator and marketing coordinator.
Jan. 20, 2023: Vince Holding Corp. announced that David Stefko has decided to retire as CFO, effective Feb. 10, though he will stay on in an advisory role until May to help smooth the transition for his successor, Amy Levy, currently SVP of financial planning & analysis and investor relations. Levy joined the Vince organization in 2016 and in her latest role oversaw multiple functions, including treasury, FP&A, investor relations and all facets of retail, wholesale and corporate planning. She is a veteran of the fashion industry, having previously served as a member of the finance team at Michael Kors and Esprit.
Jan. 19, 2023: Levi Strauss & Co. has named Jason Gowans as SVP and chief digital officer, effective Feb. 6. He will oversee the company’s e-commerce and digital go-to-market strategy and will report to Michelle Gass, president of Levi. Gowans previously spent 10 years at Nordstrom, where he served in various roles across marketing, data science and digital. He was mot recently the SVP of digital commerce.
Jan. 12, 2023: Hanesbrands Inc. CFO Michael Dastugue will resign in February for “family reasons,” the company announced on Thursday. Scott Lewis, the company’s chief accounting officer and controller, will serve as interim CFO until a successor is named. “On behalf of our Board, our management team and the entire Hanesbrands family, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Michael for his leadership and significant contributions to our Company,” Hanesbrands CEO Steve Bratspies said in a statement.
Jan. 11, 2023: Canadian retailer The Bay has announced that Iain Nairn, president and CEO of The Bay will retire this month. As such, Sophia Hwang-Judiesch has been appointed president of The Bay and Hudson’s Bay, comprising both the store and digital businesses. Hwang-Judiesch was appointed president of Hudson’s Bay in September 2022, leading the Hudson’s Bay store organization, including the execution of the company’s in-store digital selling transformation, customer experience and store optimization strategy. Nairn’s retirement culminates a 46-year career in retailing. Since joining The Bay, he oversaw a digital transformation of the business, including the launch of Marketplace, which brought more than 900 new sellers to thebay.com. He also launched Hudson’s Bay Foundation Charter for Change, and significantly advanced The Bay’s Truth & Reconciliation work, meeting with communities and building relationships with Indigenous organizations.
Jan. 9, 2023: VF Corp., which owns Vans, The North Face and Timberland, has made three new appointments to its EMEA leadership team. Martino Scabbia Guerrini‘s role has been expanded to EVP, resident EMEA, APAC & emerging brands, adding the APAC region to his role. Mariano Alonso, current GM of Timberland EMEA, will become GM of The North Face EMEA. Nina Flood, currently president of VF Global Packs (Eastpak, JanSport, and Kipling), will succeed Alonso as GM of Timberland EMEA.
Jan. 9, 2023: The Sports & Fitness Industry Association announced that Clarks Inc. CEO Jonathan Ram was reelected as chairman of the SFIA board of directors for the 2023 term. Voting took place at the group’s Dec. 15 annual meeting. In addition, Adam Franklin, president of Franklin Sports, and Richard Sullivan, president & CEO of Asics North America, were newly elected to the board, and six other members were reelected, all for three-year terms. The board also includes 11 more members who are serving staggered terms.
Jan. 5, 2023: Nordstrom has appointed Atticus Tysen to its Board of Directors. He currently serves as SVP of product development, chief information security and fraud prevention officer at Intuit, where he oversees IT functions as well as cybersecurity and fraud prevention operations. “Atticus is a proven leader with decades of experience in the technology and cybersecurity space,” said Brad Tilden, chairman of the Nordstrom Board.
Jan. 5, 2023: Merrell has tapped Jessica Adler to fill its VP of U.S. sales role. In this position, Merrell said Adler will be tasked with leading the evolution of its wholesale strategy stateside. Adler will report directly to Chris Hufnagel, global brand president of Merrell, and will also join the brand’s senior leadership team. Prior to joining Merrell, Adler — whose retail career spans nearly 20 years — has held sales leadership roles over the past 10 years with lifestyle brands including Levi Strauss & Co., Psycho Bunny and Diesel USA. “Jessica is a tremendous addition to the Merrell team. She brings a collaborative leadership approach and depth of retail experience that builds strong customer partnerships and brand affinity and growth,” Hufnagel said in a statement. “Having a dynamic, accomplished leader like Jessica on our team will continue to help Merrell advance our vision for the brand and achieve our growth aspirations.”
Top Industry Moves from 2022
Dec. 14, 2022: PVH Corp. has tapped Eva Serrano as global brand president of Calvin Klein. Serrano, a seasoned Inditex group veteran, will join the company in March 2023 and report to Stefan Larsson, CEO of PVH Corp. Serrano joins PVH and Calvin Klein with 20 years of leadership experience with Zara and the Inditex group. Serrano began her career in Europe, where she was part of the international commercial development for Zara Europe before assuming the international commercial director position for Asia Pacific and playing a key role in expanding growth in the region. She most recently served as president for Inditex Greater China, where she was responsible for leading that rapidly growing market. “Eva deeply understands the disruptive forces in our industry and how to connect a brand’s core value proposition to where the consumer is going,” said Larsson in a statement. “Her experience will be critical in unlocking Calvin Klein’s full global potential, and her appointment is an important next step in our continuing execution of the PVH+ Plan, our multi-year growth plan.”
Nov. 16, 2022: The TJX Companies, Inc. has promoted John Klinger to EVP and CFO, effective Jan. 29, 2023. In his new role, Klinger will oversee corporate finance for TJX, including audit, treasury, tax, and investor relations. He will continue to report to Scott Goldenberg who has been CFO since 2012. Goldenberg will continue as SEVP of finance, with responsibility for certain other corporate functions, including global communications, risk management, new business development, and financial aspects of real estate. Klinger joined TJX in 2000 as a manager of business analysis for Marmaxx. He held various finance positions with increasing responsibility within HomeGoods and Marmaxx before being promoted to VP and divisional CFO for AJWright in 2007. In 2011, he became VP of corporate finance and was promoted to SVP and divisional CFO for TJX Europe later that year. He returned to the U.S. in 2015 to assume the role of SVP and corporate controller. In April 2019, Klinger was named EVP and corporate controller. Prior to joining TJX, Klinger was with the Stride Rite company starting in 1994. He held various finance roles, eventually becoming the director of finance in 1998.
Oct. 18, 2022: Macy’s has named longtime exec Julie Walsh as senior vice president, general business manager of Center Core and Beauty. Walsh has worked at Macy’s for more than 20 years and has held various leadership positions, including experience in fine jewelry, prestige cosmetics and most recently, serving as Macy’s vice president, divisional business manager for fragrances. In her new role, Walsh will be responsible for leading and driving the Center Core and Beauty merchandise organization which include beauty, jewelry, handbags, shoes and accessories. She will report to Macy’s chief merchandising officer Nata Dvir. “I am so excited to share Julie’s promotion. As a member of our merchant organization for over two decades, we have watched her grow in her career and excel in advancing our strategy,” Dvir said. “I am confident that her leadership, collaborative approach and ability to create meaningful experiences in-store and online through best-in-class product offerings will continue to help drive this business forward.”
Sept. 12, 2022: Vans has hired Marissa Pardini as its chief product and merchandising officer. Pardini will step into the role on Dec. 1. In the position, Vans said Pardini will be tasked with leading global product, which includes apparel and footwear, as well as its merchandising function “as the brand looks to further its objective to be consumer-minded, retail-centric and hyper-digital brand.” Most recently, Pardini served as the VP and GM of The North Face Americas region, a role she’s held since 2020.
Aug. 30, 2022: New Balance has named Romina Bongiovanni as its global director of international marketing, where she will oversee the brand’s marketing strategy as part of the global leadership team. She previously served as the company’s director of global communications and entertainment. She replaces Tim Malone, who left the role to join Crocs as its VP of global integrated marketing.
July 11, 2022: Matchesfashion is set to welcome its fourth CEO in five years, according to a report from FN sister publication WWD. The e-commerce company has reportedly tapped Nick Beighton, who spent much of his career at fast-fashion giant Asos, to the top job. He will succeed Paolo De Cesare, who joined Matchesfashion less than a year ago, as CEO. Matchesfashion was acquired in September 2017 by Apax Partners at a reported valuation of $1 billion after a bidding frenzy by a number of private equity investors, including Permira and KKR.
Best of Footwear News
