OrthoLite has hired Raj Santhana as vice president of operational excellence.

Santhana, who is part of OrthoLite’s global operations management team, will be responsible for manufacturing excellence and innovation in his new role, as well as automation and digital transformation. The leading insole manufacturer also stated Santhana will work with its Global Foam Innovation Team in a new satellite office, which is located in Singapore.

Most recently, Santhana served as the global head of quality at Bata in Singapore. Before Bata, he was at Adidas for more than seven years, ending his time with the Three Stripes as its director of quality footwear forVietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.

“In addition to his vast expertise in the footwear industry, Raj holds two engineering degrees and he will be critical to driving operational excellence programs for our global team of 3,200 people at OrthoLite’s owned manufacturing facilities around the world,” OrthoLite chief operating officer Richard Bevan said in a statement.

Aside from Santhana, OrthoLite announced another personnel move, the promotion of Shaw Kiat Phua to vice president of global foaming. In this role, the company stated he will lead the strategic direction for OrthoLite PU material development with a focus on sustainable innovations in footwear, and will continue to report to Bevan.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Artémis, the Pinault family’s holding company, has named Marie Leblanc chief executive officer of Courrèges, effective Nov. 4.

The French executive, who recently stepped down as CEO of Victoria Beckham, succeeds Adrien Da Maia, who held the post since 2020. She is charged with working alongside creative director Nicolas Di Felice to spearhead the next phase of growth for the Space Age label, which is expanding its retail network after doubling revenues last year.

“Marie’s unique talent lies in her ability to fully immerse herself in design, by working in tandem with the artistic director, to ensure constant coherence between design and brand identity, while developing an operational strategy which supports and promotes this design,” François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering and Artémis, said in a statement.

“This is precisely what Courrèges needs to continue its growth trajectory,” he added, while thanking Da Maia for leading the revival of the brand. The outgoing CEO now intends to pursue an entrepreneurial project, Artémis said.

“I am very honored to join Courrèges, whose modernity, elegance and audacity have marked the history of fashion,” Leblanc stated.

“Courrèges embodies a clear message, combining know-how and high standards with customer reality. I look forward to meeting the teams and working with them to deploy the brand’s great potential,” she added.

During her tenure at Victoria Beckham, Leblanc helped to transform the company into a profitable lifestyle brand. She oversaw a full brand repositioning, and the shift to showing seasonal collections during Paris Fashion Week.

Victoria Beckham, founder and creative director, earlier this month described Leblanc as “the most incredible partner and CEO, and I am so grateful to have had such a strong, intelligent and inspiring woman by my side.” 

Leblanc joined Victoria Beckham in 2018, having previously headed women’s fashion and brand positioning for department store Printemps in Paris. She has also worked in design and collection development at Isabel Marant and Celine, respectively, and at Sonia Rykiel.

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.

Oct. 18, 2024: Baffin has hired Austin Sedlbauer as its new lead designer. Sedlbauer joins Baffin after a successful tenure as lead designer at Cougar Shoes, which was just acquired by Pajar Canada. With extensive experience in footwear design and a strong understanding of materials and consumer preferences, Sedlbauer is set to elevate Baffin’s already robust product line. His role will be pivotal in refining the brand’s design philosophy and ensuring that Baffin remains at the forefront of technical advancements and market trends. “Welcoming Austin to our team is not just a strategic move; his historical ties reinforce our legacy,” Mark Hubner, senior vice-president at Baffin, said. “The experience and innovative vision he brings will lend a fresh perspective to our product offerings, strengthening our market position. We are excited to see how his leadership will drive technical advancements and elevate our design aesthetics as we look to the future.”

Oct. 15, 2024: Footasylum has made two executive moves. The UK-based retailer appointed Will Van Rensburg as chief commercial officer and Glen Wilkinson as senior buying director. These appointments follow the arrival of David Pujolar as CEO in March 2024. Since joining, Pujolar has realigned the organization and strengthened its executive leadership team. Van Rensburg brings a wealth of experience from key leadership roles at prominent retailers, including Clarks Ltd, Under Armour, PVH, and Aldi. With extensive expertise in both international and UK omnichannel retailing, Van Rensburg is well-versed in all retail channels, including stores, e-commerce, wholesale, and franchising. He has also successfully implemented loyalty programs in previous roles. In his position as chief commercial officer, he will oversee the commercial operations of the business and play a pivotal role in executing the company’s strategy to drive future growth and development. Wilkinson brings over 25 years of industry knowledge, having held senior roles at companies including New Balance, Reebok, and most recently AW LAB. With extensive international expertise and a proven track record in the USA, UK, Netherlands, and Italy, Wilkinson will play a crucial role in advancing Footasylum’s buying strategy in collaboration with the company’s chief product officer.

Sept. 13, 2024: JD Sports Fashion Plc has appointed Prama Bhatt as a non-executive director on its board, effective Sept. 23, 2024. Bhatt, who spent several years at companies Kenneth Cole Productions, Toys R Us and Ulta Beauty Inc., will join the nominations committee and the remuneration committee. “Following the acquisition of Hibbett Inc. earlier this year and recommendations made as part of the Board’s recent external evaluation, the Board undertook a thorough search process, led by the Nominations Committee and using an external search firm, to recruit a US based Non-Executive Director to add that perspective and insight to Board discussions,” said board chair Andrew Higginson in a statement. “Prama brings a wealth of relevant experience to the Board and, in particular, a deep understanding of the U.S. retail landscape. “

Aug. 13, 2024: Nonprofit relief organization Soles4Souls has named Joe Njoroge as its new chief financial officer. He replaces Robert Adams-Ghee, who passed away in March after a sudden illness. Njoroge previously served as CFO of nonprofit Climate Central, Inc. and CFO of American Friends Service Committee. “After an intense, nationwide search where hundreds of talented people applied for the CFO role, we believe Joe is the right person at the right time,” said Soles4Souls president and chief executive officer Buddy Teaster. “As we grow to serve more people to achieve our $1 billion of economic impact goal, Joe’s global perspective and deep financial expertise will ensure we do that in the most responsible, effective way possible. He’s going to be an amazing addition to the S4S team!”

Aug. 7, 2024: Designer Brands Inc. has named John W. Atkinson to its board of directors, effective Aug. 1, 2024. He was a member of the audit committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee and is a retired audit partner from KPMG’s Cincinnati office. “John will be a valuable addition to the Designer Brands Board, and our leadership team looks forward to his insights,” said DBI chief executive officer Doug Howe in a statement. “We remain fully focused on continuous improvement, both in our organization’s agility and in the profitability of our overall business. John brings deep retail and financial expertise that we expect to deliver quick and lasting impact on those goals.”

Aug. 5, 2024: Adidas executive board member for global operations Martin Shankland is leaving the company after 27 years, effective Aug. 10, 2024. Senior vice president of sourcing Hoa Ly will oversee sourcing operations at Adidas and chief financial officer Harm Ohlmeyer will oversee supply chain and tech. “On behalf of the entire Supervisory Board, I would like to congratulate Martin on his career at our company and thank him for his passion, commitment, and leadership throughout the past 27 years. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors,” said Thomas Rabe, chairman of the supervisory board of Adidas.

July 24, 2024: Recovery footwear company Oofos has tapped Erin Flynn to serve as its new head of sales. A 20-year footwear veteran, Flynn has worked at companies such as Adidas, Fila and Saucony. “By pioneering a category that’s disrupting the footwear industry, setting the standard for product innovation to fuel active recovery for athletes and the broader population, and living a brand ethos that positively impacts millions of lives through initiatives such as Project Pink and the Pan Mass Challenge, Oofos demonstrates every day that profits and purpose truly can co-exist,” said Flynn in a statement.

July 18, 2024: Allbirds has named Jason Israel as its vice president of design, reporting to chief design officer Adrian Nyman. Israel most recently worked at Salomon as global creative director. Both Israel and Nyman will work with color and materials leader Ailsa Cordon-Michell, who also recently joined the sustainable shoe company. “We are thrilled to have Jason join our design team at this pivotal time for Allbirds, when product and storytelling are paramount to our return to growth,” said Allbirds chief executive officer Joe Vernachio in a statement. “He is already bringing a passion for beautiful and innovative design to the business. We look forward to benefiting from his expertise as we focus on our new product strategy that builds upon Allbirds’ core product franchises.”

July 2, 2024: Authentic Brands Group has named Jeff Daggett as its senior vice president, head of Japan. In this role, Daggett will bolster the brand house’s presence and growth in the Japanese market. He previously worked brands such as Gap, Levi’s, Nike and Vodafone. “Jeff’s extensive industry experience and proven track record make him an ideal leader to drive Authentic’s expansion across Japan,” said Authentic’s regional president, APAC, Wesley Chu. “We are excited to welcome his strategic vision and comprehensive understanding of the market, which will not only enhance the visibility of our brands, but also fuel significant growth across this pivotal market.”

May 2, 2024: Columbia Sportswear Co. has hired Michael Minter as the vice president of brand for Sorel. Minter began assumed the role on April 29. Most recently, Minter served as the chief marketing officer at Reef, according to his LinkedIn. Minter has roughly 20 years of industry experience, including stops at Sanuk, Billabong, Keen and DC.

May 2, 2024: Authentic Brands Group has named Bruno Pedroso de Almeida as vice president, head of Brazil. In his new role, Pedroso de Almeida will spearhead and drive the execution of the brand’s go-to-market strategies throughout the region, accelerating growth and expanding Authentic’s footprint in Brazil. Pedroso de Almeida brings a wealth of experience in brand development and distribution, with an impressive track record spanning more than 20 years. Prior to joining Authentic, he held key leadership roles, most recently at VF Central and South America, where he played a pivotal role in devising and executing strategic distribution partnerships that enhanced the company’s presence across various markets and channels.

May 2, 2024: Resale marketplace Thredup has hired Florin Filote as its new general manager of Europe overseeing European business operations. He succeeds Dan DeMeyere, who will now oversee the U.S. business as chief product and technology officer after running the international business for two years. Filote held several leadership roles at Baltics and Pigu Hobby Hall Group before joining Thredup.

April 30, 2024: K-Swiss is continuing to add to its talent roster as the company works to execute its turnaround plan under Barney Waters, who returned to the brand as brand president at the end of 2023. The talent joining K-Swiss’ roster is Ain Smith as the new senior director of marketing, Joe Guido as the new VP of operations, and Sameer Walia, Tim Keehan, and Lisa Palma as new wholesale representatives for the West Coast, Southeast, and Northeast regions. “With 60 K-Swiss stores in China, and counting, our owners XTEP are bringing their extensive resources to the product table, so we are seeing huge leaps in product design and innovation,” Waters said. “Product and people are the keys to our growth, and so these recent hires will ensure we have the right team to bring the new product to life.”

April 30, 2024: Wolverine Worldwide has tapped Dave Latchana as chief legal officer and corporate secretary. In this role, he will have oversight of the company’s legal, compliance, corporate communications, risk management, ESG and security and loss prevention functions. Latchana has been at Wolverine Worldwide for nearly 16 years, joining the company in 2008 as corporate counsel. He then served as associate general counsel and assistant secretary, working closely with the company’s management team and board of directors across a broad range of legal and business issues. Latchana next spent three years as vice president of executive compensation, global benefits and corporate communications from 2021 to 2024, and since January 2024 he has been interim general counsel. “I am honored to be named chief legal officer and corporate secretary at such an important time, and to continue growing my career here at Wolverine Worldwide,” Latchana said in a statement. “We have an outstanding portfolio of brands and a high-performance, collaborative culture, with exceptional teams and best in class centers of excellence.”

March 21, 2024: Kenneth Cole Productions has promoted Samantha Cohen to chief marketing and social impact officer. Cohen’s extensive experience overseeing communications, social impact, influencer marketing, collaborations, social strategy, and paid media positions her perfectly to spearhead the brand’s mission forward, the company said in a statement. “Sam’s leadership and dedication have been instrumental at Kenneth Cole for over 20-plus years,” the company said. “She is someone who embodies the spirit of a brand that has stood for social impact as much as fashion for 40 years. She has already led the team at Kenneth Cole through countless milestone projects including product category launches, book tours, fashion shows, major social impact campaigns and the launch of the Mental Health Coalition, to name just a few. We are truly inspired by her vision to foster brand growth and make a positive impact on the world.”

March 19, 2024: Academy Sports and Outdoors has appointed Google executive Monique Picou to its board of directors, effective immediately. With this change, Academy’s board now comprises ten directors. Picou has over 30 years of supply chain, logistics, strategic planning, operations digital/technology, and engineering experience. She currently serves as global executive vice president of Google Cloud supply chain and operations at Alphabet, Inc. Prior to Alphabet, Picou served in leadership positions at Walmart, Inc., Voyant Beauty, LLC and Procter & Gamble Company. “We are pleased to have Monique join our board,” Ken Hicks, Executive chairman of Academy, said in a statement. “Monique brings extensive experience in supply chain, logistics, and strategic planning at large technology, retail and manufacturing companies. Her expertise will be a great asset as we leverage and scale our supply chain to enable industry-leading growth.”

March 18, 2024: Fleet Feet has announced a series of new hires, expanded roles and promotions. Stuart Williams, who previously served as vice president and chief information officer of grocery chain The Fresh Market, joined the retailer as its vice president of IT, a newly created role. Also, Melissa Gabriele, whose prior experience includes Gap Inc. and American Eagle Outfitters, was named director of apparel and accessories, another newly created role. Aside from the new hires, Fleet Feet expanded the role of John Moloznik, vice president of business development, to include franchise operations. Lastly, Tiffany Lee, formerly the director of marketing and media, was promoted to senior director of performance marketing and partnerships, and Sarah Holden was promoted to director of human resources, an expansion of her prior role of senior manager of human resources.

March 15, 2024: Industry veteran Clyde Edwards, who is approaching 8 years at Puma, has transitioned into a new role, the brand confirmed with FN. Edwards is now its director of marketing — brand energy and partnerships, a newly created role. His career started at Puma as its senior manager of marketing for city specialty in September 2016.

March 13, 2024: Foot Locker Inc. has announced Cindy Carlisle has its next executive vice president and chief human resources officer. According to Foot Locker, Carlisle will be tasked with developing and executing its global human resources strategy in support of the its Lace Up Plan, which is “a transformation designed to drive the organization’s next phase of growth and create value for all stakeholders.” Prior to Foot Locker, Carlisle served as the group vice president of human resources at Stryker Corporation. She has also held leadership positions at Roche Group and Johnson & Johnson.

March 8, 2024: Giovanna Ceolini was confirmed as president of Assocalzaturifici, the national association representing Italian shoemakers, until June 2027 on Thursday. According to Ceolini, she will be focused on sustainability, digitalization, innovation, made in Italy, and tertiary as drivers for the development of the sector, with a focus on training to make footwear an attractive sector for young people. Other objectives include the enhancement of third-party companies, better known as CDMOs (contract development and manufacturing organizations). Support will also be given to trade fair policies starting with MICAM Milan. “We have a challenging job ahead of us,” Ceolini said. “We have to respond to a conjuncture that is not easy, in a geopolitical framework dominated by uncertainty, with initiatives and projects that support our companies in international markets. Today, more than ever, it is important to put the interests of the industry, and therefore our association, back at the center. We can do this by returning to frank and constructive dialogue and confrontation. In this I will not be alone but supported by a team composed of professionals of undoubted value.”

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.

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.”

Colleen Mitchell has exited Nordstrom after two years as its head of diversity, equity, inclusion.

In a Monday LinkedIn post, Mitchell shared that she was leaving Nordstrom to start her own coaching and consulting practice catered to executives, corporations and personal growth.

“My time at Nordstrom has been filled with personal growth, amazing support, and impactful work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging,” Mitchell wrote on LinkedIn. “To my Nordstrom team: I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way and feeling immensely proud of the work you will continue to do. But there comes a point when you realize that your calling extends beyond your current role. For me, that calling has been persistent – a gentle nudge that’s grown into an undeniable force.”

Nordstrom said the company is conducting a search to backfill the role, which is currently being filled by HR leader Carlos Rios on an interim basis.

Prior to joining Nordstrom, Mitchell served as the head of DEI at Petco and held a similar role in Amazon’s global customer fulfillment division. She reported to the company’s HR chief Farrell Redwine until November of 2023, when Lisa Price took over the role.

The average tenure of a chief diversity officer is just 2.9 years, according to a December report from board and leadership consulting firm Spencer Stuart. That ranks as the shortest tenure across all C-suite roles tracked by the firm, which found that the average total tenure across the C-suite was 4.6 years.

In February of 2023, Mitchell told FN that she was initially attracted to the role at Nordstrom because of the company’s existing infrastructure. Nordstrom in 2020 outlined a set of concrete DEI goals, including increasing Black and Latinx representation in people manager roles by 50% by the end of 2025. Having this framework meant Mitchell’s role would focus more on the implementation of predetermined metrics rather than creating — and petitioning for — an entirely new program from scratch. It also meant Nordstrom was willing to invest funds and hiring power to bolster this unit.

“One person who’s underfunded and under-resourced is not going to solve the organization’s problem,” said Mitchell at the time. “Organizations need to enable a person in this role to help the organization and all of us get there together.”

It’s day one for Elliott Hill as Nike’s top dog.

Hill, who served in several leadership roles before retiring from the Swoosh in 2020, officially returned to Nike on Monday as its new chief executive officer. His appointment announcement last month was met with praise from employees and The Street, though analysts cautioned that it could take several quarters for him to fix the company’s longstanding issues in distribution, innovation and culture.

This month, Nike offered mixed results for the first quarter and withdrew its guidance for fiscal year 2025, suggesting a long road to recovery. As Hill takes the reins, here are four key areas where analysts and market watchers are looking for improvement.

Reigniting Wholesale

Nike’s decision to exit several wholesale doors in 2021 has kept the company behind competitors that have achieved controlled distribution in crucial channels like run specialty. Now, Hill must build on recent efforts to bolster wholesale sales and reengage key partners.

There’s already been some momentum. In the last year, Nike has re-entered or reinvigorated its wholesale partnerships with DSW, Macy’s and Foot Locker. And just last week, the Swoosh elevated Tom Peddie to the role of vice president, general manager of North America after rehiring him out of retirement in July to the role of vice president of marketplace partners to oversee wholesale partnerships. Prior to rejoining Nike, Peddle spent 30 years at the Swoosh culminating in his role as vice president and general manager of North America.

“Peddie’s extensive experience in global sales and emerging markets is expected to help rebalance Nike’s direct-to-consumer and wholesale strategies,” wrote Jefferies analyst Randal Konik in a Monday note to investors. “His role will involve overseeing all aspects of the North American market, aiming to drive strategic growth and improve relationships with retailers.”

Running Revamp

Nike has lost share in the running category for the last several quarters as competitors like Asics, Hoka, On and Brooks gain steam. Part of this lag has stemmed from a general lack of innovation in the category as well as a failure to strongly embed in the run specialty channel.

In its most recent earnings call, Nike leadership doubled down on renewed efforts to win in running. Chief financial officer Matthew Friend noted that the category’s order book for spring 2025 is set for double digit growth compared to the prior year. He also touted product enhancements like a new maximum cushioning system, new trail silhouettes and new franchises for under $100 a pair.

Still, analysts noted that a fix in Nike’s running business won’t happen overnight, and it could take several years for Hill to get this business back on track.

“It’ll take them more than two fiscal years to course correct,” Burt Flickinger, managing director and founder of retail consultancy Strategic Resource Group, told FN earlier this month. “And even then, competitors have such a big lead that Nike is so far down the proverbial track, it can’t even see how far ahead [they] are.”

Brand Heat

Nike’s brand equity has suffered from having too much of its key product in the marketplace.

A Sunday note from UBS analyst Jay Sole found that prices for Nike products on the secondary market are still in decline, which does not bode well for overall brand momentum. According to UBS data, the average last sale price for all Nike brand products was down 9 percent in September over the prior year. The average last sale price for Jordan brand products was down 12 percent.

To address this, Nike has recently set out to reduce the presence of its popular franchises — such as the Air Force 1, Air Jordan 1 and Dunk — to realign demand. At the same time, Nike will need to bolster its product innovation cycle to win mindshare from competitors.

The China Challenge

Revenue for Greater China was down 3 percent in Q1, which resulted in higher inventory levels in an “already promotional environment,” Friend said in a call with analysts. As a result, Nike lowered its short term expectations for sales in the region.

Despite the dip, Friend said Nike is “optimistic” about its long term potential in China as the company sharpens its ability to deliver products and experiences to local consumers.

“We’re going to keep playing our strengths around innovation and newness,” Friend said in an earnings call earlier this month. “We think that the investments that we have in the marketplace from a retail point of view and the way that we present our products to consumers through our partner stores gives us an opportunity to present our brand in a way that we can’t do anywhere else in the world.”

Nike has elevated Tom Peddie to the role of vice president, general manager of North America after rehiring him out of retirement in July to the role of vice president of marketplace partners.

Peddie takes over his new role from Scott Uzzell, who is leaving the company. Uzzell previously served as the chief executive officer and president of Converse until 2023 when he became Nike’s GM for North America.

Prior to rejoining Nike in July, Peddle spent 30 years at the Swoosh culminating in his role as vice president and general manager of North America, before he retired in 2020. He rejoined at a critical time for Nike, which recently announced a renewed focus on the wholesale sector after pulling out of many doors in 2021 to focus on direct-to-consumer sales.

“I’m excited to welcome Tom Peddie back to North America. No one is more qualified to lead North America’s next stage of strategic growth, grounded in sport,” said Nike’s president of geographies and marketplace Craig Williams in a statement. “Importantly, Tom’s outstanding relationships with our retailers and deep experience developing an integrated marketplace will be critical to accelerating our future success.”

Peddle isn’t the only former executive Nike coaxed out of retirement. The Swoosh last month announced that chief executive office John Donahoe would step down from the company and be replaced by former Nike executive Elliott Hill, who served in several leadership roles before retiring in 2020.

In his new role, effective Oct. 21, Peddie oversee all sales, marketing and digital elements across North America.

Earlier this month, Nike reported revenues for the first quarter that were down 10 percent to $11.59 billion, short of the $11.65 billion expected by analysts surveyed by Yahoo Finance. Net income was down 28 percent to $1.1 billion and diluted earnings per share was 70 cents, which represented a 26 percent decline. This was ahead of the 52 cents expected by analysts.

The athletic giant also postponed its widely anticipated Investor Day and withdrew its guidance for fiscal year 2025.

StockX has hired Nick Karrat as its next chief marketing officer.

In a statement, StockX stated Karrat will be tasked with overseeing brand marketing, integrated marketing, performance marketing, creative and product marketing across the globe, and will drive its overarching consumer-facing strategy.

Karrat will start on Oct. 21 and report directly to StockX co-founder, president and chief operating officer Greg Schwartz.

“Nick’s experience leading high-performing marketing teams in the e-commerce landscape makes him a valuable asset to our business,” said Schwartz. “His vision aligns perfectly with our goals, and his leadership will be instrumental in navigating the next phase of our growth. Together, we look forward to creating meaningful brand connections with the millions of customers StockX serves around the world.”

Most recently, Karrat was the chief marketing officer at lifestyle clothing brand Tommy John. His marketing career also includes stops at Boll & Branch and Plated.

“I’ve been buying Jordans since the ’80s, so having the opportunity to combine my work and passion makes this a dream role. As a long-term StockX customer, I admire how the platform rewrote the rules of commerce, and changed how people buy and sell online,” Karrat said in a statement. “I’m excited to join the talented team to help further cement StockX’s position in current culture and focus on its mission to empower everyone to trade what they love.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Celine has named Michael Rider its new artistic director, succeeding Hedi Slimane. He starts in early 2025.

WWD reported on April 24 that Celine was girding for a possible Slimane exit and had lined up a potential successor in Rider, creative director at Polo Ralph Lauren.

It marks a return to the French house for Rider, who logged a decade as Celine’s design director of ready-to-wear from 2008 to 2018, working under then-creative director Phoebe Philo.

A graduate of Brown University in Rhode Island, Rider also worked as a senior designer at Balenciaga from 2004 to 2008, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Celine parent LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton declared Rider’s arrival several hours after announcing that Celine and Slimane were parting ways after a fruitful, seven-year collaboration.

In a release, LVMH said Rider would have “the entire creative responsibility of all Celine collections, from womenswear, menswear, leather goods and accessories to couture.”

“I am delighted to welcome Michael back to Celine, a maison that he knows intimately,” commented Severine Merle, chief executive officer Celine. “Michael’s vision, creative talent, together with his genuine nature and strong connection to Celine’s heritage, make him a natural choice to continue to build a long-lasting success for the maison.”

For his part, Rider said: “Celine is a maison with values very close to my heart and a beautiful heritage to build on. I am honored to come back and shape the future of the maison together with the Celine team.”

It is understood LVMH wishes to build on Celine’s current momentum, and not stray too far from the winning template Slimane had forged, riffing on French bourgeois codes with sly winks to grunge and other alternative music scenes.

According to sources, Celine ranks alongside Loewe as one of the fastest-growing brands at LVMH Fashion Group, with revenues in the ballpark of 2.5 billion euros, making it bigger than Roman house Fendi.

The hire thrusts another prominent studio talent into a plum, high-profile role. In the past, LVMH has tended to favor marquee talents like Slimane and Philo, among the most bankable designers of their generation.

“Under his creative and artistic direction, Celine has experienced exceptional growth and established itself as an iconic French couture house,” LVMH said of Slimane.

“The holistic vision of Hedi Slimane, his exigence and rigor have made it possible to redefine the codes of Celine whilst reaffirming its feminine and Parisian roots,” the French luxury group said in a statement. “He has also remarkably enriched new territories for the maison such as the men’s silhouette, couture and haute parfumerie. The extraordinary journey taken together over the last seven years has made Celine a house with a formidable foundation for the future.”

It is understood Rider has already relocated to Paris, but has kept a low profile. He could not immediately be reached for comment.

Slimane’s departure came only three days after he unveiled his spring 2025 women’s collection for Celine via a 10-minute film broadcast on the brand’s website and social channels.

It reaffirmed his reputation as a formidable fashion designer, filmmaker and dream weaver, able to crystalize a style and present idealized imagery that’s compelling and precise.

His women’s collection film brought to vivid life the late French singers and fashion icons Juliette Gréco and Françoise Hardy via bushy bangs, heavy eyeliner, baby-doll dresses and shapely tuxedos.

Meanwhile, his latest cardigan jackets, tweed suits, long necklaces and skirts that cover the knee further fanned a widespread industry conviction that Slimane has the chops, aesthetic and the vision to tackle Chanel, which is currently searching for Virginie Viard’s successor.

Chanel executives told WWD this week it is not yet ready to reveal its next creative leader — and that it’s not necessarily looking for a big-name designer.

A climate of creative uncertainty and upheaval hangs over the industry, currently grappling with a slowdown in luxury consumption and consumer caution.

The employment contracts of John Galliano at Maison Margiela, Jonathan Anderson at Loewe and Lucie and Luke Meier at Jil Sander are coming to term before the end of the year or in early 2025, according to market sources. There are also creative vacancies at Dries Van Noten, Alberta Ferretti, Jean Paul Gaultier and Y/Project, as reported.

Slimane cemented his reputation — and influenced men’s tailoring for more than a decade — as the designer of Dior Homme between 2000 and 2007. He went on to reinvent and ignite the Kering-owned house of Yves Saint Laurent, which he rechristened Saint Laurent, between 2012 and 2016 — all the while maintaining a close rapport with the Arnault family, which controls LVMH and Dior.

His next move could not immediately be learned. To be sure, he has a track record of revving up a brand and then leaving at the height of its success.

In between, he has also taken long sabbaticals to pursue his photography and art.

When Slimane took over the design reins of Celine, with a mandate to expand the heritage brand into menswear, couture and fragrance, he took a different tack from its previous creative leader, English designer Philo.

“I am enchanted, what a great choice,” Karl Lagerfeld, one of Slimane’s most enthusiastic fans, told WWD at the time of his appointment. “It will be great.”

Slimane immediately brought a blast of cool and youth to Celine, signing up Lalisa Manobal from Blackpink and conscripting her to walk in one of his collection films during the coronavirus pandemic.

When she attended Slimane’s spring 2023 men’s show for Celine along with BTS member Kim Tae-hyung, better known as V, and his bestie, actor Park Bo-gum, pandemonium ensued.

After a few aesthetic tweaks, and after Slimane unearthed the Triomphe logo, Celine took off like a rocket, synonymous with cool, French-girl style with a bourgeois twist.

He meticulously built Celine into a complete universe, adding stationery, headphones, pet accessories, other lifestyle products and Celine Beauté, the first cosmetics line in the house’s history. Lipsticks were added recently and an eyeliner is out next.

The beauty line dovetailed from Slimane’s launch of the Celine haute parfumerie collection, which debuted in 2019.

However, it is understood relations between Slimane and LVMH management have grown increasingly strained.

Still, it seems Slimane worked diligently until the end of his contract, last week releasing a 445-page hardcover book titled “Celine Art Project,” which details the 250 site-specific artworks Slimane curated for the brand’s flagships around the world.

Genesco Inc. just became the latest shoe company to name a woman to its top finance job.

The shoe retailer on Tuesday announced that it has named Cassandra “Sandra” Harris to the role of senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer. She replaces Thomas George, who is retiring after almost four years as Genesco’s CFO.

With her appointment, Genesco joins Crocs, Wolverine Worldwide and Superfeet in being a top shoe company to tap a female to the CFO role this year.

“It’s an exciting time for Genesco and I am thrilled to join this incredible team at such a pivotal time,” Harris said in a statement. “I look forward to working closely with the Genesco leadership team to help shape the company’s next chapter of growth as a footwear focused industry leader.”

Before joining Genesco, Harris served as CFO at interior finishing dealer Artisan Design since February of 2023. Prior to that, she served as CFO and chief operating officer of Tupperware Brands and served in several top roles, including chief information officer and CFO of global supply chain, during an almost decade-long tenure at VF Corporation. At Genesco, Harris will report to Genesco board chair, president and chief executive officer Mimi Vaughn.

“Sandra is a proven executive leader with a consistent record of driving strategic growth and value across complex organizations. She brings invaluable expertise from numerous multi-channel, multi-brand consumer businesses,” said Vaughn in a statement. “We look forward to benefitting from Sandra’s leadership as we continue to drive sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term shareholder value.”

Her appointment follows a series of new executive hires at Journeys as the Genesco-owned retailer executes on its turnaround program and growth strategy. In July, Journeys named Stacy Doren as executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Journeys Group. In January, former Foot Locker executive Chris Santaella as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer. And in November, Genesco brought in Foot Locker veteran Andy Gray as Journeys president.

The appointment also comes as more women are named to the CFO role across footwear and the broader corporate world. According to a Volatility Report released from executive search boutique Crist Kolder Associates in February, the percentage of female CFOs across S&P 500 and Fortune 500 companies has nearly doubled over the past decade, going from 10 to 20 percent between 2013 and 2023. The report also found that the consumer sector was the industry that had the most female CFOs between 2013 and 2023, with 30 women holding CFO positions in that sector in 2023.

Shopbop CEO Kim Fleissner is expanding her role and will now lead Zappos as well, FN has learned.

The move, confirmed by a Zappos spokesperson late Friday, comes as the Las Vegas-based footwear e-tailer’s CEO Scott Schaefer prepares to exit the company on Nov. 1. Both Zappos and Shopbop are owned by Amazon.

Fleissner has been CEO of Madison, Wisc.-based Shopbop since May 2018.

“Kim is a long-tenured leader who will champion the unique culture and differentiators of the Zappos brand, ensuring it continues to deliver customer-focused growth,” the Zappos spokesperson said in a statement.

Schaefer is leaving “to pursue other interests.”

“We would like to thank Scott for his contributions to Zappos through the years and wish him well in his future endeavors,” the spokesperson said.

The move marks the third CEO change at Zappos in four years. In 2020, a few months before his death, Zappos co-founder Tony Hsieh left the CEO role, and Kedar Deshpande took over. In late 2021, Deshpande departed the company for Groupon, and Schaefer was appointed acting CEO for a short time before getting the permanent gig in April 2022.

Zappos — which has quietly cut hundreds of jobs in the past few years — has not been immune to the changes and challenges sweeping across both the footwear industry and e-commerce space. Not only have many brands doubled down on their own DTC efforts, but brick-and-mortar retail has made a major comeback in the post-pandemic era.

Interestingly, both Zappos and Shopbop made their debuts in 1999 and were pioneers in the e-commerce space.

This is a developing story. Check back for more.