Retail
Kohl’s
Kohl’s Corp. announced that Sona Chawla will step down from her role as president at Kohl’s in mid-October to pursue new opportunities.
In addition, Paul Gaffney was named senior executive vice president and chief technology officer (CTO), reporting directly to Kohl’s CEO Michelle Gass. Gaffney assumes his new position in mid-September.
In the CTO role, Gaffney will be responsible for all technology, information and digital platforms supporting Kohl’s omnichannel business. He most recently served as CTO of Dick’s Sporting Goods. Prior to that, Gaffney was senior vice president of information technology at The Home Depot.
Neiman Marcus Group appointed Lana Todorovich to president and chief merchandising officer.
In her role, Todorovich will be responsible for driving the brand’s innovative merchandising offerings. She will report to Neiman Marcus Group CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck.
Tdorovich will be a key leader in Neiman Marcus Group’s transformation strategy, moving to a more customer-centric organization by creating a new and engaging luxury retail experience for the global consumer.
Prior to joining Neiman Marcus Group, Todorovich was president of North America wholesale at Ralph Lauren, president of the women’s apparel group at Global Brands Group and president at Perry Ellis International.
NRF
The National Retail Federation (NRF) announced the retirement of Carlen Kohut, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
After nearly 20 years of service to NRF, Kohut will retire on Oct. 15. As part of the organization’s succession plan, NRF controller Zahilys Hernandez is being promoted to chief financial officer, and Jason Hoolsema, vice president of technology, is being promoted to chief information officer.
Under Kohut’s leadership since 2000, NRF more than doubled its annual operating revenue, creating the financial strength to make repeated and regular strategic investments to serve its members and the retail industry.
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Brands
Tapestry
Tapestry Inc. announced that Jide Zeitlin, the company’s chairman, has been appointed CEO.
Zeitlin succeeds Victor Luis, who is leaving the company and its board of directors. The company also announced that Susan Kropf, a current member of the Tapestry Board, has been named lead independent director. Zeitlin will continue in his role as chairman. At the appropriate time, Tapestry said Zeitlin and the board will lead a search for a future CEO.
The company is maintaining its fiscal 2020 financial outlook and continues to expect to return approximately $700 million to shareholders through its dividend and repurchase programs.
Zeitlin was elected to Tapestry’s board in June 2006 and has served as chairman since November 2014. He spent the first 20 years of his career at Goldman Sachs, where he held a number of senior management positions, including as a member of Goldman Sachs’ executive office and serving as global chief operating officer of its investment banking businesses.
Tapestry is a New York-based house of modern luxury lifestyle brands. The company’s portfolio includes Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman.
Under Armour
Under Armour Inc. named Stephanie Pugliese as president, North America. Pugliese will report directly to Patrik Frisk, president and chief operating officer, and is expected to start on Sept. 16.
Pugliese joins Under Armour from Duluth Trading Co., where she served as president and CEO, a position she held since 2015, when she led the company through its initial public offering.
Earlier in her career, Pugliese held several executive positions with Lands’ End Inc. and Ann Inc.
Textiles
Unifi
Yarn manufacturer Unifi Inc. appointed Craig A. Creaturo as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), effective Sept. 9. Christopher A. Smosna, who has served as interim CFO since December 2018, will continue in his role as vice president and treasurer.
Creaturo recently served as CFO and vice president of administration at Chromalox Inc., an advanced thermal technologies manufacturing company, from February 2015 to March 2019. Prior to that, he was CFO of II-VI Incorporated, a publicly traded maker of engineered materials and opto-electronic components from 2004 to 2014.
Logistics
UPS
UPS named Suzanne Lindsay-Walker chief sustainability officer (CSO) and vice president of environmental affairs.
In this role, she succeeds Tamara Barker, a 32-year UPS veteran who recently retired. Lindsay-Walker will be responsible for policies and programs to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, as well as overseeing the attainment of UPS’s sustainability goals to reduce the use of carbon-based fuels.
Most recently, Lindsay-Walker served as director of sustainability at Brambles USA Inc. She oversaw their North America sustainability strategy and key customer engagements and was also responsible for driving adoption of low carbon technologies as well as the company’s sustainability internal engagement program.
Sustainability
Apparel Impact Institute
The Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) appointed Kurt Kipka as vice president.
In his role, Kipka will manage the growth and longevity of global programs, including Clean by Design, the legacy program methodology being used in mill impact. Prior to joining Aii, Kipka worked at the Natural Resources Defense Council, where he focused on developing platforms and tools to measure and improve environmental performance of leading brands and retailers.
Founded in 2017, Aii is curating partnerships with industry and other professional services to scale proven impact initiatives, accelerating apparel supply chain solutions that address the most urgent sustainability needs.