Key Executives is pleased to announce The Top 25 Apparel Executives of 2023. The apparel industry holds immense significance owing to its substantial economic influence around the globe. As one of the largest industries in the world, it plays a vital role in international trade, contributing to economic expansion and creating job opportunities for millions of individuals across the supply chain. In the U.S. alone, the apparel manufacturing industry employs more than a hundred thousand workers. Moreover, a major factor in the success of any apparel business is effective leadership. The executives on this year’s list play a crucial role in decision-making processes related to design, production, marketing, sales, and distribution of clothing products. Their expertise and leadership skills are vital for ensuring their company's competitiveness in a highly dynamic industry. After all, on a very fundamental level, clothing is an essential necessity for people all over the world, making the industry vital in fulfilling this very human need.
Among the recipients of this year's awards, we have Jake Danehy, who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fair Harbor, a company that is reimagining apparel by making its products from recycled plastic bottles and other environmentally friendly fabrics. Since its 2014 launch, Danehy's company has repurposed more than 30,000,000 recycled plastic bottles. In addition, Lizanne Kindler serves as the CEO of Ann Taylor, LOFT, and Lane Bryant, collectively known as Ascena, as well as the CEO of Talbots. A native of Denmark, Kindler's multi-billion dollar brands have over 1,700 stores and nearly 30,000 associates across the U.S. Lastly, Horacio Barbeito, the President and CEO of Old Navy, leads one of the most recognizable apparel brands in the world. No stranger to big numbers, Barbeito previously spent 26 years at Walmart, including a 3-year stint as CEO for Walmart’s $22 billion Canada business, where he led the team’s 100,000 associates.
Please join us in recognizing the accomplishments of The Top 25 Apparel Executives of 2023.
1. Chip Bergh
President and Chief Executive Officer, Levi's
Chip Bergh has been the president and chief executive officer of Levi Strauss & Co. since 2011. He is also on the company’s board of directors. During his tenure, the company has experienced a dramatic turnaround, which is marked by outstanding performance, with its products being sold in more than 110 countries worldwide. The company’s reported 2022 net revenues were $6.2 billion. A self-declared "brand guy,” Bergh’s has led many iconic brands while working in the United States, Asia, and Europe. Prior to joining Levi Strauss & Co. in 2011, Bergh spent 28 years at Procter & Gamble (P&G) in roles of increasing scope and complexity in brand management, general management, and executive leadership.
Notably, Bergh was the first P&G employee assigned to the Gillette business, following P&G’s $57 billion acquisition of Gillette in 2005. Previously, he led all of P&G’s business in India, Southeast Asia and Australasia. In July 2017, Bergh was named non-executive chairman of the board of HP. He has served as lead independent director of the HP board since March 2017 and as a board member since the company’s separation in 2015. Bergh has also previously served on the board of directors for VF Corporation and the Economic Development Board of Singapore. He was named one of the World’s Greatest Leaders in 2019 by Fortune Magazine. Bergh graduated from Lafayette College with an undergraduate degree in international affairs.
2. Stephanie Linnartz
President and Chief Executive Officer, Under Armour
Stephanie Linnartz serves as the President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of its Board of Directors for Under Armour, Inc. A 25-year veteran of one of the world’s most respected global companies, Linnartz previously served as the president of Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hospitality company. With a portfolio of nearly 8,200 properties across 138 countries and territories and 30 brands, Marriott includes brands such as The Ritz-Carlton®, St. Regis®, Marriott Hotels®, W® Hotels, and Westin® as well as the industry’s most extensive customer-loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy®, which has 173 million members.
Founded in 1996, Under Armour has grown aggressively – and was most recently valued at $4.3 billion. Linnartz earned an MBA in finance from William & Mary and an undergraduate degree in political science and government from College of the Holy Cross.
3. Calvin McDonald
Chief Executive Officer, Lululemon
Calvin McDonald is Chief Executive Officer of lululemon athletica inc., an athletic apparel company with more than 500 company-operated stores in 17 countries. McDonald joined lululemon in 2018 and is a member of its Board of Directors. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Sephora Americas, a division of the LVMH group of luxury brands, from 2013 to 2018. McDonald was President and CEO of Sears Canada from 2011-2013, and spent 17 years at Loblaw Companies Limited, the largest retailer in Canada, where he was born and raised.
From 2016-2020, he served on the Board of Directors of Cole Haan. McDonald is a growth-oriented leader with a proven track record helping large organizations scale and innovate how brands engage with customers – in stores, across digital channels, and from their home. McDonald has been a Director of the Company since 2021. McDonald earned an MBA from the University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management and an undergraduate degree from Western University.
4. Bjørn Gulden
CEO, Adidas
Bjørn Gulden is a Norwegian business leader and current CEO of Adidas. Founded in 1924, Adidas is a German athletic apparel and footwear corporation headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe; and the second largest in the world, after Nike. After playing professional football in Europe, Gulden began his administrative career path in Norway, where he was working as a finance and marketing consultant for different enterprises, including Helly Hansen and Adidas, among others.
At Adidas, Gulden held the position of Senior Vice President of Apparel and Accessories. In 2000, Gulden became the CEO of Deichmann, the largest footwear company in Europe. Parallelly, he was serving as the CEO and Chairman of the US subsidiaries Off Broadway Shoes and Rack Room Shoes. In 2011, Gulden left Deichmann to join Pandora, the jewelry company. He served as the CEO of the company until 2013. For the next ten years, he served as the CEO of the German sportswear manufacturer Puma – and took over the same role for Adidas in January 2023. Gulden holds an MBA from the Babson Graduate School of Business (Boston, USA) and a bachelor’s degree in Business and Administration from the University of Rogaland (Stavanger, Norway).
5. Tim Boyle
Chief Executive Officer, Columbia
Tim Boyle has served as Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Sportswear Company since 1988 and reassumed the role of President in 2017, which he had previously held until 2015. Tim was appointed Chairman of the Board in 2020. He oversees the operations of the active outdoor company from its Portland, Oregon headquarters.
Tim’s career with Columbia Sportswear began in 1971 when, during his senior year at the University of Oregon, his father, who had been running the company since 1964, died suddenly of a heart attack. His mother, Gert Boyle, quickly enlisted Tim’s help in order to continue the aggressive expansion that her husband had initiated and that had expanded the company’s sales that year to $1 million.
An alumnus of Portland, Oregon’s Jesuit High School and the University of Oregon, Tim serves on the Board of Directors of Northwest Natural Gas Company.
6. Ernie Herrman
Chief Executive Officer, TJX Companies
Ernie Herrman has been Chief Executive Officer of TJX since January 2016, a director since October 2015, and President since January 2011. He served as Senior Executive Vice President, Group President from August 2008 to January 2011, with responsibilities for Marmaxx, HomeGoods, and TJX Canada; President of Marmaxx from 2005 to 2008; and Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of Marmaxx from 2004 to 2005. From 1989 to 2004, he held various merchandising positions with TJX. As Chief Executive Officer and President of TJX, Herrman has managed a complex global retail business in an evolving landscape and overseen near- and long-term strategy through various economic conditions and challenges.
In his current role, and through the other positions Herrman has held with the company, he has a deep understanding of TJX and broad experience in all aspects of off-price retail, including merchandising, management, leadership development, business strategy, finance and accounting, innovation, international operations, marketing, real estate, buying, and distribution.
7. Haio Barbeito
President and Chief Executive Officer, Old Navy
Horacio "Haio" Barbeito is the President and CEO of Old Navy, where he leads the global apparel and accessories brand in delivering on its unique value proposition, offering style, fit, quality, and cultural relevance at jaw-dropping prices. Prior to joining Old Navy, Barbeito spent 26 years with Walmart, including a decade in CEO roles for Walmart’s various international businesses. Most recently, he spent nearly three years serving as CEO for Walmart’s $22 billion Canada business where he led the team’s 100,000 associates, oversaw the Walmart Canada modernization plan and spearheaded a transformation of Walmart’s retail experience.
Originally from Argentina, Barbeito enjoys spending time with his family – including his wife Lenny and his four children; Horacio, Victoria, Federico and Pedro. He has a Degree in Management from Universidad Catolica Argentina and completed the Senior Executive Programme at London Business School, in London UK.
8. Sandra Stangl
President and Chief Executive Officer, Banana Republic
Sandra Stangl is an innovative leader and brand builder. As a veteran in the retail industry, she currently serves as the President and CEO of Banana Republic at Gap Inc. leading the business globally. In this role, she is repositioning and revitalizing the iconic American brand.
Most recently, Sandra served as Chief Merchant and Co-Founder of MINE, a disruptive start-up company that reimagines luxury model homes as shoppable furniture showrooms. Previously, she served as the President, Chief Merchandising & New Business Development Officer for RH (Restoration Hardware). She joined RH in May 2017 as President of New Business Development and was promoted shortly thereafter to her new post. Prior to joining Gap Inc., Sandra had a successful career in the retail industry, including over 23 years at Williams Sonoma Inc. where she held numerous leadership positions. Sandra was the President of Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, and PBTeen from 2013 to March 2017.
Sandra holds a bachelor's degree in Design and Applied Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a Trustee on the board of the University of San Diego and an honorary board member of Larkin Street Youth Services.
9. Lizanne Kindler
Chief Executive Officer, Talbots
Currently, Lizanne Kindler serves as both Executive Chair and CEO of Ann Taylor, LOFT, and Lane Bryant, collectively known as Ascena, as well as the CEO of Talbots. These multi-billion brands have over 1,700 stores and significant online businesses, and nearly 30,000 associates across the United States. Kindler's expertise includes business and brand transformation, product innovation, digital strategy, operational excellence, and supply chain optimization. Under Kindler’s leadership, Talbots has been named as one of the Top 10 Women‐Led Businesses in Massachusetts by The Commonwealth Institute and The Boston Globe for seven years in a row
In addition to her corporate roles, Kindler was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in January of 2020. Additionally, Kindler serves as an Executive Trustee of the American‐Scandinavian Foundation and is in her fourth year as an Expert‐In‐Residence for Babson College’s WIN Lab, an accelerator for women entrepreneurs. Since 2018, she has further served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. A native of Denmark, Kindler graduated from the Copenhagen Business School with a BA in Economics.
10. Joe Kudla
Founder and CEO, Vuori
Joe Kudla is the Founder and CEO of Vuori, a performance apparel brand inspired by the active California lifestyle. A yogi, surfer, outdoorsman and former college athlete, Kudla drew upon his experiences to disrupt the market with a new perspective on performance apparel: functional, high-quality clothing that does not sacrifice style. Founded in 2015, Vuori received a $400 million investment and $4 billion valuation from SoftBank Vision Fund 2 in 2021, marking one of the largest investments in a private apparel company.
Recently, Ernst & Young LLP honored Kudla with the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 Pacific Southwest Award. He was also named Glossy’s Founder of the Year in 2022. With a background in accounting, Kudla also founded the IT consulting firm Vaco SanDiego prior to launching Vuori. Today, he lives in Encinitas, CA with his wife and two children. True to the brand ethos, he still makes time every day to get outside and stay active.
11. Lori Coulter
Co-Founder and CEO, Summersalt
Lori Coulter is the Co-Founder and CEO of Summersalt, a generation-defining lifestyle brand known for its data-backed fit and designer quality products without the designer price tag. Coulter co-founded Summersalt to change the conversation around swimwear and address a true market gap by creating designer swimwear without the designer price tag. Summersalt’s product is data-backed with 1.5 million measurements taken from 10,000 women’s body scans. Named one of the Top 100 Upstarts in the world by CNBC, The Lead’s Breakout Company of the Year, and Fast Company’s Brands That Matter in 2022, the brand has seen exceptional growth and consumer adoption, garnering praise from leading outlets including Vogue, Elle, CNN and Forbes.
Prior to launching Summersalt, Coulter, a veteran start-up founder with deep expertise in design, supply chain and ecommerce, launched one of the first mass customization startups at the intersection of technology, fashion and data to incorporate body scanning and made-to-order manufacturing. She holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University. She serves on the Board of Trustees at her alma mater Washington University in St. Louis. In 2020, Coulter was named one of Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders.
12. Tricia Smith
Global CEO, Anthropologie
Tricia Smith joined the Senior Leadership Team at URBN in April of 2021, as the Global Chief Executive Officer of the Anthropologie Group. Her present responsibilities include the Anthropologie, Anthro Living, BHLDN and Terrain brands across North America and International. Prior to URBN, she was the Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer at Tilly’s, a California based retailer, where she was responsible for all aspects of merchandising operations including buying, planning and allocation, sourcing and product development for stores, as well as driving the overall digital experience.
Smith began her career on the sales floor of Nordstrom in Southern California that eventually led her to the role of Executive Vice President & General Merchandise Manager of Women’s, Young Contemporary, Designer, and Specialized Apparel, where she was an instrumental leader for a variety of significant merchandise management roles over her 25 year career. Smith Graduated from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.
13. Maximiliano Ojeda
Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO, MGO Global
Maximiliano Ojeda is the Co-Founder of MGO Global – and has served as our Chairman of the Board and CEO since the company’s inception in 2017. An entrepreneur and international business executive, Ojeda’s career has largely focused on business development, contract negotiations, high-touch customer engagement and advanced technologies within the hospitality, U.S. real estate, land development, and ecommerce industries.
Born in Argentina, Ojeda attended UADE Business School. He launched his professional career working in VIP client relations and management for luxury hoteliers in Argentina. He immigrated to the United States and, from January 2011 through 2017, he served as a real estate brokerage executive in New York City, where he catered to high end clientele and led prolific land development projects first at Douglas Elliman Real Estate and then The Corcoran Group. It was through client relationships Ojeda established in the global real estate industry that led to his introduction to the Leo Messi organization, and the subsequent formation of MGO in partnership with Virginia Hilfiger.
14. Matt Baer
Chief Executive Officer, Stitch Fix
Matt Baer is the CEO and a member of the Board of Directors for Stitch Fix, Inc., the leading online personal styling service. Since its founding in 2011, Stitch Fix has made personal styling accessible to millions of people. Today, Stitch Fix serves around 3.5 million clients and ships thousands of personalized items of apparel every day. Previously, Baer served as the Chief Customer & Digital Officer at Macy's, Inc., where he was responsible for the growth and strategic long-term vision of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s digital businesses, as well as Macy's strategy and programs to create deeper, more enduring relationships with customers.
During his time at Macy’s, he delivered material digital growth (FY22 +31% to FY19) and launched or scaled a number of impactful initiatives. Prior to joining Macy’s, Baer was VP of eCommerce at Walmart.com, where he helped lead the transformation and scaling of Walmart's digital business. Before joining Walmart, he founded a digital marketplace, held executive positions at two retail startups and practiced complex commercial litigation. Earlier in his career, he worked across all functions of a family retail business. Baer holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and a law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University.
15. Joanne Crevoiserat
CEO, Tapestry, Inc.
Joanne Crevoiserat is CEO of Tapestry, Inc., a leading New York-based house of iconic accessories and lifestyle brands, consisting of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman. Crevoiserat leads the Executive Committee and Tapestry’s overall strategic direction, including the company’s future growth plan, which rests on four pillars: building lasting customer relationships, fueling fashion innovation and product excellence, delivering compelling omnichannel experiences, and powering global growth. Crevoiserat joined Tapestry in 2019 as CFO, overseeing the financial management of the company, and was appointed CEO Officer in 2020. She also serves on the Board of Directors.
Crevoiserat joined Tapestry from Abercrombie & Fitch Co., where she served as EVP and COO from February 2017 to June 2019. She joined Abercrombie & Fitch in May 2014 and held a variety of executive roles during her tenure with the company. Prior to joining Abercrombie & Fitch, she served in a number of senior management and finance roles at Kohl's Inc., Wal-Mart stores and May Department Stores. Crevoiserat graduated from the University of Connecticut, where she received a BS in Finance. Previously, Crevoiserat was a board member for At Home Group Inc., until that company’s sale in July 2021. She joined the Board of the Partnership for New York City in May 2022 and was appointed to the board of General Motors Co. in August 2022.
16. Chuck Lambert
President and Chief Executive Officer, American Apparel
Chuck Lambert began his professional career 18 years ago. Today he is the President and Chief Executive Officer of American Apparel, a leading manufacturer of combat and utility uniforms for the United States armed services. Operating four highly automated manufacturing facilities with 740 employees and in excess of 400,000 square feet in Alabama, American Apparel has an unequaled record of flexibility, superior quality, and on-time delivery.
Since 1987, American Apparel has responded to the surge requirements necessary to meet the needs of our armed services, meeting all government specifications and providing the maximum level of protection to the war fighter. Lambert graduated from Auburn University with an undergraduate degree in industrial management.
17. Jake Danehy
Co-Founder and CEO, Fair Harbor
Jake Danehy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Fair Harbor, a sustainable coastal lifestyle apparel brand that makes its products from recycled plastic bottles and other environmentally friendly fabrics. Danehy co-founded the business in 2014 to honor his childhood beach community on Fire Island, NY. Today his company's innovative and sustainable apparel has repurposed more than 30,000,000 recycled plastic bottles. Danehy began his entrepreneurial journey while he was a geography major at Colgate University. He and his sister pitched their idea and won a mock Shark Tank-style competition held at their college, earning a $20,000 initial investment to get their company off the ground.
From there, Danehy bootstrapped the brand, traveling to trunk shows, trade shows, and pop-up shops around the country to share his story and his game-changing products with customers. He gained a loyal customer following thanks to their signature chafe-free BreezeKnit™ liner that disrupted the men’s swimwear space, solving the chafing issue caused by traditional mesh. Since then, under Danehy’s leadership, Fair Harbor’s innovative products have earned more than 50,000 5-star customer reviews, sold well over 1 million shorts, and exceeded $100M in sales. In addition, the brand has gained key wholesale partners and opened its first retail space in lower Manhattan, followed by a second location in Palm Beach. Fair Harbor is also sold online, in Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and more than 250 specialty retailers around the country.
18. Claire Spofford
Chief Executive Officer, J. Jill
Claire Spofford joined J.Jill in February 2021 as its Chief Executive Officer and President. She also serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining J.Jill, Spofford was the President of Cornerstone Brands. In that role, she oversaw a portfolio of four interactive, aspirational, home and apparel lifestyle brands, including Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill and Grandin Road. There, she led the team in evolving the brands into profitable, digitally-driven omnichannel businesses. Prior to this, Spofford was the President of Garnet Hill; Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at J.Jill. She’s also held numerous leadership roles at Orchard Brands, including Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Group President for Premium Brands; and President of Appleseed’s.
Before joining Orchard Brands, Spofford served as Vice President, Global Marketing at Timberland. Currently, Spofford serves on the Board of Directors for Leslie’s, Inc., the largest direct-to-consumer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry – as well as Reclaim Childhood. She previously served on the Boards of White Flower Farm and Project Adventure, Inc. Spofford received her MBA from Babson College and her Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from the University of Vermont.
19. Morris Goldfarb
Chief Executive Officer, G-III Apparel Group
Morris Goldfarb is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of G-III Apparel Group, where he oversees the strategic direction of the company and all facets of the business. He has served as an Executive Officer of G-III and its predecessors since the formation of the company in 1974. After his father, Aron Goldfarb, a holocaust survivor, founded what would become G-III in the heart of New York City, Goldfarb has grown G-III into a global design, sourcing, licensing, marketing and retail partner of choice across brands and retailers, and a best-in-class organization.
Through the Morris & Arlene Goldfarb Family Foundation, Goldfarb and his family support organizations including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ronald McDonald House, UJA Federation, the Museum at Eldridge Street and the US Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad, among other charities. He is also a founding member of the FIT Social Justice Center.
20. Heidi Zak
Chief Executive Officer, ThirdLove
Heidi Zak is the Co-Founder and CEO of ThirdLove, the top online intimate brand with millennials, that has donated over $50 million worth of products to women in need since inception. Zak co-founded ThirdLove with David Spector and Ra’el Cohen in 2013. Prior to launching ThirdLove, Zak held a variety of roles at Google, Aeropostale, McKinsey, and Bank of America.
Notably, Zak has been recognized as Fortune's 40 Under 40, EY Entrepreneur of the Year, National Retail Federation's Disruptors, Fast Company’s Most Creative People, and Goldman Sachs' 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs. In addition to contributing a weekly column to Inc.com, Zak is committed to advancing more women in tech and is an active angel investor in female-founded companies. She graduated from Duke University and holds an MBA from MIT Sloan. In her spare time, you can find her working out, or chasing after her two kids.
21. Andrea O'Donnell
CEO, Everlane
The CEO of Everlane, Andrea O'Donnell, has extensive global retail and brand-building experience – and has worked internationally for several years. She has held leadership positions with prominent international retailers and brands, including Deckers, DFS Group Limited, Lane Crawford, John Lewis, and Debenhams. Before joining Everlane, O'Donnell served as President of the Fashion Lifestyle Group at Deckers. During her time at Deckers, she led the transformation of the $2 billion UGG Brand and launched Koolaburra by UGG.
Prior to Deckers, O'Donnell served as the President of Global Merchandising at DFS Group Limited, a 5-billion dollar business owned by LVMH and was based in Hong Kong. In addition, she has served as a Board Director at John Lewis and was responsible for its Omni-channel transformation and the growth of its online business to 1.5 billion dollars. O'Donnell has a bachelor’s from the London School of Economics and an Executive MBA from the London Business School.
22. James Reinhart
Chief Executive Officer, ThredUp
James Reinhart is the Co-Founder and CEO of thredUP.com, the nation's leading marketplace to buy and sell high-quality used apparel. Reinhart graduated from the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School in 2009. He was a Goldsmith Fellow in Social Enterprise at HBS and a Bill George Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership at the Kennedy School.
Prior to Harvard, while working in the Bay Area, Reinhart helped develop one of the nation’s premier public schools, Pacific Collegiate School – annually one of the top-ranked schools in America by US News & World Report. After Pacific Collegiate, he co-founded Beacon Education Network, a charter management organization serving low-income students on California's Central Coast. Reinhart has a BA in History from Boston College.
23. Monte Deere
Chief Executive Officer, Kizik
Monte Deere is the CEO of Kizik, the industry’s leading hands-free footwear brand, boasting more than 170 pending and granted patents. Powered by the cutting-edge technology and relentless innovation of its parent company HandsFree Labs, Kizik’s fashionable, hands-free footwear fuses modern design with next-level comfort and go-anywhere versatility. Prior to assuming his current CEO role, the bulk of Deere’s career has been in law, which he practiced for 25 years. Monte and his partners built a full-service firm, where Monte led an M&A team that represented clients in more than 100 mergers, acquisitions, and debt transactions.
With Kizik as a client, Monte spearheaded the 2019 negotiation of a long-term license agreement with Nike. Monte sensed the growth potential at Kizik and came on board as CEO. Since becoming CEO, Monte has led the Kizik brand to broaden its target demographic, increase its sales meteorically year over year, and reach profitability. Furthermore, under his direction, Kizik developed a new generation of shoes that disrupted the footwear industry.
24. Eric Girouard
CEO & Founder, BRUNT Workwear
Eric Girouard is the CEO and Founder of BRUNT Workwear, a modern work boot and apparel brand designed for today’s blue-collar workers. Growing up in a blue-collar household, Girouard’s first job was roofing with his father, then at the age of 15, he started his own landscaping business and hired his childhood buddies. He went off to college to pursue his early interest in business. Prior to launching BRUNT, Girouard spent more than a decade working in the e-commerce and direct-to-consumer space at startups, including Rue La La, M.Gemi, and Trade Coffee.
Girouard realized that the 17 million Americans who wake up each morning and lace up their work boots deserve better than what the legacy brands offer them in both product, service, and community engagement. BRUNT launched in 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic, with only 3 employees working out of Eric’s home garage – and sold out within the first 9 days of launching the business. Since then, BRUNT has become one of the fastest-growing eCommerce companies in the United States.
25. Ambika Singh
CEO, Armoire
Ambika Singh is the Founder and CEO of Armoire, a clothing rental membership for ambitious women. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School, Singh has held roles at giants like Microsoft and Boston Consulting Group. She also worked at startups TravelPost and Rover before embarking on entrepreneurship.
Currently, Singh serves on the board of United Way King County. Additionally, she has volunteered as Seattle Chapter Leader for Pratham USA, the largest NGO working to eradicate illiteracy in India. She has been featured on the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list and was a finalist for GeekWire's Startup CEO of the Year. Furthermore, Singh is a sought-after speaker and has been invited to share her story at Amazon, Microsoft, American Express, Harvard Business School, MIT, and the UW Foster School of Business.