The latest HR moves made by leading textile and apparel companies.
Brands
Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. has tapped former Levi Strauss & Co. executive Jeffrey Hogue as its new chief sustainability officer. In addition to his most recent role as Levi’s chief sustainability officer, Hogue’s career has included positions at C&A and McDonald’s. Per a LinkedIn post from Gap Inc.’s chief supply chain and transformation officer Sally Gilligan announcing his appointment, Hogue will serve on the Gap Foundation Board and head up the company’s sustainability and CSR work.
Nike
David Denton
Nike will soon have a new executive vice president and chief financial officer as Matthew Friend steps down from the role. Succeeding him is David M. Denton, who will join the company effective Aug. 17.
Denton comes to Nike with more than three decades of experience in finance and leadership roles, including CFO roles at three different public companies. Most recently, he was chief financial officer and executive vice president of Pfizer, a position he has held since 2022. His career has also included experience at Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and CVS Health Corporation.
At Nike, Denton will head up the company’s financial operations, working closely with president and CEO Elliott Hill and senior leadership. Friend is staying on at Nike through Sept. 4 to aid with the transition.
“We’re focused on doing what Nike does best: serving athletes, leading with sport and building the most innovative products in the world,” said Hill. “Dave’s experience, judgment and operating rigor will help us execute against these priorities with consistency and build on the progress underway.”
Versace
Emmanuel Gintzburger left his position as CEO of Italian fashion label Versace on June 23. Gintzburger joined Versace as CEO in 2022 when it was still part of Capri Holdings, and he led the brand through its acquisition by Prada Group. He was previously CEO of Alexander McQueen, and he has also worked at Saint Laurent.
Prada Group told WWD, “Information about the new governance will be announced in due course.”
Rag & Bone
Valentina Lucaj has been named brand president of Rag & Bone, heading up the brand’s marketing, merchandising and commercial strategy. Lucaj was most recently at Fendi, and her career includes experience at Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Prada and Club Monaco.
Rabanne
After more than 13 years as creative director, Julien Dossena is exiting Rabanne.
In a statement on LinkedIn, the brand wrote, “With a singular vision, he redefined the house for a new generation—honoring its radical heritage while opening new paths for expression, desirability and innovation. Julien has been the architect of a remarkable chapter in the house’s history; challenging conventions, reimagining icons, and bringing together craftsmanship, culture and modern femininity.”
Golden Goose
Concurrently with its acquisition by private equity firm HSG on Wednesday, footwear label Golden Goose has made Marco Bizzarri non-executive chairman, effective immediately. The former Gucci CEO had previously been a non-executive director of the brand’s board since 2024. Silvio Campara will continue to lead the group as CEO.
Manufacturing
Alok Industries Limited
Yarn, textile and garment manufacturer Alok Industries has named Ashok Kumar Joshi as head – textile manufacturing. Joshi comes to Alok Industries with more than four decades of experience in the textile and apparel industry, including more than a decade at Welspun. In his career, he has worked on projects around productivity, quality and transforming operations.
“As Alok Industries continues its growth and transformation journey, his extensive industry knowledge and leadership will further strengthen our commitment to operational excellence, innovation and world-class manufacturing practices,” the company wrote in a statement on LinkedIn.
Eastman Exports
Gayathiri Om Saravanan
India-based apparel manufacturer Eastman Exports has appointed Gayathiri Om Saravanan as a director on its board. Her experience includes approximately a decade at Eastman Exports, as well as heading up hospitality chain Mango Hills Hotels. She has a BS in Apparel & Fashion Technology from PSG Institute of Technology and an MBA in Finance & Marketing from RVS College of Science & Arts.
“Ms. Gayathiri’s addition to the board brings valuable perspectives that will contribute to the company’s strategic direction and overall development,” the company wrote in a statement.
Technology
Badger Technologies
Badger Technologies, which specializes in retail robotic and artificial intelligence solutions, has appointed John Gehre as CEO.
Gehre has spent more than a quarter century in retail, including tenures at Bass Pro Shops, Michaels, The Container Store and H-E-B. His roles have ranged from inventory management and merchandising to supply chain and operations. Badger Technologies is entering its “next phase of growth,” as it looks to expand adoption of its solutions, which include robots that can identify out-of-stock merchandise for restocks, find inventory in the wrong place compared to planograms and alert staff to misalignments between tags and actual prices.
“Having spent more than two decades on the frontlines of large retail organizations, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be to make the right decisions when information is fragmented across teams, systems and stores,” said Gehre. “Retailers are entering a new era where robotics and AI are moving from experimentation to operational necessity.”
Badger Technologies has also named Chris Green chief commercial officer and Paul Ambruso chief technology officer, expanding its leadership team. The company has also instituted a new strategic advisory board, comprised of Pamela Kohn, the former president and executive vice president of Walmart and former chief merchandising officer at Rite Aid, Sally Beauty and Family Dollar; Jeff Williams, who previously held leadership roles at Quotient, Replenium and Amazon Global; Michael Green, whose resume includes Walmart, Procter & Gamble and Crossmark; Alex Yakulis, 45-year industry veteran and the founder of consulting firm Retail 360 Group; Suzy Monford, former CEO of Heritage Grocers Group; Randy Salley, the former senior vice president of Walmart Technology; and Brand Elverston, whose expertise is in asset protection and risk management, including time as director of asset protection strategic initiatives at Walmart.
Apexanalytix
AI supplier risk management platform Apexanalytix has appointed Peter Torrellas as CEO. Torrellas was most recently president of Cubic Transportation Systems, which includes solutions for public transit fare collection and intelligent transportation. His more than 30-year career has included roles in technology and digitalization as well as infrastructure, including a roughly 20-year tenure at Siemens.
Torrellas is coming into the company as former CEO Steve Yurko retires after more than two decades at the helm. Yurko will still serve on the company’s board of directors and support Torrellas during the transition.
Consulting
Consello
Advisory and investment platform Consello has appointed Olivia Pirovano as global chief strategy officer. Based in London, she will both guide the firm’s strategy and help advise clients. She was most recently global head of strategic initiatives at Teneo, and she has more than two decades of experience in areas including mergers and acquisitions and investor relations.
Logistics
Schneider
Austin Ramirez
Logistics firm Schneider National, Inc. announced that Austin Ramirez joined its board of directors in April. Ramirez is the CEO of Husco, a Wisconsin-based manufacturing firm specializing in hydraulic and electro-mechanical control systems for cars, agricultural equipment like tractors and commercial vehicles such as trucks and forklifts.
Education
Thomas Jefferson University
Marcia Weiss
Marcia Weiss has been named dean of Thomas Jefferson University’s newly established College of Fashion and Textiles, effective July 1.
Weiss, who has been serving as interim dean, teaches graduate-level studio classes at the Philadelphia institution. She has a BS in Textile Design from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and an MFA in Fibers from Savannah College of Art and Design. Her career has included 19 years at fabric manufacturer Burlington Industries. She also has a consulting business supporting clients on color and trend research and textile development, with wovens as a key area of expertise.
