The Lead Announces the 2024 Direct 60 List:
Top Executives Mastering the Business of Brands

The Direct 60 List honors the digitally-minded executives redefining go-to-market strategies for the world’s most iconic brands. Leveraging technology, innovation, and next-generation strategies, these leaders drive growth and position their brands for success in a consumer-centric, data-driven world. As digital acceleration reshapes the industry, The Lead is at the forefront, connecting forward-thinking brand leaders with the insights and tools needed to thrive in the new digital era.

New York September 4, 2024 – Today, The Lead, an industry events and media company that helps brands compete in an increasingly digital and direct selling environment, announces The 2024 Direct 60 List. This prestigious list is a recognition of the top 60 executives at iconic brands who are helping their organizations succeed in consumer-focused, digital, and data-driven business environments. The honorees are recognized for developing strategies and achieving impressive results, to stay ahead of change and succeed in a highly competitive landscape. 

The Lead tracks technology and business model innovation in the fashion, beauty, and consumer industries and is the leading voice on the business of brands and their digital acceleration. The Lead is uniquely qualified to identify the executives at iconic brands who are adopting winning strategies.

The Direct 60 List Honorees respond to evolving market conditions by effectively leveraging technology and restructuring business practices. They deploy a combination of initiatives to meet the brand’s growth objectives: strategic investments in technology; advancing brand relevance and appeal (with existing and new customer segments); developing new products (or categories); effectively meeting customer expectations or needs; spotting and mastering innovation trends; creating delightful, unique and optimized customer experiences; achieving agile, customer-centric, and data-driven organizations. 

“For brand leaders, the pace of change has accelerated in the last few years. This is because consumer attention and loyalty have decreased, and technology evolution has intensified. The honorees on The Direct 60 List have been selected for their ability to effectively navigate through major technology changes in dynamic business environments. These executives have boosted their businesses with digital capabilities, talent, and processes. Their accomplishments highlight the strategies that brands need today to succeed.” said Sonal Gandhi, Chief Content Officer at The Lead. 

The 2024 Direct 60 List Honorees:

• Aaron Rose, Chief Commerce and Experience Officer, Banana Republic
• Alex Frias, EVP, Marketing, Steve Madden
• Amy Calhoun Robb, Chief Marketing Officer, Hint
• Amy Silino, VP, Growth & Performance Marketing, Land’s End
• Anik Chaudhry, VP, Data & Consumer Insights, Marquee Brands
• Angie Rieger, Chief Transformation Officer, Land’s End
• Anna Farberov, General Manager, PepsiCo Labs, Pepsico
• Anne Spletzer, VP, Managing Director, US/CA, Dockers
• Austin Hodges, Chief Marketing Officer, Nuna Baby
• Becca Mignanelli, VP, eCommerce, Coach
• Carolyn Glynos, President, USA, French Connection
• Chris Jones, VP, Planning, Spanx
• Chris Zahner, SVP, Head of Digital & Ecommerce Technology, Signet Jewelers
• Christian Lang, VP, Integrated GTM Transformation, Lululemon
• Cristina Marinucci, Global Head of Shopper Excellence – VP, Insights & Analytics, Mondelēz International
• Cyntia Leo, Head of Brand Marketing, Urban Outfitters
• Dana Klein, VP, Direct, North America, Converse
• Daniel Martinez, Global Retail Director, FARM Rio
• David Baker, Chief Digital Officer, Beekman1802
• David Roselle, VP, Ecommerce Sales, Randa Apparel and Accessories
• David Ting, Chief Technology Officer & Global General Manager, Zenni Optical
• Ellie Off, VP, Marketing, Every Man Jack
• Ellie Quartel, Chief Digital Officer and Head of DTC, Fossil Group
• Emma Lawson, SVP, Digital, SKIMS
• Erica Young, VP, Consumer Marketing & Global CRM, Michael Kors
• Giovanni Lepori, VP, Global Retail Development, Rothy’s
• Jenn Volk, Head of Digital, Americas, H&M
• Jenny Oh, GM Labs, Tech Venture & Innovation, Pepsico
• Jeremy Harris, VP, Global Brand Technology, Estee Lauder Companies
• John St Juliana, VP and General Manager, MotoSport.com (Backcountry)
• Jordan Lustig, VP, Ecommerce, Ann Taylor & LOFT
• Josh Lieberman, SVP, eCommerce, Aritzia
• Katia Berlin, VP, Strategy and Transformation, APP Group (Mackage / Soia & Kyo)
• Katie Reeves, Managing Director, COS North America
• Kevin Shapiro, SVP, US Marketing – Consumer Beauty, Coty
• Koral Chen, SVP, Brand Development and Licensing, SMAC Entertainment Michael Strahan™ / WEAR by Erin Andrews / Snoop Doggie Doggs
• Kristin Patrick, Chief Marketing Officer, Marc Jacobs
• Leila Jalai, SVP, Global Planning & Inventory Management, David Yurman
• Lou Alaimo, VP, Digital Commerce, PIM Brands
• Mark Katz, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer, Vera Wang
• Mimi Ruiz, VP, eCommerce, Columbia
• Miryha Fantegrossi, SVP, Merchandising & Design, Wacoal America
• Mike Brown, VP, Retail Operations, PVH Corp.
• Naveen Seshadri, Global Head of Consumer Technology & Digital Commerce, NA, Ralph Lauren
• PJ Oleksak, CEO, Nuts.com
• Preeti Singh, VP, Marketing, Nicole Miller
• Prasad Tendulkar, VP, Engineering, Under Armour
• Rachel Terrace, Chief Brand Officer, Marquee Brands
• Renee Halvorsen, Chief Marketing Officer, Marine Layer
• Ron Ijack, SVP, Head of Information Technology (Former), Roots
• Sarah Angelmar, Executive Director, Customer Experience, Clarins Group
• Scott Lux, Global EVP, Ecommerce, Technology, and Innovation, Esprit
• Shane Grenley, International Retail Director – North America, Mango
• Slisha Kankariyam, SVP, Ecommerce and Digital Marketing, Adrianna Papell
• Steph So, SVP, Digital Experience, Shake Shack
• Suparana Shokeen, VP, Retail IT Lead, Capri Holdings
• Tamara Pircz, AVP E-commerce, United Legwear
• Tracy Knauer, VP, Marketing, Ecommerce & Consumer Analytics, North America, New Balance Athletics
• Victoria Katsarou, VP, eCommerce, North America, MAC Cosmetics
• Victoria Santoriello, VP, Global Customer Experience & Product Strategy, Kate Spade

The Direct 60 List Honorees will be recognized in person at The Direct 60 Forum on October 10th in New York City. In its fourth year, this by-invitation event features a Red Carpet Welcome, The Direct 60 Award Presentations, Executive Dinners, Curated Roundtable Discussions, Special Social Events, Giveaways, a VIP Reception, and more.

The Direct 60 List is presented in partnership with Bluecore and Session AI.

ABOUT THE LEAD

The Lead is a media and events company that helps brands compete in an increasingly digital and direct selling environment by introducing future business trends, presenting winning strategies, and connecting brands with the right technologies. Unlike conferences and information outlets that focus either on big retail or just a single stakeholder, The Lead showcases actionable insights across marketing, ecommerce, stores, customer experience, and last mile for brands selling direct.

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Press Contact: cj@the-lead.co