Neiman Marcus Group has named Katie Mullen to the newly created role of Chief Transformation Officer, according to Dallas Business Journal. In this position, she will drive CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck’s transformation plan, commercialize new ideas, spearhead growth initiatives, and handle program and change management and corporate communications.
Mullen was most recently a Partner and Managing Director at Boston Consulting Group, where she was responsible for designing growth initiatives, innovating business models and leading growth initiatives for global retailers and others.
“Katie has been a critical partner to our organization over several years and specifically very recently in co-authoring our growth roadmap,” said van Raemdonck in a statement. “Her track record of leadership and insight in our sector makes her the clear choice to oversee the strategic deployment of our company’s evolutionary initiatives. I am confident that she will challenge us with a fresh, external perspective, but will also take care to protect what is special about Neiman Marcus Group as we drive change throughout the organization.”
Neiman Marcus Also Bolsters Wider Leadership
Mullen’s appointment follows a late September shakeup of the senior executive team, promoting three executives and adding two new hires as Neiman Marcus seeks to build a culture of innovation and improve the luxury experience offered to shoppers worldwide.
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The three promotions are:
- Carrie Tharp, EVP, Chief Digital Officer: Tharp will spearhead the evolution of data and digital analytical tools to enhance omnichannel experiences, with an emphasis on customer engagement;
- Adam Orvos, EVP, CFO and COO: Orvos will oversee a wide range of units across the company, including Information Technology and Cyber Security, Supply Chain and Operations and Legal; and
- Tracy Preston, SVP, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer: Preston will support Orvos’ efforts across Neiman Marcus.
Both Tharp and Orvos were given expanded oversight to help deliver van Raemdonck’s strategy to position Neiman Marcus for future growth. Their efforts will be assisted by two new hires:
- Stefanie Tsen, SVP, Omnichannel Customer Experiences: Tsen has previous experience as VP of Omnichannel Experience at Sephora and VP, Country Manager, Canada at Louis Vuitton; and
- Darcy Penick, President, Bergdorf Goodman: A former Neiman Marcus executive, he was most recently CEO of ShopBop.
These personnel changes come during a tumultuous year for Neiman Marcus that began with former President and CEO Karen Katz retiring in February 2018. In October 2018, the luxury retailer was reportedly in talks with a group of creditors in an attempt to restructure debt and avoid a bankruptcy filing. Neiman Marcus is facing $4.7 billion in debt, almost all of which comes due in 2020 and 2021.
