Herbert Mines Fills Another Board Position for Vera Bradley
November 13, 2024 – New York-based retail and consumer focused executive search firm Herbert Mines Associates has helped to recruit Ian Bickley as a new member of the board of director at NASDAQ-traded Vera Bradley, Inc. “We are pleased to welcome Ian to our board,” said Jacqueline Ardrey, president and CEO of Vera Bradley and an executive member of the company’s board. “Ian’s deep, decades-long executive and public company leadership experience at global fashion lifestyle and luxury brands will be invaluable to Vera Bradley as we continue to execute our strategy to build long-term value for our shareholders.”
“Ian’s appointment is another decisive step in Vera Bradley’s proactive and ongoing efforts to refresh the board,” added Frances Philip, lead independent director of the Vera Bradley board and chair of its nominating and corporate governance committee. “The breadth of brand transformation and business development expertise that Ian brings aligns with the qualities we have been searching for in a new independent board member. We are thrilled to welcome Ian to our board of directors.”
Previously, Mr. Bickley served as a key architect and leader at Tapestry, Inc. (formerly, Coach, Inc.), overseeing the company’s global expansion and growing Coach’s international sales from less than $20 million to more than $2 billion. As president of the international group for Coach, and president of global business development for all Tapestry brands, Mr. Bickley established a track record in building and revitalizing brands, developing omni-channel businesses, and managing and integrating a global multi-brand portfolio.
Mr. Bickley currently serves as an independent director and member of the audit committee and corporate responsibility and sustainability committee on the boards of directors at Crocs, Inc., and as an independent director on the board at Brilliant Earth where he chairs the nominating and corporate governance committee and is a member of the audit committee. Previously, he served as an independent director on the board at Natura & Co., where he served on the strategy committee.
Related: Herbert Mines Associates Assists Beauty by Imagination with CEO Search
Based in Fort Wayne, IN, Vera Bradley is a designer of women’s handbags, luggage and other travel items, fashion and home accessories, and unique gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand is known for its innovative designs and iconic patterns. Vera Bradley operates two unique lifestyle brands – Vera Bradley and Pura Vida, which are complementary businesses, both with devoted, emotionally-connected, and multi-generational female customer bases.
Growing Partnership
In 2022, Herbert Mines helped to recruit Ms. Ardrey as the CEO of Vera Bradley. Ms. Ardrey is an accomplished, results-oriented leader with over 25 years of experience in multi-channel retail enterprises. Before joining the company, she has been president at home furnishings and seasonal décor catalog retailer Grandin Road, part of the Qurate Retail Group. “I have long admired Vera Bradley Inc. and believe both the Vera Bradley and Pura Vida brands have untapped potential in the marketplace,” said Ms. Ardrey.
Herbert Mines Associates Assists PacSun with CFO Search
Herbert Mines Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Aina Konold as the new CFO of PacSun. She succeeds Russell Bowers, who was appointed chief operating officer of the company last year. “We are pleased to welcome Aina Konold to our leadership team as Pacsun’s new CFO,” said Brie Olson, CEO of PacSun. With Aina’s wealth of experience and extensive background in retail, digital, and international expansion, we are confident she will be a valuable addition to our team and a key driver in shaping PacSun’s future. Special thanks to Kristin Dennehy and Herbert Mines Associates for your dedication and unwavering support in helping us find such a charismatic and talented leader to join our team.”
Established in 1978, Herbert Mines is a specialist search firm focusing on the retail, fashion and apparel, beauty, consumer products and services, hospitality, leisure, restaurant, and digital/technology industries. The firm is noted for its C-suite recruiting work. Herbert Mines has conducted upwards of 3,600 searches during the tenure of Hal Reiter, who joined the firm in 1993 as president, and was appointed chairman and chief executive officer in 1998.
Brenda Malloy is the firm’s CEO. She brings over 40 years of experience to Herbert Mines Associates. During her career, she has authored numerous articles on retail CEO succession, omnichannel leadership, in addition to being a featured speaker at the National Retail Federation’s annual convention in New York City. Working with leading retailers at the senior most–levels to assemble winning leadership teams, Ms. Malloy primarily recruits board directors, CEOs, and their direct reports for publicly traded, privately held and private equity backed companies spanning vertical specialty, lifestyle and branded retail, off-price/value, grocery, hardlines, mass, and the specialty department store sectors.
Related: Herbert Mines Assists Cooks Venture with CEO Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
