San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Big leadership changes coming to Levi Strauss & Co. in 2024
The longtime CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. will be retiring from the San Francisco company early next year.
Chip Bergh has served as Levi Strauss’ top leader for the last 12 years — his last day will be on April 12, the company announced in a filing Thursday.
The company’s board of directors has elected Michelle Gass, who now serves as its president, to assume Bergh’s responsibilities as CEO starting on Jan. 29.
Levi Strauss said in its filing that the promotion will complete a succession plan that it announced last November. Bergh will remain with the company until the end of the 2024 fiscal year, transitioning into the role of senior adviser.
“We would like to thank Chip for his inspirational leadership and unwavering commitment to the company over the last 12plus years,” said Bob Eckert, the company’s chairman. “Chip has transformed this company and will leave it far better than when he arrived. I know we will continue to benefit from Chip’s strategic perspective as he continues to serve on the company’s board.”
Bergh is credited with advancing Levi Strauss from a predominantly men’s U.S. wholesale bottoms business to one that is direct-to-consumer driven, with global reach. He also focused on reinvigorating the women’s business and led strategic initiatives like “claiming the naming rights for Levi’s Stadium and deepening the brand’s connection to the music industry,” the company said in its filing. He also oversaw the company’s return to the public markets in 2019 and expanded its brand portfolio in 2021 with acquisition of Beyond Yoga.
Roughly a year ago, Levi Strauss renewed its lease for 367,000 square feet at Levi’s Plaza in Jackson Square, committing to another 12 years at the Jamestown Properties-owned complex.
Bergh said in a statement that the Levi’s brand is the “strongest it has ever been.”
“As we pivot to become more of an omni-channel, direct-toconsumer retailer, it is time for new leadership,” he said. “While I’ve known Michelle for more than a decade, my time working closely with her this past year has given me great confidence that her experience, track record of innovation and impact, and passion for the business will position the company
Richard Drew/Associated Press for sustainable, profitable growth and significant shareholder and stakeholder value creation.”
Before joining Levi Strauss in January, Gass led the transformation strategy at Kohl’s and spearheaded a reinvention effort for more than 1,100 Kohl’s stores, as well as a strategic partnership with Sephora, which, as of last year, had expanded to 600 Sephora at Kohl’s shops. Before that, Gass held leadership roles over a 17-year period at Starbucks.
“I am honored to be stepping in to lead this iconic brand and company, one that I have deeply admired and respected for many years. Levi’s is more than a denim icon; it’s part of our cultural fabric and an enduring symbol of quality, innovation and progress,” Gass said in a statement on Thursday.