Who is Incoming REI Co-op President and CEO Mary Beth Laughton?
Mary Beth Laughton, a footwear and fashion veteran who has held leadership positions at several industry giants, will soon take the helm at REI Co-op.
The outdoor specialty retail giant announced Wednesday that Laughton will join REI as president on Feb. 3 before assuming full CEO responsibilities on March 31. She is succeeding Eric Artz, who will retire in March.
“No other company balances purpose and performance quite like REI, and we must ensure it thrives for generations to come,” Laughton said in a statement. “That is a big responsibility, one I embrace with utmost respect for our millions of members and the thousands of employees whose passion for life outside and deep expertise set the co-op apart. I know that we will go further together and cannot wait to join you and build our future.”
Prior to joining REI, Laughton’s resume includes stops at some of the biggest names in sports, fashion and beauty.
For instance, Gap Inc. announced in September 2019 that it had hired Laughton as president and chief executive officer of Athleta, and that she would assume the role in late October. She also served on Gap Inc.’s senior leadership team. According to her LinkedIn, Laughton’s tenure came to an end in April 2023.
In August 2023, according to her LinkedIn, Laughton joined Nike as its head of global direct to consumer, which was her second stint with the brand. Previously, she held several leadership roles from 2004 to 2012, according to her LinkedIn.
Outside of footwear and fashion, Laughton held various leadership positions at Sephora for more than seven years, from July 2012 to October 2019. She ended her time with the company as its executive vice president of omni retail.
Laughton is also a former REI board director and has served on the boards of Instacart and Impossible Foods.
“Mary Beth has the ideal experience to build on this foundation and to lead REI forward into our next chapter. The world needs a strong REI, and we are confident Mary Beth will hit the ground running,” Chris Carr, chair of the REI board of directors, said in a statement.
REI stated Laughton will be on the road and in stores and distribution centers “building connections with employees, partners and community members” during the planned handover period.
Laughton will be just the ninth CEO in the retailer’s 87-year history.
Since 2000, the retailer has had four CEOs. Dennis Madsen assumed the role in 2000 and was succeeded in 2005 by Sally Jewell. Jerry Stritzke then assumed the role in 2013 and was succeeded in 2019 by Eric Artz. Prior to 2000, the CEOs included REI co-founder Lloyd Anderson, Jim Whittaker, Jerry Horn and Wally Smith.
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.