Target Announces Strategic Updates to Executive Leadership Team; Brian Cornell Comments
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - The professional development of five industry members was furthered this week, as Target announced a slew of leadership changes. Cara Sylvester, Brett Craig, Matt Zabel, Arthur Valdez, and Christina Hennington are all entering new roles as the retailer looks to bolster its operations.
Sylvester, who joined Target in 2007, will be entering the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Guest Experience Officer. This newly created role will allow her to help further differentiate Target’s guest experience, with a focus on increasing personalization and attracting more shoppers to stores, the website, and the award-winning app.
Sylvester will continue reporting to Brian Cornell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Craig has also been promoted, now entering the role of EVP and Chief Information Officer.
In this role, Craig will be reporting to Sylvester. According to a press release, he joined Target in 2008 and most recently was Senior Vice President of Digital. He has held leadership roles across a variety of business areas, including technology and merchandising.
With these changes, Mike McNamara, Target’s EVP and CIO since 2015, will transition to a strategic advisory role with the company through the end of January 2023.
Zabel, who joined Target in 2010, has also been promoted to an EVP position, taking on Executive Vice President and General Counsel. He will continue reporting to Don Liu, who is the current Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Risk Officer.
Valdez has been named as the new EVP and Chief Supply Chain and Logistics Officer.
He first joined Target in 2016. Valdez has provided the retailer with unmatched agility in meeting the evolving needs of the retailer’s omnichannel guests. In this capacity, Valdez will continue reporting to John Mulligan, EVP and Chief Operating Officer.
Hennington, EVP and Chief Growth Officer, will assume responsibility for Target in India.
Hennington joined Target in 2003 and has oversight of merchandising, product design and sourcing, as well as strategy, insights, and growth. She will now drive further connectivity between Target’s multidisciplinary team in India.
Hennington will continue reporting to Cornell.
“Guided by our purpose of helping all families discover the joy of everyday life and fueled by the most talented, committed team in retail, Target has experienced tremendous growth over the past two years,” said Cornell. “The updates we’re making to our leadership team reflect the size and scale of our more than $100 billion business, while also positioning the company for continued momentum well into the future. I have tremendous confidence in these leaders and the value they bring to our organization as we work together to meet the needs of current and new Target guests.”
For more information on these new leaders, access the full press release here.
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