Williams-Sonoma has announced executive moves intended to strengthen the business strategy and efficiencies of the Pottery Barn brands as well as the company’s global business and marketing departments after recently announcing the appointment of a new president of its West Elm banner.
Pottery Barn president, Marta Benson will expand her role to become CEO of Pottery Barn Brands. She will report to Williams-Sonoma, CEO, Laura Alber and oversee the Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen brands while remaining Pottery Barn president, the company reported. Over 12 years with Williams-Sonoma, Benson has led dynamic growth in Pottery Barn, the company added, positioning the brand with differentiated design offerings while amplifying sustainability as a core value and driving the brand’s digital transformation. Benson’s background in strategy and business development, along with her entrepreneurial track record, will help drive growth and synergies across the Pottery Barn family of brands, Williams-Sonoma asserted.
Jen Kellor, president, Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen, will continue to lead the strategy and operations of those banners while reporting to Benson. In 25 years with Williams-Sonoma, Kellor has developed a proven track record of delivering results and successfully growing the Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen brands, the company noted.
In addition, Williams-Sonoma has promoted Michelle Hummel to lead the company’s global business. She assumes the role after serving as the interim leader since July 2022. She has held various leadership roles in merchandising and business development across the William-Sonoma brand portfolio during her 24 years with the company and has been a key leader of the global business for the past 10 years.
Williams Sonoma has promoted Abby Teisch to lead the company’s cross-brand marketing teams including customer relationship management, marketing strategy and analytics, digital marketing, and loyalty. She has been with Williams-Sonoma for more than 17 years and was recently appointed the interim leader of the marketing teams, the company stated, following the promotion of former chief marketing officer, Felix Carbullido to president of the Williams Sonoma brand in July 2022.
The promotion and alignment of the executives will create corporate synergies that can deliver value for customers and shareholders and demonstrates the strength of the company’s leadership bench, the company noted.
“Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is known for developing leaders and attracting the best talent in the industry,” said Williams-Sonoma, president and CEO, Laura Alber, in announcing the executive mores. “This promotion of internal, long-tenured leaders with proven track records of delivering results, reflects the strength of our leadership bench. These leadership moves, coupled with our recent appointment of Day Kornbluth as the new president of West Elm, positions us with an incredibly strong team to deliver long-term growth and success for Williams-Sonoma, Inc.”
