Leadership Levi Strauss & Co. has announced a significant series of strategic leadership changes aimed at accelerating its transformation into a best-in-class omnichannel denim lifestyle retailer. These leadership adjustments are intended to leverage the full potential of the iconic Levi’s® brand, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable, profitable growth. By aligning its structure with key strategic priorities, LS&Co. is reinforcing its commitment to innovation, consumer-centricity, and agile decision-making in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.
A Bold Vision for the Future
Under the leadership of President and CEO Michelle Gass, LS&Co. is taking decisive steps to reshape its organizational structure to better serve consumers and strengthen its position as a global leader in denim and lifestyle retail.
“Over the past year, we’ve made bold moves to transform Levi Strauss & Co. into a world-class denim lifestyle retailer, and we’re seeing the results,” said Gass. “We believe success is built on clarity of purpose and the ability to adapt, and that’s exactly what we’re doing — aligning our structure with our strategy to drive sustainable, profitable growth. We have built a team that is agile, focused, and ready to execute on our strategies while keeping our consumer at the heart of it all. By putting our fans at the center of every decision, we are shaping Levi’s® not just as the denim leader but as an iconic lifestyle brand for generations to come.”
These leadership transitions aim to streamline operations, foster innovation, and enhance LS&Co.’s ability to adapt to a dynamic retail environment, ensuring that the company remains a frontrunner in the fashion industry for years to come.
Key Organizational Changes
1. Karyn Hillman – Chief Product and Merchandising Officer
Karyn Hillman, previously serving as Chief Product Officer, will now also oversee Merchandising in addition to Design. In this expanded role, Hillman will be responsible for defining the vision, priorities, and roadmap for Levi’s® products and branding efforts.
With over three decades of experience in design and merchandising, Hillman has played a pivotal role in shaping the Levi’s® aesthetic. She has a track record of successfully curating compelling product assortments, driving innovative go-to-market strategies, and enhancing brand value globally. Her expanded leadership scope will ensure tighter integration between product design and merchandising, ultimately delivering a more seamless and consumer-centric product experience.
2. Jason Gowans – Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Jason Gowans, formerly leading the digital function, has been appointed as Chief Digital and Technology Officer. This newly integrated role brings together LS&Co.’s digital operations and enterprise technology functions to streamline processes, unify data systems, and strengthen the company’s digital infrastructure.
By combining digital and technology leadership under Gowans, LS&Co. aims to enhance its omnichannel retail capabilities, improve customer experience, and drive digital transformation initiatives that enable seamless shopping across all platforms. Gowans’ leadership will be instrumental in fostering operational excellence and leveraging data-driven insights to inform business strategies.
3. Harmit Singh – Chief Financial and Growth Officer
In addition to his existing responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer, Harmit Singh will now oversee LS&Co.’s Transformation Program, an initiative focused on accelerating improvements in the company’s structural economics. His role will be crucial in optimizing financial strategies, driving cost efficiencies, and ensuring LS&Co.’s long-term profitability.
Furthermore, Singh will spearhead the expansion of the company’s shared services model, creating global talent hubs to enhance organizational agility and operational effectiveness. His expanded scope reflects LS&Co.’s commitment to streamlining operations and reinforcing its financial foundation for future growth.
4. Gianluca Flore – Chief Commercial Officer
Gianluca Flore will take on an expanded role as Chief Commercial Officer, now overseeing Licensing and Planning functions. This shift is designed to foster closer alignment between sales, inventory management, and product assortment planning.
By integrating licensing and planning within the commercial division, LS&Co. aims to drive greater accountability in inventory management, optimize product availability, and enhance overall sales performance. Flore’s leadership will play a crucial role in ensuring that LS&Co. continues to meet consumer demand efficiently and profitably.
5. Bernard Bedon – Chief Human Resources Officer
Effective March 3, Bernard Bedon will join LS&Co. as the new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), reporting directly to Michelle Gass. Bedon brings nearly 30 years of HR experience, with a strong background in leading global change initiatives, developing high-performing teams, and supporting workforce transformations.
Before joining LS&Co., Bedon served as lead Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) at Nike, where he oversaw HR functions for over 81,000 employees across various divisions, including the Consumer & Marketplace team, Global Sales team, and Jordan and Converse brands. His expertise in organizational development and talent management will be critical in fostering a strong corporate culture and driving LS&Co.’s people strategy forward.
6. Leadership Transition in Operations – New Chief Supply Chain Officer
With Liz O’Neill, Chief Operations Officer, announcing her retirement after nearly 12 years with the company, LS&Co. has decided to restructure the role. Instead of a direct replacement for the Chief Operations Officer position, the company will introduce a new Chief Supply Chain Officer.
This newly created role will focus on increasing supply chain agility, improving service levels, fostering innovation in logistics, and optimizing LS&Co.’s cost structure. The search for the Chief Supply Chain Officer is currently underway, and this change is expected to streamline operational efficiency while reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality products with speed and precision.
Driving Innovation and Growth
These strategic leadership changes underscore LS&Co.’s commitment to driving innovation, strengthening consumer engagement, and enhancing overall business agility. By aligning leadership roles with strategic objectives, the company is positioning itself to capitalize on emerging retail trends, including:
- Omnichannel Retail Expansion – Strengthening digital capabilities and integrating online and offline shopping experiences.
- Consumer-Centric Product Development – Enhancing product design and merchandising strategies to align with evolving consumer preferences.
- Operational Excellence – Streamlining supply chain processes and improving cost efficiencies.
- Talent Development and Culture – Building a high-performance workforce and fostering leadership growth within the organization.
A New Era for LS&Co.
With a refined leadership team and a clearly defined strategic direction, Levi Strauss & Co. is poised to accelerate its transformation into a best-in-class denim lifestyle retailer. By prioritizing innovation, operational agility, and consumer obsession, LS&Co. aims to drive sustainable, profitable growth while reinforcing its legacy as an industry pioneer.
As the company moves forward with these organizational changes, it remains dedicated to its vision of shaping Levi’s® into more than just a denim leader—but an iconic lifestyle brand that continues to inspire generations of consumers worldwide.
