Hanna Andersson names Joelle Maher President and CEO

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
May 26, 2017

Portland, OR-based children's lifestyle brand Hanna Andersson has named Joelle Maher as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Hanna Andersson serves children from birth to age 12. It also has a complementary women's line.

Maher brings over 25 years of experience in branded apparel to the company. She comes most recently from Sears Holdings Corporation having served as their President and Chief Member Officer. She has held senior leadership positions at Macy's East, Lucky Brand Jeans and all of the key San Francisco-based brands including Levi Strauss & Co., Gymboree Corp. and Old Navy.

She began her career as a buyer at Lord & Taylor and brings a strong understanding of retail planning and operations to the role.

She was specifically hired by Hanna Andersson to build out the company's e-commerce presence. Her key areas of expertise include building brands across digital channels and using a data-focused approach to customer service.

Maher said of the brand, "Hanna Andersson has a deep emotional connection with customers, who are fiercely loyal to – and constant promoters of – the brand, which I have found to be critical for any concept to achieve sustained success."

Maher will be based in Portland, OR at Hanna Andersson's headquarters. She succeeds Adam Stone who joined the company in 2005 and became CEO in 2010. He is now leaving the company.

Stone appears to be leaving on good terms, commenting that "while it was a difficult decision, the time is right for me to pursue the next chapter in my personal and professional life.""

Maher will step into her new role as President and CEO effective May 30, 2017.