US' Target announces updates to leadership team

Cara Sylvester has been named Target’s executive vice president and chief guest experience officer. In this new role for the company, Sylvester will lead the strategy to further differentiate Target’s best-in-class guest experience, with a focus on increasing personalisation and attracting even more shoppers to Target’s stores, website and award-winning app. She will bring together teams from across the organisation that are core to shaping Target’s guest experience, including marketing, digital and technology. Sylvester joined Target in 2007 and most recently served as the company’s executive vice president and chief marketing and digital officer. She will continue reporting to Cornell, the company said in a press release.

Brett Craig has been promoted to executive vice president and chief information officer. He will report to Sylvester. Craig joined Target in 2008 and most recently was the company’s senior vice president of digital. During his time at Target, Craig has held leadership roles across a variety of business areas, including technology and merchandising. As previously announced, Mike McNamara, Target’s executive vice president and chief information officer since 2015, shared his intent to retire. With the appointment of Craig to chief information officer, McNamara will transition to a strategic advisory role with the company through the end of January 2023. 

Matt Zabel has been promoted to executive vice president and general counsel. Zabel joined Target in 2010. Most recently he served as senior vice president of risk and employee and labour relations for the company. In that role, Zabel led Target’s internal COVID-19 task force, working across the enterprise to help guide the retailer’s planning and response efforts. In his new role, Zabel will continue reporting to Don Liu, Target’s executive vice president and chief legal and risk officer.

Arthur Valdez, Target’s executive vice president and chief supply chain and logistics officer, also will join Target’s leadership team. Valdez joined Target in 2016 and has played a critical role in transforming Target’s supply chain network, providing the retailer with unmatched agility in meeting the evolving needs of the retailer’s omni-channel guests. Valdez will continue reporting to John Mulligan, Target’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, according to Target.

Additionally, with these updates, Christina Hennington, Target’s executive vice president and chief growth officer, will assume responsibility for Target in India. Hennington joined Target in 2003. In her current role, Hennington has oversight of merchandising, product design and sourcing, as well as strategy, insights and growth. Her leadership of Target in India will drive further connectivity between Target’s multidisciplinary team in India and the retailer’s growth strategies. Hennington will continue reporting to Cornell. 

“Guided by our purpose of helping all families discover the joy of everyday life and fuelled by the most talented, committed team in retail, Target has experienced tremendous growth over the past two years. 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 organisation as we work together to meet the needs of current and new Target guests,” Brian Cornell, chairman and CEO, Target, said in a statement.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)