15 Dec Dansko Appoints New President
Dansko will promote Jim Fox, its CFO of nearly 10 years, to the role of president. Co-founder, President and CEO Mandy Cabot will continue as CEO and board chair. The changes will take effect on Jan. 1.
Jamey Mullin, currently Dansko’s finance director, will assume the VP of finance position.
“I’m thrilled to announce the next step in Dansko’s future with this progression in leadership,” Cabot said. “Sustainability has always been a priority for us, and developing our leaders and our bench strength is an important part of the process. We are fortunate to have tremendous depth and tenure on our leadership team to ensure a seamless transition and to preserve our unique culture. As we approach the fourth anniversary of becoming 100 percent employee owned, an effort championed and executed by Jim, now is the perfect time to put our succession plan into effect.”
Although Cabot will maintain visibility into day-to-day operations, it will be through a longer lens. Together with her husband and Dansko co-founder Peter Kjellerup, Cabot anticipates more outward-facing roles going forward, with greater focus on and participation in ESOP, B Corps, nonprofits and local communities.
“Taking a step back will allow me more time to focus on being the company visionary I originally set out to be and continue to propel our passion for uncommon comfort with unexpected style,” said Cabot.
Since joining Dansko as CFO in 2006, Fox created and implemented financial and operational controls that have served as the foundation for profitable, well-managed growth. He brings 14 years of experience in the footwear industry, including time as CFO of basketball footwear and apparel brand And 1. Fox successfully transitioned Dansko to 100 percent employee ownership in 2012, a career-defining success that earned him the 2014 CFO of the Year in the Medium Company Category by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
“It’s an honor to accept the responsibilities of President and I’m thankful that I get to keep working with the fantastic team of Dansko employee-owners. We’re fortunate that we can continue to rely on Mandy’s guidance as our CEO and Board Chair and we look forward to advancing the legacy of what Mandy and Peter have built,” said Fox.
Dansko is a leading developer and marketer of premium comfort footwear, 100 percent employee owned and a Founding Member of B Corporation.