Keds Names New Brand President

The Stride Rite Group of Collective Brands Inc. (Lexington, Mass.) has appointed Kristin Kohler Burrows as president of its Keds division. Burrows, who has worked with such footwear brands as Fila, Asics, Converse and Jessica Simpson, will lead brand initiatives for the Keds, PRO-Keds and Grasshoppers labels. Burrows, who will report to Stride Rite Group president and ceo Gregg Ribatt, will handle product design and development, sales, marketing, merchandise planning and operations for the Keds team.

“Kristin has a great background in fashion and sports brands in all aspects of bringing footwear and apparel products to the marketplace with strong demonstrated results,” says Ribatt. “We look forward to her leadership and contributions to our Keds team as we amplify these iconic brands in the global market driving future expansion and growth.”

Burrows most recently served as senior vp, The Camuto Group, where she oversaw the Jessica Simpson brand strategy and execution. From 2004 to 2006, she was vp, global product, and general manager at Sport Brands Intl., where she was responsible for the Fila brand.