The North Face Names First Female Global Brand President

The North Face (Denver) has appointed its first female Global Brand President, Nicole Otto, according to Outside Business Journal. Otto, a former Nike exec who spent 16 years with the company, will succeed Steve Murray, who is retiring, in June 2022. She will report to VF Corp.’s (Denver) CEO Steve Rendle.

Otto previously worked as VP of Nike Direct North America and oversaw the retailer’s digital experiences as well as factory and inline stores.

Rendle says, “Nicole is the right leader who brings the right capabilities to The North Face brand at the right time … Her global industry experience and deep understanding of consumer engagement strategies, through both physical retail and digital commerce, make her ideally suited to take the helm of this iconic brand and accelerate growth through even more compelling direct connections with consumers worldwide. Nicole is a proven innovator and future-focused leader who will further strengthen The North Face brand’s exceptional global executive team. We’re excited to welcome her to the VF family.”

Otto is the first woman to hold the Global Brand President role at the outdoor apparel retailer.