Jean FontanaICR, Inc. tel: 646-277-1200 email: Jean.fontana@icrinc.com
Mr. Schwefel joined Vince in March 2021 to serve as our Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining Vince, Mr. Schwefel served as the Chief Executive Officer of Cost Plus World Market, Inc., a specialty/import retail company, from 2017 to 2021 where he transformed the organization with a focus on omni-channel performance, data-driven merchandising and marketing and partnerships. Prior to Cost Plus World Market, from 2014 until 2017, Mr. Schwefel served as the Chief Executive Officer for Dutch Fashion, LLC, where he initially started out as a member of the Board of Directors in 2012. At Dutch Fashion, Mr. Schwefel quickly expanded the retail division across all three brands: Joie, Equipment and Current/Elliott and relaunched Current/Elliott Men. Prior to this, Mr. Schwefel served as the Chief Executive Officer of Sur La Table, Inc. from 2006 until 2014. Leading up to this position, Mr. Schwefel held various executive and senior management positions both domestically and internationally at multiple brands, including Gap, Esprit, Kohl’s and Toys “R” Us. Mr. Schwefel brings to the Board of Directors extensive executive leadership experience in retail business for national and international brands.
Mr. Stefko has served as our Chief Financial Officer since September 2015. His title changed to Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer from Chief Financial Officer on September 1, 2016. Additionally, from August 2020 to March 2021, Mr. Stefko served as our Interim Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Stefko has over 30 years of senior finance and executive management experience. Prior to joining Vince, Mr. Stefko served as Group Chief Financial Officer at Sun Capital since September 2011. Prior to Sun Capital, Mr. Stefko served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrative Officer of Things Remembered, a national multichannel specialty retailer. Prior to Things Remembered, he served as either Chief Financial Officer or Vice President, Finance for various operating divisions of Cole National, lastly serving as Chief Financial Officer of Pearle Vision, a leading eye care provider. Prior to Cole National, Mr. Stefko spent 14 years with Sherwin-Williams in various consumer product, manufacturing and corporate divisions, and the last six years as Chief Financial Officer of the Consumer Brands Division. Mr. Stefko started his career with Ernst & Young.
Ms. Fogel joined Vince in January 2017 and was appointed as our Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising and Manufacturing Officer in September 2020. Previously, Ms. Fogel held the position of Senior Vice President, Merchandising, Product Development and Production from October 2018 to September 2020. Prior to joining Vince, Ms. Fogel spent a total of 18 years at Ralph Lauren companies, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer – Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren and previously as the Senior Vice President Merchandising, Design and Product Development – Polo Jeans Company. Prior to that, she held multiple leadership roles at New York & Company, including Executive Vice President of Design and Vice President of Design Casual Apparel. Prior to that, Ms. Fogel also held multiple leadership roles at Polo Jeans Company, Division of Jones Apparel Group.
Mr. Meiner joined Vince in June 2019 as our Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to joining Vince, Mr. Meiner spent more than eight years at Theory and Helmut Lang (part of the Fast Retailing group of companies), most recently serving as their SVP, Global Head of Human Resources from November 2010 to May 2019. During his tenure at Theory, Mr. Meiner also oversaw the human resources function for Uniqlo US during its initial expansion into the United States. Prior to that, he held multiple human resources leadership roles at Virgin USA, NY & Company, Gap Inc. and Saks Fifth Avenue. Mr. Meiner started his career at Saks Fifth Avenue in its executive training program and spent several years in merchandising and planning before transitioning into human resources.
Ms. Okuma joined Vince in March 2014 and was appointed Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in September 2020. Previously, Ms. Okuma held the position of Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since February 2016. Prior to joining Vince, Ms. Okuma was an associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in the firm’s New York and Tokyo offices.