Barnes & Noble Executive and Leadership Team

July, 2026

Leadership Overview

Barnes & Noble has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, information technology, finance, and retail operations.

Dedicated to connecting readers with stories, ideas, and knowledge, Barnes & Noble fosters a love of reading through thoughtfully designed stores that serve as welcoming spaces for discovery and engagement nationwide.

Leadership Roles at Barnes & Noble

  • Chief Executive Officer - AnnieS Barnes
  • Chief Financial Officer - Edward Wilhelm
  • Group Chief Financial Officer - Emily Frost
  • President - Rebecca LaFleur
  • President - Noel Barnes
  • Newly-Created Post of President - Alan Kahn
  • Chief Information Officer - Christopher Troia
  • AnnieS Barnes - Chief Executive Officer

    AnnieS Barnes, the Chief Executive Officer at Barnes & Noble, directs the overarching strategy and vision for the company's extensive retail operations across the United States. Overseeing all functional areas, AnnieS Barnes ensures alignment with the core mission of connecting readers with knowledge and fostering a love of reading. This leadership role involves driving innovation in store design and customer engagement to create welcoming spaces for discovery and learning. By optimizing the company's market presence, AnnieS Barnes directly impacts the cultivation of meaningful experiences for customers of all ages. Ultimately, Barnes secures the company's position as a leading cultural retailer.

    Edward Wilhelm - Chief Financial Officer

    Edward Wilhelm, the Chief Financial Officer at Barnes & Noble, manages the company's financial health and strategic fiscal planning across its extensive retail network. Overseeing all financial operations, Edward Wilhelm ensures fiscal discipline and drives profitability to support Barnes & Noble's mission of connecting readers with stories and knowledge. This leadership role involves rigorous budget management, financial forecasting, and optimizing resource allocation to enhance store operations and customer engagement initiatives. By maintaining strong financial controls, Edward Wilhelm directly impacts the company's ability to invest in thoughtfully designed stores and create meaningful experiences. Ultimately, Wilhelm safeguards the financial stability necessary for nationwide growth and innovation.

    Emily Frost - Group Chief Financial Officer

    Emily Frost, the Group Chief Financial Officer at Barnes & Noble, oversees the comprehensive financial strategy and performance across all business units, ensuring robust fiscal management. Directing financial planning and analysis, Emily Frost drives profitability and resource optimization to support the company's nationwide retail expansion and commitment to fostering a love of reading. This critical role involves managing investment portfolios, assessing market opportunities, and ensuring financial compliance to facilitate the creation of welcoming spaces for discovery and learning. By providing strategic financial guidance, Emily Frost directly contributes to the company's capacity to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Ultimately, Frost ensures the financial framework supports Barnes & Noble's enduring mission.

    Rebecca LaFleur - President

    Rebecca LaFleur, the President at Barnes & Noble, spearheads key operational initiatives and strategic growth across the company's vast retail footprint. Directing cross-functional teams, Rebecca LaFleur ensures seamless execution of strategies aimed at connecting readers with knowledge and fostering a love of reading nationwide. This leadership position involves driving operational excellence, enhancing customer engagement, and overseeing the development of thoughtfully designed stores that serve as welcoming spaces for discovery. By optimizing retail processes, Rebecca LaFleur directly contributes to creating meaningful experiences for customers of all ages. Ultimately, LaFleur strengthens the company's market position and operational effectiveness.

    Noel Barnes - President

    Noel Barnes, the President at Barnes & Noble, drives strategic initiatives focused on enhancing the company's retail presence and customer engagement across the United States. Overseeing critical operational segments, Noel Barnes ensures the effective implementation of strategies designed to connect readers with stories, ideas, and knowledge. This executive role involves leading efforts to evolve store formats, foster a love of reading, and create welcoming spaces for discovery and learning nationwide. By focusing on customer-centric improvements, Noel Barnes directly supports the creation of meaningful experiences for all age groups. Ultimately, Barnes strengthens the company's commitment to being a leading cultural retailer.
    Noel Barnes

    Alan Kahn - Newly-Created Post of President

    Alan Kahn, the Newly-Created Post of President at Barnes & Noble, directs the strategic expansion and innovation within key areas of the company's retail operations. Overseeing the development and implementation of new business models, Alan Kahn ensures Barnes & Noble continues to connect readers with knowledge and foster a love of reading across the nation. This pivotal role involves identifying emerging market trends, driving operational enhancements, and cultivating thoughtfully designed stores that serve as welcoming spaces for discovery and engagement. By championing forward-thinking strategies, Alan Kahn directly contributes to creating unique and meaningful experiences for customers. Ultimately, Kahn solidifies the company's adaptive capacity and market leadership.

    Christopher Troia - Chief Information Officer

    Christopher Troia, the Chief Information Officer at Barnes & Noble, architects and executes the company's technology strategy, ensuring robust and scalable information systems. Overseeing all IT infrastructure and digital platforms, Christopher Troia drives the technological advancements necessary to support Barnes & Noble's nationwide retail presence and evolving customer engagement initiatives. This leadership role involves managing cybersecurity, data analytics, and the integration of new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience. By optimizing the digital backbone, Christopher Troia directly supports the company's mission of connecting readers with knowledge. Ultimately, Troia ensures the technological foundation supports seamless discovery and learning across all customer touchpoints.

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Barnes & Noble Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Barnes & Noble?
    Barnes & Noble is led by AnnieS Barnes (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Edward Wilhelm (Chief Financial Officer) and Emily Frost (Group Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Barnes & Noble’s executive team?
    The executive team of Barnes & Noble includes leaders such as AnnieS Barnes (Chief Executive Officer), Edward Wilhelm (Chief Financial Officer), Emily Frost (Group Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Barnes & Noble have?
    Barnes & Noble has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Barnes & Noble’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Barnes & Noble includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer, President, President.