Leadership Overview
Wolverine World Wide has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, human capital, supply chain, marketing, active lifestyle, legal, licensing, work footwear, and international operations.
Focused on delivering high-quality footwear and apparel, Wolverine World Wide maintains a commitment to innovation and excellence across global markets while driving sustainable growth through its diverse portfolio of brands.
Focused on delivering high-quality footwear and apparel, Wolverine World Wide maintains a commitment to innovation and excellence across global markets while driving sustainable growth through its diverse portfolio of brands.
Leadership Roles at Wolverine World Wide
Christopher Hufnagel - President & Chief Executive Officer
Christopher Hufnagel, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Wolverine World Wide, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the organization. Overseeing the integration of the four primary business segments, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between product design, manufacturing, and global distribution channels. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of market trends to maintain a competitive edge in the footwear and apparel industry. By fostering collaboration across all departments, Christopher Hufnagel drives operational efficiency and brand expansion. The President & Chief Executive Officer manages relationships with the Board to secure financial stability and sustainable growth. Through rigorous oversight of the company's diverse portfolio, Hufnagel optimizes resource allocation to meet evolving consumer demands across North American and international markets, ultimately strengthening the market position of the entire enterprise.
Susie Kuhn - President, Active Group
Susie Kuhn, the President, Active Group at Wolverine World Wide, directs the strategic growth and product innovation for the company's active lifestyle segment. Overseeing the development of performance-driven footwear and apparel, the President, Active Group ensures that the product pipeline meets the rigorous demands of modern consumers. This leadership role involves identifying emerging market opportunities and tailoring brand strategies to capture share in the activewear sector. By fostering cross-functional collaboration between design and sales teams, Susie Kuhn drives the successful launch of new collections. The President, Active Group manages the operational performance of the segment to ensure profitability and alignment with corporate goals. Through a focus on consumer-centric design and market expansion, Kuhn strengthens the competitive standing of the Active Group, ensuring the brand portfolio remains relevant and highly sought after in the global active lifestyle market.
Bornie Del Priore - Group President, Wolverine Kids & Global Licensing
Bornie Del Priore, the Group President, Wolverine Kids & Global Licensing at Wolverine World Wide, directs the expansion and brand management of the children's footwear division and the company's global licensing partnerships. Overseeing the design and distribution of kids' products, the Group President, Wolverine Kids & Global Licensing ensures that the brand portfolio maintains a strong presence in the youth market. This leadership role involves negotiating and managing licensing agreements that extend the reach of the company's core brands into new product categories and territories. By collaborating with retail partners, Bornie Del Priore drives sales growth and brand visibility. The Group President, Wolverine Kids & Global Licensing manages the operational requirements of the licensing business to ensure consistent quality and brand alignment. Through strategic oversight, Del Priore maximizes the value of the company's intellectual property, securing long-term revenue streams and market penetration.
Thomas Kennedy - President, Work Group
Thomas Kennedy, the President, Work Group at Wolverine World Wide, directs the product development and market strategy for the company's industrial and work-focused footwear lines. Overseeing the engineering of durable, safety-compliant products, the President, Work Group ensures that the brand meets the specific needs of professional workers across various industries. This leadership role involves analyzing market demand to refine product offerings and maintain a competitive advantage in the workwear sector. By managing relationships with key industrial distributors and retail partners, Thomas Kennedy drives volume and brand loyalty. The President, Work Group coordinates with manufacturing teams to ensure consistent supply and quality control. Through a focus on innovation and performance, Kennedy strengthens the market position of the Work Group, ensuring the company remains a trusted provider of essential footwear for the global workforce, supporting the company's overall mission of quality and reliability.
Nicholas Ottenwess - President - International Group
Nicholas Ottenwess, the President - International Group at Wolverine World Wide, directs the expansion and operational performance of the company's brands across global markets outside of North America. Overseeing regional sales strategies and distribution networks, the President - International Group ensures that the company's footwear and apparel offerings are effectively localized for diverse consumer bases. This leadership role involves navigating international trade complexities and identifying growth opportunities in emerging markets. By collaborating with regional managers, Nicholas Ottenwess drives brand awareness and market share growth. The President - International Group manages the alignment of international operations with the company's global corporate strategy to ensure consistent brand messaging and financial performance. Through strategic market entry and partnership development, Ottenwess expands the global footprint of the organization, ensuring that the company's diverse portfolio reaches a wider audience and sustains long-term international growth.
Amy Klimek - Chief Human Resources Officer
Amy Klimek, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Wolverine World Wide, architects the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies necessary to support a global workforce. Overseeing the cultivation of corporate culture, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that human capital initiatives align with the broader business objectives of the footwear and apparel segments. This leadership role involves designing comprehensive compensation structures and professional development programs to retain top-tier industry talent. By implementing scalable HR technologies, Amy Klimek improves operational efficiency across the Rockford headquarters and regional offices. The Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with executive leadership to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts that reflect the company's commitment to a global consumer base. Through strategic workforce planning, Klimek secures the human infrastructure required to sustain long-term innovation and operational excellence within the competitive manufacturing and retail landscape.
Diedre Slater - Chief Information Officer & Senior VP, Supply Chain & Shared Services
Diedre Slater, the Chief Information Officer & Senior VP, Supply Chain & Shared Services at Wolverine World Wide, directs the digital transformation and logistical operations that underpin the company's manufacturing and distribution networks. Overseeing the integration of advanced supply chain technologies, the Chief Information Officer & Senior VP, Supply Chain & Shared Services ensures seamless connectivity between sourcing, production, and retail delivery. This leadership role involves optimizing shared services to reduce overhead and improve responsiveness to global market fluctuations. By leveraging data analytics, Diedre Slater enhances inventory management and operational transparency across all four business segments. The Chief Information Officer & Senior VP, Supply Chain & Shared Services manages complex vendor relationships to maintain high standards of product quality. Through the modernization of IT infrastructure, Slater drives efficiency and agility, ensuring the company remains a leader in the global footwear and apparel sector.
Richard Mcleod - Global Chief Marketing Officer, Merrell
Richard Mcleod, the Global Chief Marketing Officer, Merrell at Wolverine World Wide, architects the brand identity and consumer engagement strategies for the Merrell portfolio. Overseeing global marketing campaigns, the Global Chief Marketing Officer, Merrell ensures that product messaging resonates with outdoor enthusiasts across diverse geographic regions. This leadership role involves coordinating with product design teams to align marketing narratives with the technical specifications of footwear and apparel offerings. By utilizing digital platforms and experiential marketing, Richard Mcleod expands brand reach and drives consumer loyalty in the competitive outdoor lifestyle market. The Global Chief Marketing Officer, Merrell manages the allocation of marketing budgets to maximize return on investment and support revenue growth. Through strategic brand positioning, Mcleod strengthens the market presence of Merrell, ensuring the brand remains a top choice for consumers seeking high-performance outdoor gear on a global scale.
David Latchana - Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary
David Latchana, the Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary at Wolverine World Wide, directs the legal strategy and corporate governance framework for the entire organization. Overseeing compliance with international trade regulations and intellectual property protections, the Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary ensures that all business activities adhere to legal standards across global markets. This leadership role involves managing complex litigation, contract negotiations, and regulatory filings to mitigate risk and protect the company's assets. By providing counsel to the Board and executive team, David Latchana supports informed decision-making on mergers, acquisitions, and licensing agreements. The Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary maintains the integrity of corporate records and ensures transparency in all governance matters. Through proactive legal management, Latchana safeguards the company's reputation and operational continuity, providing a stable foundation for the continued growth of the footwear and apparel business.
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Wolverine World Wide Top Executives and Leadership Team
