Wolverine World Wide Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Wolverine World Wide has 7 executives leading key functions including corporate strategy, supply chain management, human resources, global marketing, international operations, work footwear, and active lifestyle branding.

Focused on delivering high-quality footwear and apparel, Wolverine World Wide drives global market expansion through a diverse portfolio of iconic brands and innovative design solutions.

Leadership Roles at Wolverine World Wide

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Christopher Hufnagel
  • President - International Group - Nicholas Ottenwess
  • President, Work Group - Thomas Kennedy
  • President, Active Group - Susie Kuhn
  • Chief Information Officer & Senior VP, Supply Chain & Shared Services - Diedre Slater
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Amy Klimek
  • Global Chief Marketing Officer, Merrell - Richard Mcleod
  • 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 entire footwear and apparel portfolio. Overseeing the four primary business segments, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures operational alignment across the global organization. This leadership role involves managing complex market dynamics and driving sustainable growth through brand innovation. By coordinating with the Board and senior leadership, Christopher Hufnagel maintains a focus on operational excellence and financial performance. The President & Chief Executive Officer prioritizes the integration of design, manufacturing, and distribution to meet evolving consumer demands. Through strategic oversight of the Rockford-based operations, Hufnagel secures the company's competitive position in the global marketplace. Ultimately, Hufnagel fosters a culture of accountability and agility, ensuring the organization remains a leader in the footwear industry while delivering consistent value to shareholders and stakeholders worldwide.
    Christopher Hufnagel

    Nicholas Ottenwess - President - International Group

    Nicholas Ottenwess, the President - International Group at Wolverine World Wide, directs all business operations and market expansion efforts outside of the domestic market. Overseeing the growth of the company's footwear and apparel brands across diverse global regions, the President - International Group ensures localized execution of corporate strategies. This leadership role involves managing international distribution partnerships and navigating complex regulatory environments to optimize market access. By identifying emerging opportunities in key international territories, Nicholas Ottenwess drives revenue diversification and brand recognition on a global scale. The President - International Group collaborates with regional teams to adapt product offerings to local consumer preferences and cultural nuances. Through the strategic management of international supply chains and retail relationships, Ottenwess enhances the company's global footprint. Ultimately, Ottenwess secures the company's competitive advantage by scaling operations effectively across international borders and maintaining consistent brand standards in every market.

    Thomas Kennedy - President, Work Group

    Thomas Kennedy, the President, Work Group at Wolverine World Wide, directs the design, manufacturing, and distribution of specialized work footwear and apparel. Overseeing the Work Group segment, the President, Work Group ensures the delivery of high-performance products tailored to the needs of industrial and professional consumers. This role involves managing product innovation and maintaining rigorous quality standards to support the safety and comfort of the workforce. By analyzing market demand for durable work gear, Thomas Kennedy drives product development and strategic partnerships with key industrial retailers. The President, Work Group collaborates with the broader executive team to align segment goals with the company's overall financial targets. Through the optimization of manufacturing processes and supply chain logistics, Kennedy ensures the timely delivery of essential work products. Ultimately, Kennedy strengthens the company's market position in the work footwear category by consistently delivering reliable, high-quality solutions to professional end-users.
    Thomas Kennedy

    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 footwear and apparel brands. Overseeing the Active Group segment, the President, Active Group ensures the development of high-performance gear that meets the needs of active consumers. This leadership role involves identifying emerging trends in the activewear market and translating these insights into successful product lines. By coordinating with design and marketing teams, Susie Kuhn drives brand engagement and market share expansion in the competitive active lifestyle sector. The President, Active Group manages the operational performance of the segment, focusing on profitability and brand equity. Through the implementation of strategic retail initiatives and digital sales channels, Kuhn enhances the visibility and accessibility of active lifestyle products. Ultimately, Kuhn secures the company's leadership in the active category by fostering innovation and maintaining a deep understanding of the evolving needs of active consumers.

    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, architects the digital infrastructure and logistics networks supporting global distribution. Overseeing the integration of technology with supply chain operations, the Chief Information Officer & Senior VP, Supply Chain & Shared Services optimizes efficiency across all manufacturing and sourcing channels. This role involves managing shared services to streamline internal processes and enhance cross-functional collaboration. By leveraging data-driven insights, Diedre Slater improves inventory management and fulfillment speed for the company's diverse footwear brands. The Chief Information Officer & Senior VP, Supply Chain & Shared Services ensures robust cybersecurity and scalable IT systems to support international growth. Through the modernization of supply chain logistics, Slater drives operational resilience and cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, Slater maintains the technological backbone necessary for the company to scale production and distribution capabilities effectively across all regional markets.

    Amy Klimek - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Amy Klimek, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Wolverine World Wide, directs talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement initiatives across the global enterprise. Overseeing the human capital strategy, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures the alignment of workforce capabilities with the company's long-term business objectives. This leadership role involves fostering an inclusive corporate culture and implementing performance management systems that drive productivity. By championing professional development and leadership training, Amy Klimek cultivates a high-performing workforce capable of navigating the competitive footwear and apparel landscape. The Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with executive leadership to refine compensation structures and retention strategies that attract top-tier talent. Through the implementation of modern HR technologies, Klimek enhances operational efficiency within the human resources department. Ultimately, Klimek strengthens the organizational foundation, ensuring the company possesses the human capital required to sustain innovation and market leadership in the global footwear 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 footwear line. Overseeing global marketing campaigns, the Global Chief Marketing Officer, Merrell drives brand awareness and market penetration across diverse international territories. This role involves analyzing consumer trends and developing innovative digital marketing initiatives to capture market share in the outdoor and lifestyle segments. By coordinating with product design and sales teams, Richard Mcleod ensures consistent brand messaging and high-impact product launches. The Global Chief Marketing Officer, Merrell manages the strategic positioning of the brand to maintain relevance in a rapidly evolving retail environment. Through the execution of targeted advertising and community-building efforts, Mcleod expands the reach of the Merrell brand. Ultimately, Mcleod drives revenue growth by connecting the brand's heritage with modern consumer preferences, ensuring long-term loyalty and sustained market presence.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Wolverine World Wide Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Wolverine World Wide?
    Wolverine World Wide is led by Christopher Hufnagel (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Nicholas Ottenwess (President - International Group) and Thomas Kennedy (President, Work Group).
    Who is part of Wolverine World Wide’s executive team?
    The executive team of Wolverine World Wide includes leaders such as Christopher Hufnagel (President & Chief Executive Officer), Nicholas Ottenwess (President - International Group), Thomas Kennedy (President, Work Group) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Wolverine World Wide have?
    Wolverine World Wide has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Wolverine World Wide’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Wolverine World Wide includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, President - International Group, President, Work Group, President, Active Group, Chief Information Officer & Senior VP, Supply Chain & Shared Services.