Thought Leadership

Tom Nolan is Chief Executive Officer of Kendra Scott, the well-known jewelry brand that has captured the hearts of its diverse and loyal customers.  He is focused on oversight and strategy while ensuring the brand’s core pillars of fashion, family, and philanthropy are exemplified in all touch points of the business.  Tom’s earlier experiences working for dynamic clients and companies include Ziff Davis, Condé Nast, and Ralph Lauren.  Later he founded Prospective Brands, LLC as President & Chief Executive Officer of apparel brands Duck Head, Gyde, and Crittenden.  Tom is a Board Member of Kendra Scott, Mizzen + Main, and Tommy John, as well as an investor in Sweetens Cove Golf Club and Spirits businesses.  

Tim Boerkoel at The Brownestone Group had the opportunity to talk with Tom to discover how his range of experiences has prepared him for his current role and how he is able to partner with a mission-driven founder to bring the values to a broad and curious customer base.  We found it compelling that his personal and professional interests have been a perfect match to guide the company to its next phase of growth.

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Jonathan Hewlett is Chief Executive Officer at w’air, the emerging and new sustainable fabric care device company that utilizes innovative hydrodynamic technology.  Jonathan’s diverse and rich global brand expertise fully prepared him for the unpaved path he is on today.  His early development and leadership training at Procter & Gamble International is noteworthy. Jonathan’s experiences include sales and brand & trade marketing, launching new products within haircare, and licensing Prestige Beauté & Fragrances with Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Hugo Boss, & Lacoste.  He pivoted to the premium apparel and lifestyle fashion industry at Diesel SpA in Managing Director roles in London and Northern Europe, and later in regional CEO leadership positions in Shanghai and Milan.  Jonathan’s next move took him to Marc Jacobs International as Chief Commercial Officer based in New York with responsibility for new global strategic initiatives across all channels. 

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Julie Bornstein, Chief Shopping Officer at Pinterest, is a highly regarded veteran in the spaces of digital, marketing, and retail.  Over the course of her career, she’s led innovation efforts within a wide and impressive range of industries, holding positions at Starbucks, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, Sephora, and Stitch Fix, along with serving on the boards of Redfin, WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers), and sweetgreen.  The diverse skillset Julie has acquired through her roles, paired with her own personal passions and business ambitions, eventually led to the launch of her very own fashion-ecommerce company, THE YES, and her most recent celebration of its acquisition by Pinterest.

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Niki Leondakis, President & Chief Executive Officer at CorePower Yoga, has been a yoga enthusiast for many years.  The company is based in Denver, CO, and is positioned for growth with Niki responsible for the portfolio of the brand.  Over the past two years, she has been partnering with her team and their Board members to ensure that the company is authentic to both existing and new members.  She has utilized her diverse background to ensure that each aspect of the company is a customized experience. 

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Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, President & Chief Executive Officer, Americas, and Global Head of the Luxury Practice at ESW (formerly eShopWorld) is known for being a transformational leader possessing a proven record in digital innovation, customer experience, global brand development, and international strategy.  His earlier background with other well-known global brands included EMAAR Malls PJSC, owner of The Dubai Mall, and Marks and Spencer PLC.  Patrick’s tenure also includes working within the beauty, cosmetic, and fragrances industry with The Estee Lauder Companies, Parfums Christian Dior at LVMH, and Elizabeth Arden spanning e-commerce, retail and wholesale globally is immense.  Additionally, Patrick has served as a Board Member actively participating with Brown-Forman, Flow Water, HSNi, Purdue University, Prince’s Trust to name a few.

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Kevin Corning is President, Latin America for Bata Corporation – a family-owned business founded in 1894, and the world’s second-largest shoemaker by volume, known for innovation and designing stylish and comfortable footwear.  He is based in Santiago, Chile, and is responsible for leading this omnichannel footwear and accessories business with 1000 stores and operations in six countries, including DTC, along with three manufacturing factories.  His current role is a comprehensive range of accountability including creative ideation, merchandising, brand marketing, product development, supply chain, and emerging technology.  Given Kevin’s diverse and well-rounded international background and having worked within the consumer package goods, industrial, accessories, apparel, and footwear sectors, he is able to contribute significant knowledge and a fresh perspective to many facets of the business.

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