Ryan Gellert takes over as CEO of Patagonia

By

Olivier Guyot

Published
Sep 26, 2020

This spring Patagonia announced the departure of its charismatic CEO Rose Marcario, who has been leading the American brand founded by Yvon Chouinard since 2014. Under her leadership, the group, which offers apparel and equipment for activities in the great outdoors, has strengthened its image as a company that is both socially and environmentally responsible. Following the announcement of her exit, the next logical question was that of who her successor would be. 

Ultimately Patagonia has chosen to promote its next chief executive from its own in-house talent pool. Ryan Gellert has therefore left Amsterdam and his role as general manager of the company's business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, in order to become CEO of Patagonia Works, the group's holding company. 

Having worked at high-end outdoor label Black Diamond for 15 years, Gellert took on the position of general manager of EMEA at Patagonia in 2014. "He elevated Patagonia to a leading position in the European outdoor sector, in terms of both the industry and environmental communities, supervising all sales, marketing, environmental and operational activities at the brand," explained the group in a release. 

The B corp certified company has also created two new executive roles. 

Jenna Johnson, who previously led the technical outdoor branch of Patagonia, has been promoted to the newly created position of CEO of Patagonia, Inc., a role in which she will oversee the brand's apparel and equipment divisions. 

Lisa Williams is also rising through the ranks at the company. Having joined Patagonia in 2001, the executive has now been named head of innovation, design and merchandising. In this role, she will support the company in its efforts to develop its use of new materials and its approach to different commercial models, as well as in its work to reduce its carbon emissions.

Patagonia has some 100 company-owned stores around the world and reportedly achieved over $1 billion in revenues in 2018.