Macy's appoints new chief information officer, streamlines leadership structure

By

Robin Driver

Published
Mar 2, 2021

New York-based department store retailer Macy’s, Inc. announced on Monday that it has named Laura Miller as its new chief information officer and made a series of other senior leadership changes as part of its three-year Polaris strategy.

 
In her new role, Miller will be responsible for overseeing the company’s information technology platforms and teams. She succeeds Naveen Krishnam, who is leaving the company, and will report directly to Macy’s chairman and CEO Jeff Gennette. Her appointment is effective March 15, 2021.
 
Most recently, Miller served as chief information officer of InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG), where she was responsible for strategy, delivery, operations and security for a network of over 5,900 hotels in more than 100 countries. During her time at the company, she also implemented a range of transformations, such as the launch of a new central reservation system that led to increased revenue and reduced operational costs.

Prior to joining IHG in February 2018, Miller was senior vice president at First Data Corporation. She was also a member of the technology mergers and acquisitions team at TD Ameritrade, having previously served in senior leadership roles at The Patent and Trademark Office, The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montogmery County, Maryland, and British Aerospace, PLC.
 
“I am thrilled to welcome Laura to Macy’s, Inc. as chief information officer,” said Gennette in a release. “Her deep experience implementing technology-enabled strategies will play an important role in advancing our work to improve the full omni shopping experience and modernize our platforms.”
 
Among the other leadership changes announced by Macy’s, chief operations officer John Harper is leaving the company, effective August 1, 2021. Following his departure, the role of COO will be eliminated, with chief stores officer Marc Mastronardi and chief supply chain officer Dennis Mullahy reporting directly to Gennette from then on.
 
Bluemercury CEO and co-founder Marla Beck will also be leaving the Macy’s retail group this summer. Macy’s has already begun searching for her replacement, who will report to Bloomingdale’s chairman and CEO Tony Spring.
 
Finally, Chuck DiGiovanna, the current Macy’s vice president for real estate, has been appointed as the leader of the company’s real estate function. She succeeds Douglas W. Sesler, who is leaving the retailer, and will report to CFO Adrian V. Mitchell.
 
“As a digitally led omnichannel retailer, Macy’s, Inc. is in the midst of an exciting transformation,” added Gennette. “We are building a diverse leadership team that includes a blend of new talent with outside perspectives along with our tenured and best developed leaders who will accelerate the progress of our Polaris growth strategy.”
 
In particular, Gennette highlighted that the new reporting structure should lead to increased efficiency at the company as it seeks to drive both top and bottom-line growth on its path to recovery.
 
Macy’s revenues fell to $17.3 billion in 2020, compared to $24.6 billion in the previous year. The company’s annual loss totaled $4.0 million. 

As part of its recovery strategy, the company, which currently operates some 540 locations, expects to close more than 30 stores this year.