The Two Ten Footwear Foundation Board of Directors confirmed New Balance President & CEO Joe Preston as Board chair, succeeding outgoing chair David Kahan, president and CEO of Birkenstock USA. Kahan has served as Board chair since 2021. 

Jonathan Frankel, president of Aldo Product Services, Aldo Group, now serves as Board vice chair.

“We are excited to move into a new phase of Board leadership as we mark our 85th year of service to the U.S. footwear community,” said Shawn Osborne, president and CEO of the Two Ten Foundation. “Under David’s leadership, the Board helped advance our education programs, and we are poised to build on those successes with Joe taking the helm. Joe and Jonathan are both deeply committed to our mission, and I believe that commitment, coupled with their business experience, will only strengthen Two Ten as we continue our work bringing hope, opportunity and community to the industry workforce.”

Preston has been a long-time footwear industry veteran and the CEO of New Balance, Inc. since 2018. The Foundation cited in a release that the company is a $5 billion global footwear and sportswear brand committed to domestic manufacturing. 

In addition to serving on the Two Ten Board of Directors, Preston is also reportedly an Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors for the American Apparel & Footwear Association, a member of the Board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association and chair of the Board of Trustees for The Sports Museum.

“Two Ten helps the most vulnerable individuals and families in our footwear community,” said Preston. “Their powerful combination of emergency relief, educational programs and professional/networking groups helps lift lives. The Foundation not only gives hope to colleagues going through hard times but also creates opportunity to rise.”

Jonathan Frankel is also said to advocate for the Two Ten mission. The new vice chair cited a focus of the Foundation that his team at the Aldo Group is proud to share: accelerating women’s careers in the footwear industry.

“Two Ten is working to create a more diverse and inclusive footwear community where everyone can feel they belong and are valued. We share that vision,” said Frankel, adding, “The Foundation’s emphasis on elevating women in the industry, helping to ensure equitable access to opportunity, is particularly important.”

In their new roles, Preston and Frankel will further the Two Ten mission and lead its newly expanded Board, the Foundation added.

During the last two quarters of 2023, Two Ten reported it appointed six new members to its Board of Directors, extending areas of expertise and diversity of perspectives. The recently appointed members include:

  • Jennet Chow, founder and co-CEO, Evolution Design Lab and Jellypop Shoes
  • Kathy Forstadt, senior director of merchandising, Zappos.com
  • Christina Gigante, VP of sales, Skechers
  • Ronnie Jefferson, SVP and GMM, Finish Line at Macy’s
  • Tacey Powers, EVP and GMM, Nordstrom Shoes and Kids Apparel
  • Ed Rosenfeld, chairman and CEO, Steve Madden

Images courtesy Two Ten