The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) announced that its President and CEO Juanita Duggan will step down to take on a new role. The officers of the AAFA Board of Directors are developing a leadership transition plan.
“When we brought Juanita on, we knew that she was a dynamic leader with deep Washington insight which is why we selected her to chart a new course for AAFA and that’s what she has done. Under her leadership, we have garnered important legislative wins in trade, raised the profile of the organization, and put a new architecture in place that sets AAFA up for future success,” said Rick Helfenbein, chairman of AAFA.
“I will miss working with the talented staff at AAFA and with such a supportive and engaged board of directors,” Duggan said. “While I look forward to my new role, I will always be proud of the work we accomplished ─ taking on important issues, making bold changes, and effectively communicating the industry’s point-of-view in Washington, to our membership, and in the media.”
During her tenure, the organization significantly upgraded and expanded the reach of its signature industry events, the American Image Awards and the Executive Summit, and took a proactive stand on the growing problem of counterfeits. Structurally, she oversaw the selection and design of a new office, strategically located six blocks from the Capitol, and drove the development of a three-year strategic plan.
“We’re well positioned to continue the success we’ve achieved and to remain actively engaged in the trade debates, in the fight on counterfeits, and in building our brand,” Helfenbein said.
Duggan will remain on board through the remainder of the year, and for the move into the new AAFA headquarters office.
