Aetrex Worldwide has named Susan Ryder as the company’s new women’s product director. Ryder, who has worked as a product designer for the footwear industry for more than 20 years, will be responsible for incorporating a fresh design sense into all of Aetrex’s women’s footwear and developing a 2008 line that will appeal to the women’s and sports fashion markets. 


“We have found just the right person for the job and couldn’t be more pleased to have Susan join us,” said Evan Schwartz, President of Aetrex. “She has been responsible for the successful design, development and launch of numerous brand name footwear lines, and I am confident that she will take our women’s footwear division to the next level.”

Ryder’s strength lies in developing and executing brand visions by producing ground-breaking, creative designs. She began her career as a product manager for Nike, and has held positions of increasing responsibility at several major brands, including Stride Rite Corporation, where she served as senior designer for Tommy Hilfiger Children’s Footwear, and KangaROOS, a division of Pentland Brands. 


As an independent designer, Ryder was responsible for the creative direction of footwear products developed for Wilson’s Sporting Goods. She has also been awarded two function patents for Tennis footwear components.


Ryder started with Aetrex in December, 2007 and will be based out of Massachusetts. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan School of Art.