Cityrow announced that Sharon Fox will join the company’s board of directors and Kat Cole, formerly Focus Brands; Michele Laven, iHeartMedia; Michael Landau, Drybar; and Danny Tawiah, formerly Nike; have joined its advisory board.

“Sharon is credited with building highly-recognized consumer brands, and we feel incredibly fortunate that she has agreed to apply her knowledge and expertise to Cityrow as we continue to expand our operational footprint across our omnichannel network including our in-person studios and digital fitness platform,” said Cityrow CEO and Founder, Helaine Knapp. “As a female-founded business, it is important that we surround ourselves with experienced and strong female leaders like Sharon.”

Fox joins Cityrow following the company’s completion of a $12 million Series A round. Fox has also served on the boards of aden + anais, Schleich and Criteo. She brings 25-plus years of business experience to the job. She is currently a Growth Operating Partner at Stride Consumer Partners. She has also served as the CMO of Freshly and Melissa & Doug. Fox also worked at Amazon, leading the post-acquisition integration of the Quidsi sites, including Diapers.com and Soap.com. She began her career in brand management at Kraft Foods and also worked at Unilever.

“Helaine and her team have established an incredible brand, passionate community and omnichannel fitness offering,” said Fox. “I look forward to helping the Cityrow team strengthen and expand their brand awareness, reach and presence. Cityrow has a tremendous opportunity to become one of the de facto leaders in both the explosive rowing and overall digital fitness category. Cityrow’s extensive offering of diverse fitness content underscores their core mission to make a total body high-intensity exercise routine that is low impact, results-driven and sustainable.”

Cityrow also added the following business leaders to its Advisory Board:

  • Kat Cole, former COO and president, Focus Brands and Board Member, Human Co., Slice and Milk Bar;
  • Michele Laven, chief human resources officer and chief diversity officer, iHeartMedia;
  • Michael Landau, co-founder and executive chairman of the Board of Directors, Drybar; and
  • Danny Tawiah has held senior executive global leadership roles, including Nike global VP, Digital Brand & Innovation. He is currently managing director, Mandalah US West Coast.

“I believe that the future of fitness is omnichannel, and Cityrow is one of the few companies that has the right team and strategy in place to bring this model to the masses,” said Cole. “Having built global omnichannel franchises throughout my career, I am excited to bring my experience and work with Helaine and her team to expand Cityrow’s presence across the nation.”

Cityrow’s stats include 4,000 monthly subscribers with access to 700 on-demand classes; 65 franchises sold (11 built and operational) in the U.S.; and expects to open a combined 12 company-owned and franchise studios in the next 12 months.

Photo courtesy Citryrow