The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) has appointed new footwear executives to its board of directors as part of its assumption of, and effort to reinvigorate, the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY).

The new members were approved at FDRA’s virtual board meeting.

“Congratulations to these new members of the board who will help guide FDRA through continued transformation. FDRA is now more vital than ever after taking over FFANY, New York market weeks and as it continues to provide companies with key business data and intelligence,” said FDRA Chairman Mike Jeppesen, president, global operations group at Wolverine Worldwide. “These new board members will enhance our mission in support of our efforts to remake market weeks and work more closely together across categories and channels, reinvigorating the industry in 2021 and beyond.”

“I’m excited to welcome these leaders to our growing board and association. The footwear industry continues to rely on FDRA for support across all aspects of our business and adding these new members to the board will help us further collaborate on key challenges impacting the industry,” said Cliff Sifford, FDRA vice chairman and CEO of Shoe Carnival. “There is no doubt after this year that FDRA is the industry’s platform where leaders work together to solve issues and set industry priorities together. Adding these new members will only further help FDRA continue to be that guiding star we all need.”

“When executives are excited to join your board, you know you are headed in the right direction. These additions mean that as we continue to transform to meet the needs of our members, we have more leaders at the table to provide diverse voices and ideas,” said Matt Priest, president and CEO of FDRA. “They are also incredibly important as we focus on the future of market weeks and new retail products and services to support our members.

The new members of FDRA Board include:

  • Brandis Russell, Vice President, Global Footwear, Converse
  • Tanya Golesic, President, Jimmy Choo
  • Susan Itzkowitz, President, Marc Fisher Footwear
  • Keli Lerdal, Director, Global Sourcing, Target
  • Tacey Powers, EVP GMM Shoes, Nordstrom
  • Carrie Rubin, President, North America, Pentland
  • Robert Geller, Chief Revenue Officer, White Mountain
  • Jim Salzano, President & CEO, Jones & Vining