Weight Watchers International Inc. appointed Mindy Grossman as president and chief executive officer effective July 2017. Grossman will also join the Weight Watchers board of directors at that time. Until Grossman’s arrival, the company will continue to be led by the members of the Interim Office of the CEO, Nicholas Hotchkin, Chief Financial Officer, and Thilo Semmelbauer and Christopher Sobecki, Directors of the company.
Grossman joins Weight Watchers from HSN, Inc. where she served as CEO since 2008, growing the company to become a $4 billion direct-to-consumer content and commerce leader that today derives over half its revenues from digital commerce. Under her leadership, she transformed the HSN brand into a lifestyle network, launched industry-leading digital innovations and formed unique and successful partnerships with leading brands and personalities. She is widely recognized as an accomplished business leader, innovator and champion for workplace diversity and equality, having been named three times by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s 100 most powerful women, among other awards and recognitions.
Ray Debbane, Chairman of the Weight Watchers Board of Directors, commented, “I’m delighted that Mindy will be joining Weight Watchers as CEO and Director. Mindy has an incredibly successful track record of bringing bold and transformative ideas to businesses to unlock their potential. Over her illustrious career, she has worked with some of the biggest brands and has consistently translated consumers’ interests and aspirations into visionary innovations. Weight Watchers has returned to growth and Mindy is the right person to take our business to a whole new level and empower the brand to realize its full potential.”
Grossman remarked, “I am thrilled to join Weight Watchers and lead the next phase of the Company’s transformation. This is a tremendous opportunity to leverage technology and consumer insights to create innovative personal experiences, build loyal communities and accelerate growth. Ultimately, the ability to inspire people to live healthier and happier lives is what excites me both personally and professionally. I look forward to partnering with the Board – including Oprah – and the team to help Weight Watchers transform the lives of people around the world through weight loss and healthier living.”
Oprah Winfrey said, “Mindy is proven as a successful visionary and entrepreneurial force in business and I look forward to working with her. She has the experience, the passion and the positive energy to take Weight Watchers to exciting new places.”
Grossman has more than 38 years of experience in building and transforming consumer brands. From 2008 to 2017, she served as CEO of HSN, Inc. and a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Ms. Grossman joined IAC, HSN’s former parent company, in 2006 as CEO of IAC Retail. Earlier career highlights include serving as global vice president at Nike Inc., president and CEO of Polo Jeans Company, VP of new business development at Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, president of Chaps Ralph Lauren, and SVP of menswear for Warnaco Inc. She also held senior positions at Tommy Hilfiger and Oxford Industries.
Photo courtesy HSN
