Collective Brands named Kristin Kohler Burrows president of Keds. Most recently, she oversaw the Jessica Simpson shoe brand as SVP at Camuto Group. She also worked as VP at Sports Brands International, the former owner of Fila.
She replaces Shawn Neville, who became CEO of Boathouse Sports, a Philadelphia maker of custom team sports apparel.
She will lead the reinvigoration initiatives for the Keds, PRO-Keds and Grasshoppers brands. Burrows will begin in her new role on Nov. 17 and report to Gregg Ribatt, president and chief executive officer of the Stride Rite Group. She will head up all functions of the Keds team including product design and development, sales, marketing, merchandise planning and operations.
“Kristin has a great background in fashion and sports brands in all aspects of bringing footwear and apparel products to the marketplace with strong demonstrated results, and we are thrilled to have her join and lead our Keds team,” said Ribatt. “Her proven track record includes her role at footwear brand management and licensing firm The Camuto Group on the Jessica Simpson brand, as well as leading the Chuck Taylor design and merchandising team at Converse. Both initiatives generated significant global growth. We look forward to her leadership and contributions to our Keds team as we amplify these iconic brands in the global market driving future expansion and growth.”
Most recently, since 2006, Burrows served as senior vice president, The
Camuto Group, where she oversaw the Jessica Simpson brand strategy and execution. From 2004 to 2006, she was vice president of global product and general manager at Sport Brands International where she was responsible for the Fila brand including the design, creation and development process for all footwear and apparel. From 2002 to 2004, Burrows was director of sports lifestyle at Converse where she managed the Converse Chuck Taylor brand for adults and children. She previously worked for adidas International, where she served in varying roles with increasing responsibility from product line manager to business unit manager. She started her career at Asics Tiger Corporation as a product line manager.
