Puma promoted Maria Valdes to chief product officer and to its Board of Management, effective January 1, 2023. Valdes’ current role is general manager, Puma Sportstyle.

As Chief Product Officer, Valdes will be responsible for Puma’s business units—Sportstyle, Motorsport, Teamsport, Running/Training, Basketball, and Accessories. She will also oversee the creative direction for the brand and its go-to-market strategy.

“As general manager of our Sportstyle business unit, Maria has demonstrated a strong product expertise, a great service attitude towards our retail partners and a deep knowledge of our target consumer,” said Arne Freundt, CEO. “I am convinced that her positive energy and relentless pursuit in pushing things forward make her the ideal candidate for this new role.”

Valdes has worked for Puma since 2010 as the senior head of product line management for Footwear prior to her promotion as GM/Sportstyle in 2019. Before Puma, she worked in product development and marketing for L’Oréal and at Inditex.

Starting January 1, 2023, Puma’s Board of Management will consist of four members, including Arne Freundt, CEO; Hubert Hinterseher, CFO; Anne-Laure Descours, chief sourcing officer; and Maria Valdes, chief product officer.

Photo courtesy Puma