Xero Shoes, a natural movement footwear brand, has named Kaitlyn Gering as director of global merchandise planning and Maggie Doran as U.S. national sales manager as the company “continues to build global momentum across direct-to-consumer, wholesale and distributors.”
Kaitlyn Gering is expected to lead Xero Shoes’ global merchandise planning function, “sharpening forecasting and inventory strategy to support the brand’s growth.” The company said she brings nearly 20 years of demand and merchandise planning experience in footwear.
Gering was most recently senior manager of North America demand planning for Hoka and Teva. Prior, she served nearly 20 years at Wolverine Worldwide, including over 13 years at Merrell and Chaco, leading global demand planning and integrated inventory strategy across wholesale, DTC and distributor channels.
“From max cushion to minimalism, I’m pleased to announce that I’m starting a new role as director of global merchandise planning at Xero Shoes!,” Gering posted on LinkedIn. “I’m forever grateful to the amazing people I had the privilege of working with at Deckers. I have been truly blessed to have been surrounded by greatness daily and this privilege is not lost on me.”
She continued, posting, “As I enter this new challenge, I am excited to roll up my sleeves and sponge in everything this amazing brand has to offer! It seems hard to imagine, but the people seem to be just as amazing…”
Maggie Doran is expected to lead and grow Xero Shoes’ U.S. wholesale business, where the footprint spans “130 accounts across 286 doors.” She reportedly joins the company from Allbirds, where “she built the specialty wholesale channel from the ground up, opening 100 new specialty accounts and standing up a nationwide sales agency network.”
Earlier in her career, Doran reportedly supported Xero Shoes and other outdoor brands with REI while at Shuksan Trading, and has held national sales leadership roles managing key accounts including REI, Nordstrom, Zappos, Scheels, Backcountry.com, Sports Basement, and Moosejaw. Prior to Shuksan, Doran was a regular on the outdoor industry scene as national sales manager at Sea to Summit and key sales and maketing roles at Sherpani.
Images courtesy Xero Shoes, Kaitlyn Gering/LinkedIn and Maggie Doran/LinkedIn
