Bed Bath & Beyond taps J. Crew vet for senior HR role

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has named Lynda Markoe as executive VP, chief people & culture officer. 

Markoe has extensive industry experience from over 30 years at major retailers and will join Bed Bath & Beyond in September 2020. Since 2003, Markoe has held various leadership roles at J. Crew Group Inc., including chief administrative officer and global head of HR. 

As a key member of the leadership team, Markoe will report to Mark Tritton, Bed Bath & Beyond's president & CEO, and will be responsible for the company's “People” growth pillar, which is focused on creating a talent engine and culture that attracts, retains and develops diverse and high-performing teams.  

She will oversee the cultural transformation of the business around the company's core values and purpose. Markoe succeeds Bill Gilooly, who will work closely with her to ensure a smooth transition before departing the company.

"We are excited to welcome Lynda to our leadership team,” said Tritton. “She brings a wealth of experience from some of the world's leading retailers, delivering strategic results through talent management and cultural change. As we rebuild our authority in the home and develop our omni-always future, Lynda's experience and dynamic leadership will help connect our purpose, strategy and culture to accelerate the people-powered transformation of our business."

"Mark has assembled an impressive leadership team, and I am honored to be a part of it,” said Markoe. “I look forward to accelerating the company's cultural transformation and supporting its broader purpose to make it easy to feel at home. This transformation will be values driven with our associates at the center as we build an experience that is inspired by our customers."

During her tenure at J. Crew, Markoe drove the company's talent organization and strategies, including developing a global workforce with capabilities across, brands, channels and locations. She integrated the talent strategy and the business strategy while championing culture and associate engagement. Prior to that, Markoe was a human resources leader at Gap Inc. from 1988 until 2003.