Co-founder, former CEO of Rent the Runway takes helm of fast-growing Babylist
Babylist has tapped a female founder who took her company public as its next CEO as it reportedly readies for an IPO.
The fast-growing platform for new parents and gift-givers named Jennifer Hyman as CEO, effective Sept. 9. She will succeed Natalie Gordon, who will transition to the role of executive chair. Gordon founded Babylist in 2011 and has led the company for the past 15 years.
Hyman co-founded Rent the Runway in 2009 and served as its CEO for nearly two decades before stepping down in May. During her tenure, she created the category of clothing rental, reshaped how fashion brands acquire customers and pioneered just-in-time reverse logistics, according to the release announcing her appointment.
In 2021, Hyman took Rent the Runway public, becoming one of a small number of women to found a company and lead it through an IPO. Hyman joined Babylist's board earlier this year.
The change in leadership as Babylist is considering a potential initial public offering as soon as 2027, reported Bloomberg. The company surpassed $750 million in annual revenue in 2025, achieving 45% year-over-year growth and its eighth consecutive year of profitability. It's tracking toward $1 billion in revenue in 2026.
Babylist, which started as a universal gifting registry, has expanded into a broader "ecosystem" for new parents. It now includes Babylist Health, which it launched in 2022 to simplify access to insurance-covered benefits and services for new moms. In July, Babylist launched Early Investor, a platform that makes educational gifting “celebratory and effortless”.
In 2023, the company opened its first physical space, an 18,000-sq.-ft. experiential showroom in Beverly Hills, Calif. A second location is due to open in New York City’s SoHo in September. The Babylist showrooms are designed for in-person discovery, education and hands-on comparison, while also serving as a content studio for creators.
Nearly 40% of first-time parents in the United States use Babylist to navigate their parenting needs across commerce, health and financial products, the company said.
"I have complete confidence in Jenn as Babylist's next CEO,” stated Gordon. “Jenn is a visionary leader who has created entirely new categories and markets throughout her career. She's a builder of extraordinary teams and culture, and the kind of leader people choose to follow, not just work for. Jenn is customer-obsessed, sees growth opportunities before anyone else does, and knows what it takes to build customer trust and connection. I can't imagine a better person to lead Babylist into its next chapter, and I look forward to partnering with her for years to come.”
