J.Jill taps former Coach exec as new marketing chief
Women’s apparel retailer J.Jill is adding a marketing veteran to its C-suite.
The company has named Kimberly Wallengren as senior VP and chief marketing officer, effective April 27, 2026. Reporting directly to CEO and president Mary Ellen Coyne, Wallengren will oversee J.Jill’s brand positioning, while expanding customer reach and deepening consumer engagement.
Wallengren most recently served as the VP of marketing, North America at Coach. She is credited with leading notable initiatives across partnerships and digital platforms during her tenure, including a first-of-its-kind partnership between a luxury fashion brand and the Women’s National Basketball Association and campaigns within gaming environments such as The Sims 4 and Roblox.
“We’re excited to welcome Kimberly to J.Jill as we focus on expanding brand awareness and growing our customer file,” said Coyne, who has led the company since last May. “Kimberly brings a strong track record of leading marketing strategies that have attracted new audiences and strengthened engagement with existing customers. She has a deep understanding of today’s consumer and a proven ability to translate these insights into impactful campaigns and more effective ways to reach and engage customers, which will be critical as we look to our next phase of growth.”
Prior to joining Coach, Wallengren served as head of marketing for American Eagle’s AE77 sustainable premium denim brand, leading business and marketing strategy as well as customer acquisition and retention efforts. She previously held leadership roles at Adidas for more than 11 years, and began her career with a seven-year stint at New Balance.
“I’m thrilled to join J.Jill at such an exciting time for the company,” said Wallengren. “This brand has a strong foundation and a clear opportunity to connect with both existing and new customers in meaningful ways. I look forward to working closely with Mary Ellen and the team to build momentum and create experiences that inspire customers wherever they engage with us.”
[READ MORE: J.Jill swings to loss in difficult Q4]
Headquartered outside of Boston, J.Jill operates approximately 250 stores nationwide in addition to an e-commerce site.
