Diane Sullivan steps into CEO role at Brown Shoe Company

Diane Sullivan is now CEO, president and chairman of the board of Brown Shoe Company. The company’s board of directors appointed her as chairman last June, and her new role became effective Feb. 2.



Sullivan was named president and CEO in May 2011. Since that time she has been focused on aligning the company’s brands and businesses with both its mission and strategic financial goals. During the past two years, Brown Shoe Company has made great strides in its portfolio realignment efforts at the infrastructure, retail and brand levels, which has led to a significant improvement in shareholder value.



Sullivan joined Brown Shoe Company in 2004 as president and assumed the additional role of chief operating officer in 2006. She was elected to Brown Shoe Company’s board of directors in 2007. Prior to Brown Shoe Company, she worked at the Stride Rite Corporation, where she served as president and chief operating officer of the corporation and as a member of the board of directors. From there, Sullivan went to Phillips-Van Heusen as vice chairman of footwear before joining Brown Shoe Company. In addition to serving on several footwear industry boards, Sullivan is currently on the boards of BJC HealthCare and Enterprise Holdings, as well as the board of trustees at Washington University.