Former Aeropostale exec named to Blue Nile board

SEATTLE — Blue Nile, an online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry, has appointed former Aeropostale co-CEO Mindy Meads to its board of directors.

Meads has 35 years of experience in the global apparel industry. She currently serves on two public boards — Wet Seal, a specialty teen brand, and Mela Sciences, a bio tech company. In these roles, she provides strategic counsel focused on growth and the use of multichannel business strategies.

"We are very excited Mindy is joining our board of directors," said Harvey Kanter, Blue Nile president and CEO. "Mindy has played a key role in the success of some of the world's most well-known retail brands, and her proven leadership and experience will be instrumental as we continue to build our global brand."

Previously, Meads was co-CEO of Aeropostale, where she successfully reinvigorated the merchandise assortment and launched "P.S.," Aeropostale's kids division. During her tenure, the company's revenue grew substantially and was recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Fastest Growing Companies.

Prior to Aeropostale, Meads was CEO and president of Victoria's Secret Direct. Before that, she held executive merchandising positions at Lands' End for 14 years, including CEO and president during her last two years. In these roles, she successfully built the organization's global brand around quality, value and service. Earlier in her career, Meads held a wide range of executive and operating roles at Sears, Gymboree, The Limited and Macy's.

In addition to her corporate work, Meads sits on the board of governors of Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership and the board of trustees of the Masters School. She serves as an adviser to LIM College in New York City, the Little Black Bag Accessory Company and the Be Kind People Project. She is also a former director of the Federal Reserve Board for the 7th District (Chicago) and a former director of the C200 Foundation, an invitation-only group of pre-eminent women leaders from around the world. She received a bachelor of science from the University of Illinois in 1974.

With the addition of Meads, there are nine members on Blue Nile's board.