Former lululemon CIO rejoins company as board member

Kathryn Henry is back at lululemon athletica inc., in a new role as a member of the company’s board of directors, a move the company’s founder contends is an important first step to making larger changes.



Henry served as chief information officer, logistics and distribution at lululemon athletica from 2010 to 2014. In that role, she oversaw all global information and technology operations for the company. Since 2015, she has served as a strategic consultant for retail and technology companies, in addition to venture capital, investment and consulting firms seeking executive level guidance.



"Kathryn's 20 years of strategic IT and retail experience will add a valuable perspective to our board of directors," said Michael Casey, co-chairman of lululemon athletica. "A long-time friend of lululemon, Kathryn embodies our spirit of community and brings talent, expertise and energy to the table."



Henry’s appointment was the result of Chip Wilson, founder of lululemon athletica and holder of 14.5% of the outstanding shares, exercising his right to nominate a board member.



“It’s a great day for lululemon employees and shareholders. The appointment of Kathryn to the board is an important first step in the implementation of changes that are needed with respect to culture and knowledge of technical vertical retailing,” Wilson said in a separately issued press release. “Kathryn is intimately familiar with the company. She understands both the company’s business and the importance of its culture - a culture that provided best in class financial metrics. “I also continue to believe changes are needed with respect to corporate governance.”



Prior to joining lululemon in 2010, Henry worked at Gap, Inc., where she served as VP and CIO of International IT and Gap North America and was responsible for the systems support of key international growth initiatives. Prior to that, Henry was vice president of Dockers Business Divestiture and VP of global IT strategy and development at Levi Strauss & Co.



Wilson credited Henry with building teams that led to lululemon’s rapid growth and a wide range of other accomplishments.



“In addition to her understanding of technical omnichannel retailing, Kathryn will bring to the board an understanding and appreciation of the soft side of the business – the un-measurable factors that made lululemon great and unique, such as culture and training,” Wilson added.