Gap Inc. Appoints Chris Blakeslee As Athleta’s President And CEO
Gap Inc. announced the appointment of Chris Blakeslee as the new President and CEO of Athleta, with his joining date set for August 7. In his role, Blakeslee will be responsible for driving strategic growth for Athleta, a women’s active and lifestyle brand that is a certified B Corporation and part of Gap Inc.’s portfolio, generatifng nearly $1.5 billion in revenue. He will build upon Athleta’s foundation of product innovation and its mission to empower a community of active, healthy and confident women and girls through the “Power of She.”
Blakeslee brings extensive expertise in the apparel retail and wholesale industries, having held various roles in marketing, sales, product portfolio management, operations and supply chain. His most recent position was as President of Alo Yoga and Bella+Canvas, sister companies, since 2017. Under his leadership, Alo Yoga experienced remarkable growth, reaching over $1 billion in sales in 2022 with a nearly doubled year-over-year growth.
Gap Inc.’s Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, Bob Martin, commented on Blakeslee’s appointment, stating, “A true brand champion, Chris is known for driving results in high-growth businesses through the blend of creativity and operational rigour. His strong leadership and proven track record in active apparel and wellness, one of the fastest and most aspirational retail sectors, make him the ideal person to lead Athleta toward long-term, sustainable growth, anchored in delivering high-quality performance products and a rich omni shopping experience.”
Expressing his excitement about joining Gap Inc., Chris Blakeslee shared his enthusiasm for leading Athleta, a brand he has long admired. He sees great potential for the brand to capitalize on its unique, purpose-led positioning and product innovation, leveraging its assets across marketing, stores, product and community to drive consistent growth. Blakeslee highlighted the appeal of the “Power of She” in engaging women and girls in all aspects of life and looks forward to working with the teams to harness this concept in a way that better serves customers’ desires and needs.
Chris Blakeslee will be joining a dedicated and capable Athleta leadership team, including Chief Creative Officer Julia Leach, who was appointed in May to articulate the brand’s voice and vision consistently across all its touchpoints.
