Seattle — REI Co-op has made two additions to its senior leadership team. Sylvia Wilks joined REI on May 23 as the company’s first senior vice president, chief supply chain officer. Minnie Alexander will begin her role as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary on May 31.
“Sylvia and Minnie join our team from customer-centric organizations that are deeply focused on creating best-in-class experiences. Their talent will help REI deliver on our promise to inspire and enable a life outside for everyone by serving our members, employees and broader outdoor community,” says Eric Artz, REI Co-op president and CEO. “As we grow to a 50-million-member community by 2030, their leadership of our supply chain and legal functions will be instrumental.”
In this newly created role at the co-op, Wilks will be responsible for the strategic leadership of REI’s continually evolving end-to-end global value chain. She will partner with leaders across the co-op to develop the supply chain network of the future, to best serve our members and support the co-op’s growth.
With more than 25 years in the retail, food and beverage, and consumer product industries, Wilks joins REI from TireHub, an award-winning wholesale distributor and startup. Her supply chain and direct procurement leadership also includes prior roles at Kimberly-Clark and Starbucks Corporation.
Alexander will have oversight of the management, development and operations of REI’s legal division and serve as the corporate secretary. She will lead and help implement REI’s strategies by integrating legal considerations into the company framework, plans and execution. Alexander will also provide perspective and ensure compliance with REI’s cooperative business model in the interests of its members, and to the benefit of the outdoor industry. In her role as corporate secretary, she will also serve as a key advisor to the REI board of directors.
Alexander joins REI from The Walt Disney Company where she served as assistant general counsel. She succeeds Wilma Wallace, who was promoted to senior vice president, chief diversity & social impact officer and chief legal officer in fall 2021.
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI has 174 store locations in 41 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.REI.com.
SOURCE: REI Co-op