Nordstrom brings two new faces to board of directors

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Feb 27, 2019

Nordstrom has appointed two new members to its board of directors, adding Forerunner Ventures founder and managing director Kirsten Green and Glenda McNeal, president of enterprise strategic partnerships at American Express.

Green launched San Francisco-based Forerunner Ventures, one of the most successful women-founded venture capital firms in Silicon Vally, in 2010. According to a press statement, the firm "is dedicated to investing in ambitious entrepreneurs who define and dominate a new generation of commerce," with a portfolio that includes both B2C and B2B companies such as Bonobos, Dollar Shave Club, Jet and Warby Parker.

Green currently serves as a member of the board of directors at Glossier, Outdoor Voices, Ritual, Inturn and Indigo Fair, among other Forerunner portfolio companies, and has led efforts to raise more than $650 million in investments for over 80 companies.

McNeal currently leads American Express' strategy, negotiations and key initiatives for strategic relationships, including those with its largest travel, e-commerce, technology and retail partners. Previously, McNeal led the company through key expansions into new industries that do not typically accept credit cards. She currently serves on the boards of RLJ Lodging Trust and the World Travel & Tourism Council.

"As Nordstrom focuses on its ambition to be the best fashion retailer in a digital world and achieving its long-term financial commitments, we're pleased to welcome both Kirsten and Glenda to our board of directors," said Brad Smith, chairman of the Nordstrom board in a release. "The unique perspectives and experiences they bring to Nordstrom will continue to support our efforts to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers."

The company also announced that Phil Satre, a current independent director appointed to the board in 2006, will retire in May.

Following the addition of Green and McNeal, Satre's departure will bring the total number of directors to 11, nine of whom serve as independent directors, five of whom are female and three of whom are people of color.