Cotopaxi is shaking up its leadership team, promoting Lindsay Shumlas to CEO and appointing board member Wendy Yang to executive chairwoman of the Salt Lake City-based outdoor brand.
Former CEO Damien Huang, who replaced Founder Davis Smith in May 2022, departed Salt Lake City-based Cotopaxi in September, according to WWD, which first reported the news. Cotopaxi did not say why Huang departed the company. Cotopaxi reduced its workforce in January 2024 to position for growth.
“I’m honored to step into the stewardship of Cotopaxi, a pioneering brand that holds deep meaning and purpose for so many, inspiring adventure, fostering community, and aiming to reduce poverty around the world,” Shumlas said in a statement. “I am committed to driving that mission forward by building on our established, successful business that delivers innovative sustainable lifestyle products that stay connected to what our consumers value most.”
Shumlas joined Cotopaxi in April 2024 as its president and chief financial officer. Yang, the former president of Hoka and Teva and a Cotopaxi board member, will support Shumlas in her new role. Davis left the CEO role to pursue a three-year religious mission in Brazil, but stayed on as chairman of the board. Smith still has approximately 18 months remaining on his mission, according to WWD, but remains involved in the brand.
“Cotopaxi is more committed than ever to the shared mission of inspiring adventure outdoors, embracing environmental stewardship, and making a positive impact on the world,” Smith said in a statement. “The business is well-positioned to drive growth and prosper under Lindsay and the expanded leadership team. Her immense experience, insight, and dedication to impact will be invaluable to our responsible business model in its next stage of growth.”
Shumlas was previously the CEO of Vici, an online women’s boutique, and before that was the CEO of swimwear company Manhattan Beachwear. In her new role at Cotopaxi, she will be focused on driving consumer-led innovation, according to a news release. The company will remained focused on giving back to the community, and the Cotopaxi Foundation has contributed more than $1 million toward reducing poverty, educational initiatives, and empowering local communities.
Kate Robertson can be reached at kate.robertson@emeraldx.com.
