Halley Knigge, REI Co-op’s divisional VP of communications, community and inclusion, has departed the outdoor retailer after eight years with the company.
Knigge spearhead several significant initiatives during her time at the Co-op, reported PRWeek. She guided communications during the leadership transition when Mary Beth Laughton took over as CEO from Eric Artz, and led the company’s crisis response throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Knigge also launched The Co-op Living Archive, a resource now used across the organization for everything from gear development to marketing campaigns and internal engagement strategies.
“I loved my time at the co-op, and after eight years I am really excited to challenge myself to learn a new company and sector,” Knigge said, though she did not say where she was going next.
Before joining REI, Knigge served as media relations and content manager at Alaska Airlines. Her career in communications began as a reporter in 2008.
REI has not yet announced a replacement for the position.
The Seattle-based cooperative continues to navigate challenging market conditions.
The company reported a net loss of $156.4 million in 2024, with revenue declining 6.2% from the previous year. REI plans to permanently close stores in Boston, New York City, and Paramus, New Jersey next year. Earlier this year, the company shuttered its Experiences business and laid off 180 full-time and 248 part-time employees.
Laughton announced REI’s new three-year transformation strategy in September.
“This plan is not about getting back to what the co-op used to be,” Laughton said in a note to employees when she announced the strategy. “It’s about climbing the challenging peak that’s in front of us, putting the co-op on more solid footing.”
