Levi Strauss & Co. announced leadership changes in its executive team with the appointment of Michelle Gass to the new position of president, LS&Co., reporting to Chip Bergh, president & CEO. Gass will be responsible for leading the Levi's brand and the company's global digital and commercial operations.

With this announcement, the board of directors has put in motion a succession plan for Gass to succeed Bergh as CEO within the next 18 months. Gass will begin her role with the company on January 2 and is expected to join the LS&Co. Board of Directors on her start date.

Gass brings exceptional direct-to-consumer experience to LS&Co., having led the transformation strategy at Kohl's to position the company for long-term profitable growth. She has driven a significant reinvention effort for more than 1,100 Kohl's stores, while growing the digital business at a double-digit compounded annual growth rate to more than $6 billion. She has also led a number of strategic innovations at Kohl's, including the introduction of Amazon returns and spearheading the long-term strategic partnership with Sephora, which has expanded to 600 Sephora at Kohl's shops.

While at Starbucks, she held numerous leadership roles over nearly 17 years and was instrumental in leading many successful product innovations, including expanding the Frappuccino® blended beverage brand and launching the Starbucks loyalty program. Her last assignment at Starbucks was as President, Starbucks EMEA, leading their European, Middle East and Africa business. Gass has an MBA from the University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business, and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

In addition to serving on the PepsiCo. Board of Directors, she is also on the Board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association and the National Retail Federation. She previously served on the Cigna and Ann Inc. Boards of Directors.