Mr. Matthew E. Rubel is a renowned retail and brand CEO and influencer who has led several successful global brands and businesses. He has also served as a director of numerous multinational retail and consumer companies. As an Independent Director at Hudson's Bay Company, he chairs the Compensation and HR Development Committees and sits on the Governance Committee. He is the Lead Independent Director at The Joint Chiropractic, the largest chain of chiropractic clinics in the United States, and was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board at KidKraft, a global leader in the toy and juvenile products industry, in 2017. He also recently joined the Board of Directors at TreeHouse Foods. In 2010, Mr. Rubel became a Presidential Appointee to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, a service he continues to fulfill today.
Mr. Rubel most recently served as CEO, President and Board Member of Varsity Brands, the leader in sport, spirit and achievement products. Under his leadership, the company achieved record sales and profits. Prior to that, he served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Collective Brands, which encompassed Payless ShoeSource and brands such as Keds, Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider and Stride Rite. During Mr. Rubel's tenure, Collective Brands grew into a $3.4 billion company operating in 92 countries. Prior to joining Collective Brands, he was Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Cole Haan, where he more than doubled the size of the business and transformed the company into a global lifestyle brand celebrating American luxury. Prior to joining Cole Haan, Mr. Rubel was Executive Vice President of J. Crew Group and Chief Executive Officer of Popular Club Plan, leading the sale of the latter from J. Crew to Fingerhut. While at J. Crew Group, he was responsible for all licensing and international activities as well as brand marketing. Early in his career, Mr. Rubel served as President of the Specialty division of Revlon, managing the company's prestige cosmetic brands globally, and as Executive Vice President of Murjani International, where he led the Tommy Hilfiger businesses.
Mr. Rubel previously served as an Independent Board Member at HSNi, where he chaired the Governance Committee and served on the Audit Committee. He also previously served on the Acquisition Committee for Saks Fifth Avenue. As an Independent Director at SUPERVALU, he chaired the Compensation and CEO Search Committees during the period when the company repurposed itself toward its core business. In addition, Mr. Rubel has served as a Board Member at e.l.f. Cosmetics and at Furniture Brands. In the early-stage technology and retail sectors, Mr. Rubel serves as an advisor to Celect, Edible Communities, First Insight and RetailNext. He has also worked closely with TPG Capital, TPG Growth and Roark Capital Group as a senior advisor.
Mr. Rubel is and has been active in numerous industry and civic organizations over many years, including the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and YPO (formerly the Young Presidents' Organization). He has served as Chairman of the FDRA and as a President's Council Member at the University of Miami. In addition, he has served as a Board Member of the American Ballet Theatre, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the ICSC, the NRF, the Portland Museum of Art, the University of Miami Business School and the Waynflete School. He holds a BS from Ohio University and an MBA from the University of Miami.
Mr. Rubel is married with three children and lives in Dallas, Texas, and Portland, Maine.