Two Ten Footwear Foundation Names New Board Chair and Vice Chair, Adds New Board Members

Newly named officers continue focus on long-term sustainability and impact in response to changing needs of industry; recently appointed board members bring balanced perspective of leading brands, retailers, and ecommerce innovators.

WALTHAM, MA (January 25, 2024) – Two Ten Footwear Foundation (Two Ten) today announced its new Board Chair and Vice Chair were confirmed at the Two Ten Board of Directors meeting last month. Joe Preston, President & CEO of New Balance, succeeds David Kahan, President & CEO of Birkenstock USA, who has served as board chair since 2021, and Jonathan Frankel, President of ALDO Product Services at the ALDO Group, now serves as Board Vice Chair.

“We are excited to move into a new phase of board leadership as we mark our 85th year of service to the U.S. footwear community,” said Shawn Osborne, President & CEO of Two Ten. “Under David’s leadership, the Board helped advance our education programs and we are poised to build on those successes with Joe taking the helm. Joe and Jonathan are both deeply committed to our mission and I believe that commitment, coupled with their business experience, will only strengthen Two Ten as we continue our work bringing hope, opportunity and community to the industry workforce.”

Joe Preston is a long-time footwear industry leader who was named CEO in 2018 at New Balance Athletics, Inc., a $5B global sportswear brand recognized for its values-led culture and strong commitment to domestic manufacturing.  In addition to his service on the Two Ten Board of Directors, Joe is an Executive Committee member of the Board of Directors for the American Apparel & Footwear Association, a member of the Board of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, and Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Sports Museum, a nonprofit educational institute focused on helping young people build character through the power of sports.

Preston is a strong advocate for Two Ten, “Two Ten helps the most vulnerable individuals and families in our footwear community. Their powerful combination of emergency relief, educational programs, and professional/networking groups helps lift lives. The Foundation not only gives hope to colleagues going through hard times but also creates opportunity to rise.”

Jonathan Frankel is also a strong advocate for the Two Ten mission. The new vice chair cites a particular focus of the foundation that his team at the ALDO Group is proud to share: accelerating the careers of women in the footwear industry. “Two Ten is working to create a more diverse and inclusive footwear community where everyone can feel they belong and are valued. We share that vision,” says Frankel, adding, “The Foundation’s emphasis on elevating women in the industry, helping to ensure equitable access to opportunity, is particularly important.”

In their new roles, Preston and Frankel will be furthering the Two Ten mission and leading a newly expanded board.

During the last two quarters of 2023, Two Ten welcomed six new members to its board of directors, extending the areas of expertise and diversity of perspectives and experience represented on the board. The recently appointed members include:

Jennet Chow, Founder and Co-CEO of Evolution Design Lab and Jellypop Shoes

Kathy Forstadt, Senior Director of Merchandising, Zappos.com

Christina Gigante, VP of Sales, Skechers

Ronnie Jefferson, SVP and GMM, Finish Line at Macy’s

Tacey Powers, EVP and GMM, Nordstrom Shoes and Kids Apparel

Ed Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO, Steve Madden

**** 

About Two Ten

Two Ten Footwear Foundation**** is an independent, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to lifting lives. Since its founding in the 1930s, Two Ten has offered hope and opportunity to those working in the U.S. footwear industry, providing: emergency relief in times of disaster or hardship; free and confidential employee assistance services including legal, financial, and mental health counseling; upskilling and professional development grants for industry employees; and higher education scholarships for employees and their dependents. Learn more at twoten.org