Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario steps down

Rose Marcario was instrumental in leading Patagonia through the most prosperous time in its 47-year history and she has been recognized by global leaders for her success in advocating and advancing climate and environmental policies.  

With founder Yvon Chouinard, Marcario started Patagonia Provisions, a regenerative organic food company, helping to lead a movement to change how we grow our food. Along with the Rodale Institute and Dr. Bronner’s, she developed the Regenerative Organic Certification, the highest bar of certification for workers/farmers rights, animal welfare and regenerative soil practices. She also founded the company’s in-house venture fund and Patagonia Action Works, a digital hub for environmental activists.  

During Marcario's tenure, Patagonia became a leader in the Benefit Corporation movement, which prioritizes people and planet, not just profit. She spearheaded the Outdoor Retailer tradeshow's move to Colorado from Utah to leverage brand strength for conservation goals. She also oversaw the company’s strategy to protect millions of acres of land including Bears Ears National Monument in Utah; Jumbo Valley in British Columbia, Canada; and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. 

Her activism extended to the political realm, as well. Marcario founded Time To Vote, a bipartisan coalition of companies committed to increasing voter participation in our elections, in 2018. Nearly 500 companies are now involved, and the movement has been praised by from secretaries of state from both parties and election experts from leading public policy institutes and universities. 

Under Marcario’s leadership, Patagonia gave more grants to grassroots activists than any time in its history. In 2015, President Barack Obama honored her as a Champion of Change for her support of working families. And just last month, she ranked No. 1 on Fast Company’s Queer 50 list. 

“Rose has grown our advocacy efforts in ways I could never have imagined,” Chouinard said. “With Rose at the helm, we are leading an overdue revolution in agriculture, challenging this administration’s evil environmental rollbacks, growing a movement to increase voter participation in our elections and raising the bar on building our product in the most responsible manner possible.”

Patagonia’s transition will be led by Chief Operating Officer Doug Freeman. The company will be sharing more updates as it works to build on its accomplishments, values and plan for the future with the intent on saving our home planet.

Source: Patagonia