A Founder’s Return: Kendra Scott Steps Back into CEO Role Amid Major Leadership Shakeup
In a seismic shift that has captured the attention of the fashion and business worlds, beloved jewelry empire Kendra Scott has announced a major restructuring of its executive leadership. Tom Nolan, who has served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2021, has resigned, prompting the brand’s iconic founder, Kendra Scott herself, to return to the helm as interim CEO. This move marks a pivotal moment for the Austin-based powerhouse, signaling a new chapter that simultaneously reaches back to its foundational roots while navigating a future fueled by new investment and global ambition.
The transition is more than just a change in the corner office. The departure of Nolan is accompanied by the exit of two other key C-suite executives, Chief Financial Officer Jason Friesen and Chief People Officer Danielle Stewart. This comprehensive reshuffle suggests a deliberate and strategic realignment as the brand positions itself for its next phase of growth, underscored by a recent significant investment and the steady hand of its visionary founder.
The End of an Era: Tom Nolan’s Decade of Growth and Transformation
Tom Nolan’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Kendra Scott. His nearly 11-year tenure with the company was characterized by explosive growth and strategic evolution. Nolan was not just a hired executive; he was an integral part of the brand’s journey from a popular regional name to a national and international force.
A Journey Through the Ranks
Nolan first joined the vibrant world of Kendra Scott in 2016, relocating from the East Coast to Austin. He initially took on the dual role of Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, a position that put him at the heart of the brand’s customer-facing strategies. His leadership was instrumental in scaling the company’s operations, expanding its retail footprint, and solidifying its brand identity in a competitive market.
In 2019, his success and deep understanding of the brand’s mission earned him a promotion to President. Two years later, in 2021, he stepped into the CEO role, taking the reins from Kendra Scott herself—a move that allowed the founder to transition to Executive Chairwoman and focus on design, customer experience, and philanthropy. Under Nolan’s stewardship as CEO, the company continued to navigate the complexities of the post-pandemic retail landscape, innovate its product offerings, and deepen its commitment to its core values.
In a heartfelt post on LinkedIn, Nolan reflected on his journey with immense gratitude. “Relocating from the East Coast to Austin over a decade ago to join this mission remains one of the best decisions of my life,” he shared. “I’ll always be cheering for the Kendra Scott team and supporting its continued growth.” His forward-looking plans include serving on corporate boards, dedicating time to worthy causes, and leading Prospect Place, a family advisory and investment firm. His graceful exit underscores a legacy of profound impact on the brand’s trajectory.
The Founder Returns: Kendra Scott Reclaims the Helm
With Nolan’s departure, Kendra Scott is stepping back into the CEO position on an interim basis, a role she expertly filled from the company’s inception in 2002 until 2021. For loyal customers and employees alike, her return is more than a corporate decision; it is the homecoming of the brand’s heart and soul. Scott, who remains the company’s majority owner and Executive Chairwoman, is uniquely positioned to guide the company through this transition.
The Heartbeat of the Brand
Kendra Scott’s story is the stuff of entrepreneurial legend. She famously started the company in a spare bedroom in her Austin home with just $500, driven by a passion for creating beautiful, accessible jewelry and a desire to build a company with a different kind of culture. Her vision was built on the three core pillars: “Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy.” This ethos has remained the brand’s unwavering North Star, fostering a fiercely loyal community of customers and employees.
Her hands-on approach and genuine connection to her audience transformed a small startup into a billion-dollar valuation brand. From the iconic Color Bar™ that allows for custom designs to the instantly recognizable silhouettes of the Elisa and Danielle necklaces, Scott’s design sensibility has defined a generation of jewelry. Her return to the day-to-day leadership role ensures that this foundational DNA will be at the forefront as the company makes its next strategic moves.
A Broader Executive Realignment
The leadership changes extend well beyond the CEO’s office, indicating a comprehensive strategic reset. The departures of CFO Jason Friesen and Chief People Officer Danielle Stewart, both of whom had been with the company for five years, create a clean slate in the C-suite. To fill these critical vacancies, the company is turning to trusted veterans with deep institutional knowledge.
Familiar Faces Steer the Ship
Neil Bronzo, who previously served as the company’s Chief Digital Officer, is returning to take on the dual role of interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer. Bronzo brings a wealth of experience from leadership positions at consumer giants like Aramark and the Pepsi Bottling Group. His recent LinkedIn profile listed him as a “retired chief information officer,” but the opportunity to rejoin the Kendra Scott family has evidently drawn him back into the corporate world. His expertise in both digital strategy and operations will be invaluable as the brand continues to scale its e-commerce and global logistics.
On the human resources front, Beth Ley will rejoin the company as Chief People Officer on September 2. Ley is no stranger to the brand’s unique culture, having worked in its HR department from 2015 to 2022. Her most recent role was as Senior Director of Global Rewards at Auctane, a prominent shipping and software firm. Her return signals a commitment to nurturing the “Family” pillar of the company’s philosophy, ensuring that the employee culture remains a core strength during this period of transition.
The Road Ahead: New Investment and a Global Vision
This leadership overhaul is not happening in a vacuum. It comes on the heels of a significant strategic move made last year when the Singapore-based investment firm 65 Equity Partners took a substantial minority stake in the company. That transaction notably saw Kendra Scott herself increase her majority holding, solidifying her control and long-term commitment to the brand she built.
The involvement of a globally-focused investment partner like 65 Equity Partners strongly suggests that international expansion is a key priority. Having the founder and original visionary in the CEO role, even on an interim basis, provides a powerful and authentic voice to lead that charge. Scott’s deep, intuitive understanding of the brand’s essence is perhaps seen as the most critical asset in ensuring that as the company grows, it does not lose the magic that made it successful in the first place. This transition allows her to directly shape the strategy, culture, and brand expression as Kendra Scott steps onto a larger world stage. The company is poised between honoring its rich, authentic past and embarking on an ambitious, global future, and at the center of it all, once again, is Kendra Scott.
