Minneapolis-based Target Corp. has made several changes to its leadership team.
Christina Hennington, currently chief growth officer, has been named as chief strategy and growth officer, and Rick Gomez, currently chief food, essentials and beauty officer, will take over as chief commercial officer, overseeing Target’s merchandising business, both effective July 7.
Lisa Roath, Target’s chief marketing officer, will take on the role of chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty in early 2025. The company is initiating an external search for its next chief marketing officer and, until a successor is named, Roath will remain in full capacity as chief marketing officer.
“As we execute our 2024 plans and look to the future, we’re putting key leaders and capabilities in place to sustain profitable growth over the long term. Today’s announcement builds on our January appointment of Michael Fiddelke to chief operating officer and will further accelerate progress on our growth initiatives,” said Brian Cornell, chair and CEO.
“As Rick takes on full oversight of merchandising, Christina will be dedicated to keeping our strategy consumer-centric, differentiated and future-focused. Lisa will be an important addition to Rick’s leadership team when she moves into her new role in 2025, bringing her prior experience and accomplishments leading our food and essentials businesses. In the meantime, we’ll conduct a thorough search for a top brand marketer to succeed Lisa and build on our strong marketing foundation.”
As chief strategy and growth officer, Hennington will work with Cornell, Fiddelke and the rest of Target’s leadership team to build on the retailer’s roadmap for growth, ensuring the strategy remains relevant and differentiated as the company plans into its next growth horizon. Hennington and her team also will play a role in supporting the organization as it continues to evolve and modernize how it operates, including harnessing the role of technology and generative AI to enhance the working and shopping experience at Target.
Additionally, Hennington will be responsible for further strengthening relationships with Target’s strategic partners and identifying new partnerships that will drive the retailer’s business. Hennington will continue to report to Cornell.
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As chief commercial officer, Gomez will have full oversight of Target’s merchandising business, including its apparel and accessories, home, hardlines, food, essentials and beauty product categories, owned brand sourcing and design and merchandising planning and capabilities. Under Gomez’s leadership, Target will continue to lean into its authority in merchandising, flexing its multicategory assortment to meet the evolving wants and needs of current and prospective guests with speed and agility across its commercial businesses. Gomez will report to Cornell.
Early next year, Roath will take on the role of the retailer’s chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty. In that role, Roath will report to Gomez. Until that time, Roath will remain in full capacity as Target’s chief marketing officer and will continue to report to Cara Sylvester, Target’s chief guest experience officer.
Since stepping into her role as chief marketing officer in 2023, Roath has led successful campaigns featuring the “Target Lady” and “That Target Feeling.” Roath joined Target in 2006 and has held various leadership positions across the company, including SVP of food and beverage merchandising and VP of essentials merchandising. She played a role in the design and rollout of a large-scale transformation of Target’s merchandising organization, as well as the establishment of the retailer’s price and promotions center of excellence.
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