Ethan Allen Announces Enhancements to Leadership Team & Board

November 10, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

On Nov. 9, effective immediately, Stefanie Tsen Ward, a seasoned operating executive and former Chief Integrated Retail and Customer Officer of Neiman Marcus Group, has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer. At Neiman Marcus, Ms. Ward led the $4.5 billion retailer’s transformation into a more profitable, customer-led omnichannel enterprise, overseeing approximately 70% of total company revenue, more than 40 stores and 6,000 associates. She will oversee Ethan Allen’s day-to-day operations and begin execution of its strategic reset while the Board conducts a rigorous, independent search for a permanent CEO. Farooq Kathwari is no longer with the Company.

On Nov. 9, the Board also appointed Anna Brockway, Lindsay O’Reilly, Adam Treanor and Stefanie Tsen Ward as directors. The newly appointed directors join Douglas G. Bergeron, Maria Eugenia Casar, Kristine E. Miller, Steve Oblak and Tara I. Stacom, who were elected to the Board at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Bergeron and Ms. Miller have been named Executive Chairman and Lead Independent Director, respectively.

Bergeron commented, “Today marks Day One of our 100 day plan. Every one of our new directors are working on the ground in Danbury rolling up their sleeves with management to identify early wins we can actualize now. This week we also are visiting our manufacturing facilities in Vermont, Virginia and North Carolina to meet the people who make our products great.”

Ward commented, “I am energized by the conversations already underway and to work alongside designers across our network of design centers and our HQ team to bring fresh ideas to life. Together we will build a culture of openness, collaboration and accountability, moving with the speed and urgency needed to drive Ethan Allen forward.”

The Company's newly constituted Board brings together complementary experience in modern retail, brand revitalization, digital and omnichannel execution, home furnishings, financial oversight and public company governance. In addition to Maria Eugenia Casar and Tara I. Stacom, who have served on the Board since 2022 and 2015, respectively, the Board includes the following members:

Douglas G. Bergeron, Executive Chairman. Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VeriFone Systems, Inc. (formerly NYSE: PAY) and former Chairman of Cantaloupe, Inc. (formerly NASDAQ: CTLP).

Kristine E. Miller, Lead Independent Director. Former Chief Strategy Officer of eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) and a 24-year veteran of Bain & Company, where she led the firm's North American retail practice. Experienced public and private company director.

Stefanie Tsen Ward, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director. Former Chief Integrated Retail and Customer Officer at Neiman Marcus Group and senior leader at Sephora and Louis Vuitton.

Anna Brockway, Director. Co-Founder and former President of Chairish and former Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Levi Strauss & Co.

Steve Oblak, Director. Former Chief Commercial Officer of Wayfair Inc. (NYSE: W), with earlier roles at River West Brands, FutureBrand WorldWide and The Corporate Executive Board Company (formerly NYSE: CEB).

Lindsay O’Reilly, Director. Former Group Chief Internal Auditor, Group Chief Data Officer and Group Chief Operating Officer for Risk and Finance at Barclays PLC (NYSE: BCS), with earlier roles at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM).

Adam Treanor, Director. Managing Partner of Stone Bay Capital with over 25 years of experience in corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, capital allocation and shareholder value creation.

Mr. Bergeron concluded, “More than 250 years ago, the man whose name this Company carries wrote of a spring morning at Fort Ticonderoga, ‘The sun seemed to rise that morning with a superior luster.' For the employees, customers and shareholders of Ethan Allen, a new day begins.”