ROI’s Into the Corner Office Podcast: Powerhouse Middle Market CEOs Telling it Real—Unexpected Caree...

Re-Release: Dave Powers, CEO, Deckers Brands

Dec 10, 2024

Dave Powers, President & CEO of Deckers Brands, shares insights from his dynamic career in footwear and apparel. He discusses the impact of the pandemic on team motivation and the innovative strategies Deckers used to adapt and thrive. Delving into his early life, Powers reflects on the strong work ethic instilled by his family and how sports shaped his determination. He also emphasizes the importance of approachable leadership styles, revealing how transparent communication fosters a successful and inclusive workplace culture.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating Business Challenges During the Pandemic

02:23 • 2min

Roots of Determination

04:13 • 4min

Foundations of Work Ethic and Educational Choices

08:09 • 2min

Discovering Passion in Unexpected Places

10:11 • 2min

Retail Journeys: From Gap to Deckers Brands

11:42 • 16min

Transformative Leadership in Global Organizations

27:36 • 14min

Dave Powers serves as President & CEO of Deckers Brands, a global footwear and apparel company based in Santa Barbara, Calif.

His current role includes prioritizing strategic initiatives and investments to expand the global distribution footprint of Deckers Brands, while also ensuring consumers have a seamless experience when engaging directly with each channel or brand. He focuses on long-term growth and Omni Channel strategies for the company’s five high-performing brands: UGG®, Teva®, Sanuk®, HOKA One One® and Koolaburra®.

Since 2012, Dave has served in various roles at Deckers Brands, including spearheading growth initiatives for the company’s brand portfolio as President of Brands and leading direct-to-consumer strategies as President of Direct-to-Consumer.

Dave is passionate about consumer-led insight and innovation as well as doing great in business and doing good for people and the planet. His passion for innovation as well as improvement led by consumer insight has resulted in gains in operating margin and revenue. Dave also remains committed to sustainability as well as making a positive societal impact and leading a strong company culture.

Under his leadership as President & CEO since 2016, Deckers Brands has received accolades for stellar financial performance and sustainability efforts. In 2019, Deckers was selected by Investor's Business Daily® as one of the 50 Best ESG Companies: A List of Today's Top Stocks For Environmental, Social and Governance Values. The company was also recognized by Footwear News as 2020 Company of the Year for its financial performance and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as well as significant charitable giving for COVID-19 relief.

In 2020, Dave was named a 2020 Businessperson of the Year by Fortune, ranking number 13 on their list of top executives.

Dave has over twenty years of experience in merchandising, concept development and leadership of global retail operations at some of the industry’s top brands. Prior to joining Deckers Brands, he held executive leadership roles at Converse, including four years as Vice President of Global Direct-to-Consumer where he successfully guided the expansion of the brand globally, and Timberland, where he led worldwide retail merchandising, marketing, visual and store design as well as the creation of a sustainable line of footwear and apparel.

A native of New Hampshire, Dave graduated Cum Laude from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Now residing in Santa Barbara, Calif., he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two sons.