Mary Beth Laughton

Mary Beth Laughton (she/her/hers) is president and chief executive officer for REI Co-op. She is an accomplished retail and digital leader renowned for driving omni-channel growth, pioneering innovative digital experiences, and cultivating high-performance teams for some of the world’s most iconic consumer brands.

Before joining REI, Mary Beth served as Global Head of Nike Direct, overseeing Nike’s direct-to-consumer business globally, which included over 6,000 Nike stores, Nike.com, Nike apps, and Nike’s membership program.

Before Nike, Mary Beth was President and CEO of Athleta, where she led the brand’s transformation and growth of over 50%, earning recognition as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business. She also spent over eight years at Sephora, leading the U.S. stores and e-commerce business, and nearly a decade at Nike, holding leadership roles across strategy, merchandising, and e-commerce. Her career began at McKinsey & Company as a consultant.

Mary Beth is widely regarded for her ability to anticipate future consumer needs and trends, combining strategic rigor with a bias for action. She is a collaborative, transparent leader who empowers teams to operate with agility and excellence, fostering cultures of belonging and high performance. A visionary executive, she prioritizes sustainable, long-term growth and the co-op's enduring mission and purpose over short-term gains.

Mary Beth has served on the boards of REI and Impossible Foods and currently serves on the board of Instacart. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two children.