{"id":1014708,"date":"2026-10-28T14:17:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T18:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/doug-bergeron-identifies-proven-retail-operator-stefanie-tsen-ward-as-interim-ceo-candidate-for-ethan-allen\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T14:17:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T18:17:15","slug":"doug-bergeron-identifies-proven-retail-operator-stefanie-tsen-ward-as-interim-ceo-candidate-for-ethan-allen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/doug-bergeron-identifies-proven-retail-operator-stefanie-tsen-ward-as-interim-ceo-candidate-for-ethan-allen\/","title":{"rendered":"Doug Bergeron Identifies Proven Retail Operator Stefanie Tsen Ward as Interim CEO Candidate for Ethan Allen"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Doug Bergeron Identifies Proven Retail Operator Stefanie Tsen Ward as Interim CEO Candidate for Ethan Allen<\/b><\/p>\n

Ms. Ward Brings a Track Record of Modernizing Iconic Retail Brands Through the Integration of Digital and In-Store Experiences and is Prepared to Lead Ethan Allen from Day One<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Shareholders Should Not Empower the Incumbent Board to Select Ethan Allen\u2019s Next CEO After Failing to Undertake Meaningful Succession Planning Until Faced with a Contested Election<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Mr. Bergeron Urges Shareholders to Vote the WHITE Proxy Card \u201cFOR\u201d All Five Director Nominees Ahead of the November 4 Annual Meeting<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

PARK CITY, Utah–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–
\nDoug Bergeron, a significant shareholder of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (\u201cEthan Allen\u201d or the \u201cCompany\u201d) (NYSE: ETD) with beneficial ownership, collectively with his affiliates and associates, of approximately 5.2% of Ethan Allen\u2019s outstanding common stock, today announced that his director nominees, if elected, intend to recommend that the Company\u2019s Board of Directors (the \u201cBoard\u201d) appoint Stefanie Tsen Ward as interim Chief Executive Officer of Ethan Allen following the Company\u2019s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the \u201cAnnual Meeting\u201d). Ms. Ward is one of Mr. Bergeron\u2019s five existing director nominees seeking election at the Annual Meeting.<\/p>\n

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20261027895597\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Stefanie<\/p>\n

Stefanie Tsen Ward<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nMs. Ward is a seasoned operating executive with deep experience at leading global luxury retail brands. Most recently, as Chief Integrated Retail and Customer Officer at Neiman Marcus Group, she led the $4.5 billion retailer\u2019s transformation into a more profitable, customer-led omnichannel enterprise, overseeing approximately 70% of total company revenue, more than 40 stores and 6,000 associates. During her tenure, she restored customer growth and improved store level profitability, while also scaling Neiman Marcus\u2019 associate-led remote selling into a $1 billion business. She previously held senior roles at Sephora, where she oversaw in-store digital tools and omnichannel services, and at Louis Vuitton, where she served as General Manager of Canada.<\/p>\n

\nConsistent with Mr. Bergeron\u2019s plan to transition leadership and restore profitable growth at Ethan Allen, if his slate is elected, Ms. Ward would assume responsibility for day-to-day operations immediately following the 2026 Annual Meeting, while the reconstituted Board executes a disciplined first 100-day plan focused on validating the key assumptions and economics underlying the Company\u2019s strategic direction and completing a rigorous search for a permanent CEO. Ms. Ward would work in close partnership with Mr. Bergeron, whose experience as a public company CEO and operator would complement her deep retail expertise. As previously announced, Ethan Allen\u2019s Chairman, President and CEO Farooq Kathwari would be offered a non-voting advisory role as Chairman Emeritus during the planned leadership transition.<\/p>\n

\nMr. Bergeron commented, \u201cStefanie has spent her career driving multi-billion-dollar P&Ls, overseeing thousands of employees, and modernizing iconic retail brands through the integration of digital and in-store experiences \u2013 precisely the expertise required to revitalize Ethan Allen. She knows the Company, she knows our plan, and she is prepared to lead from day one. Stefanie is an exceptionally qualified interim CEO candidate who is equipped to do right by Ethan Allen\u2019s shareholders and employees.<\/p>\n

\n\u201cNotably, all three leading independent proxy advisory firms have recommended removing Farooq Kathwari from the Board and raised serious concerns about Ethan Allen\u2019s leadership and oversight. Yet under the incumbent Board\u2019s plan, Mr. Kathwari would remain CEO until mid-2027 and on the Board thereafter. The same directors who failed to hold him accountable for years of declining performance and only initiated a CEO search after our campaign began would select his successor. After years of underperformance and reactive succession planning, shareholders should not be asked to entrust Ethan Allen\u2019s future to the same leadership structure that has failed them. From November 4, our nominees would serve as a highly engaged Board, ensuring continuity while delivering early wins in our customer-first transformation. Each of us is ready to roll up our sleeves and support Stefanie and the entire Ethan Allen team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nMs. Ward added, \u201cEthan Allen is an iconic American brand with incredibly talented associates and a heritage of craftsmanship few furniture companies can match. My priority from day one will be execution: connecting the Company\u2019s design centers and digital channels into a seamless customer experience, empowering our associates with the tools to deliver, and holding the business accountable for profitable growth. I am proud to have the confidence of Doug and my fellow director nominees, and I am ready to work alongside the Company\u2019s leadership team, design center teams, and manufacturing workforce to restore this great brand for employees, customers, and shareholders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nMr. Bergeron and his nominees have outlined a disciplined first 100-day plan designed to ensure operational continuity, establish clear accountability and lay the foundation for sustained profitable growth. As interim CEO, Ms. Ward would oversee day-to-day operations and collaborate with a temporary Strategy and Transformation Committee comprising all five directors, with priorities including:<\/p>\n