Sharen Jester Turney
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Sharen Jester Turney | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Sharen Jester Ardmore, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Oklahoma |
| Occupation | Global Business Leader |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse |
Charles Turney (m. 1989) |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | sharenjesterturney.com |
Sharen Jester Turney (née Jester) is an American businesswoman, and former president and CEO of Victoria's Secret (before 2019),[1] a $7.7 billion company which she led for a decade, doubling profit and increasing sales by 70%,[2][3] Victoria's Secret is the largest retailer of intimate apparel, and the largest subsidiary of L Brands Inc (formerly Limited Brands Inc).[4] In 2013, Bloomberg named Jester Turney the fourth highest compensated female executive in the United States.[5] In February 2016, she stepped down as CEO after a decade and the previous six years as president and CEO of Victoria's Secret Direct.[6][7]
Turney attended the University of Oklahoma, and earned a bachelor's degree in business education with a minor in public relations.[8] Upon graduation in 1979, she began her career as a buyer for Foley's, a department store chain in Houston, Texas.[9][10]
Following stints at Byer California and Federated Department Stores, Turney joined Neiman Marcus, where she became executive vice president of merchandising and then senior vice president and general merchandise manager. She finished her career at Neiman Marcus as president and CEO of NM Direct, the company's e-commerce and catalog division, Horchow Catalog and Chefs Catalog.[11][12] In 2000, she became the CEO of Victoria's Secret Direct, the e-commerce and catalog division of the successful women's apparel and lingerie brand, Victoria's Secret.[8][13]
In July 2006, Turney was promoted to president and CEO of Victoria's Secret.[8][13][14] As CEO, she has overseen an increase in total sales revenue from $4.5 billion[10] to over $7.7 billion[2] and more than doubled the profit in 2015. Victoria's Secret is currently the largest subsidiary of L Brands Inc at 40% of total revenue.[4] She resigned as CEO of Victoria's Secret in February 2016.[15]
Turney is on the board of trustees for the University of Oklahoma Foundation and the board of directors for Bread Financial and Academy Sports + Outdoors in North America and NewStore in the US and Europe. She serves on the Jay H. Baker Retailing Initiative advisory board at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Turney served as chairman of the board of directors for the Turney served as chairman of the board of directors for the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital,[16] was on the board of directors for both Nationwide Children's Hospital and The James Cancer Hospital, and was an eight-year board of directors member for M/I Homes, Inc.
In December 2018, Turney becomes interim CEO of private apparel company, Gloria Jeans.