Welcome to our weekly roundup of employee comings and goings and other people-related news across the home furnishings industry. Here’s the latest:
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Denise Benn has been appointed chief merchandising officer of Interlude Home. Benn brings nearly two decades of leadership, design rigor, and brand-building experience to her work in the home furnishings industry. She spent close to 20 years at Jonathan Adler, playing a pivotal role in the evolution and expansion of the eponymous brand.
Benn most recently served as senior vice president of design and product development at Jonathan Adler, leading the New York–based product design team and collaborating with manufacturing and sourcing partners across more than 14 countries. Her responsibilities also include overseeing design and brand direction for Jonathan Adler collaborations and key partnerships, as well as leading design and sourcing efforts for hospitality projects for the Jonathan Adler Interior Design Studio.
Reflecting on her career, Benn notes, “I’ve been fortunate to gain experience across so many facets of brand storytelling, creative leadership, and product development. When I met Carl and Wendy, I immediately connected with their shared values around brand, craftsmanship, thoughtful product development, and most especially, their commitment to the team and business they’ve built. I’m excited to enter this next chapter of my career and to partner in leading and growing the vision for Interlude Home.”
Additionally the company has appointed Jessica Norby as VP of sales.
Norby brings over 15 years of sales leadership experience in the luxury space of the home furnishings industry. She most recently served as Vice President of Domestic Sales at Caracole, where she led a multi-channel sales organization serving interior designers, design firms and luxury retailers. Her career includes senior sales leadership roles at A.R.T. Furniture and Global Textile Alliance, where she built her expertise in relationship development and strategic growth initiatives across diverse market channels. She is passionate about building and fostering high-performing sales teams, empowering representatives to grow their businesses while delivering exceptional service to our partners.
She is also the incoming 2026 President of WithIt, a women’s organization in the home furnishings industry. She is passionate about connecting exceptional products with the designers and retailers who bring beautiful spaces to life, and is thrilled to bring this collaborative approach to the Interlude Home team.
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Mitchell Gold, entrepreneur, industry advocate and co-founder of home furnishings brand Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, has departed from his senior advisor role with Surya to focus on his new firm, Hindsight Forward.
Gold joined Surya in an advisory capacity following its acquisition of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams out of bankruptcy in 2023, offering strategic support during the initial phase of integration.
With that work now complete, Gold is ready to draw on his more than five decades of experience to take the next step.
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New Target CEO Michael Fiddelke is putting his team in place as he aims to accelerate the company’s growth plans.
The company this morning announced that Cara Sylvester is being promoted to chief merchandising officer, having previously served as chief guest experience officer. Her task is to strengthen and expand Target’s authority in style and design through its merchandising capabilities, product development, assortment design and partner collaborations.
She succeeds Jill Sando, chief merchandising officer for apparel and accessories, home and Fun101, who is retiring.
Sylvester joined Target in 2007 and has held a variety of leadership roles with the company. In recent years, she oversaw Target’s omnichannel shopping experience – creating synergies the retailer‘s marketing, digital and technology capabilities, including the strategic application of generative AI. She previously served as SVP of home. As VP of beauty, she led the launch and evolution of Target’s Beauty Concierge program. Prior to joining Target, Sylvester worked at Deloitte Consulting in Chicago.
In another shift, Target has promoted Lisa Roath to chief operating officer. She was previously chief merchandising officer of food, essentials and beauty. In her new role, she’ll focus on scaling Target’s style and design focus across the full operation, improving speed, efficiency and execution.
Roath joined Target in 2006 and has held a variety of leadership roles within the company, including chief marketing officer. Prior to joining Target, she held roles at Limited Brands, Marshall Field’s and U.K.-based L.E.K. consulting.
As part of these changes, Rick Gomez, chief commercial officer, will depart the company. Sylvester and Roath’s new positions become effective Feb. 15.
Target is also conducting an external search for a chief guest experience and marketing officer.
“It’s the start of a new chapter for Target and we’re moving quickly to take action against our priorities that will drive growth within our business,” said Fiddelke. “These leadership changes align the right talent and expertise with key roles, and simplify our structure so we can advance our strategy with greater speed, clarity and accountability.”
Target is also eliminating 500 jobs as part of its restructuring, according to news reports. Those positions include 400 slots in supply chain operations and approximately 100 at the store district tier.
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City of Hope, a leading cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., and its International Home Furnishings Industry group (IHFI) have named Kevin O’Connor as the 2026 Spirit of Life Lifetime Achievement Award honoree.
O’Connor will be honored at a gala dinner during the April High Point Market for his transformative impact on the furniture industry and longstanding commitment to City of Hope‘s lifesaving mission.
“Kevin O’Connor represents the very best of our industry—an innovator, mentor and servant leader whose generosity of time and talent has made a lasting impact,” said Sharon Joyce, managing vice president, transformative giving, at City of Hope. “His lifelong commitment to City of Hope embodies the true spirit of this award.”
