REI Co-op announced today that it has hired Apple Musni as its new chief people officer and promoted two leaders to new positions.
Musni joins the co-op March 20.
Chris Speyer has been promoted to senior vice president, chief merchandising officer and Isabelle Portilla has been promoted to vice president, Co-op Brands, both effective immediately.
“Apple brings a breadth of experience in retail and customer service, and a strong point of view about how a progressive company with a strong ethos infuses its values through its people strategy,” Eric Artz, REI president and CEO, said in a statement. “Chris and Isabelle are both experienced leaders who have driven massive impact for the co-op in their tenure here and are well-positioned to lead our merchandising and Co-op Brands teams into the future.”
Musni will be responsible for leading the teams that shape the co-op’s compensation and benefits offerings, provide HR business partnership to teams across the company, design talent strategies and advance the co-op’s racial equity commitments.
“I have admired REI over the years as it continues to receive accolades for ‘best places to work,’ lead with its values through statements and action, and launch offerings that focus on what matters most to its people—like the REI Access Plan,” Musni said in a statement. “Anyone who works in HR knows that REI is the gold standard for how it invests in and cares for its employees.”
Musni was most recently vice president, field people experience and recruiting at Chipotle Mexican Grill, where she was responsible for people strategy. She previously led HR and operational functions at McDonald’s and Target Corporation.
Outside of work, Musni serves as a board member for the United Ways of California and as a member of the CNBC Workforce Executive Council.
As the co-op’s chief merchandising officer, Speyer will continue REI’s efforts in innovation and sustainability to drive offerings for REI’s growing member base.
He joined the co-op in 2017 as vice president of Co-op Brands, REI’s private label offering. Speyer’s role expanded to include leadership of REI’s merchandising teams in 2021.
Speyer also serves as executive sponsor of PRISM, REI’s inclusion network for LGBTQ+ employees and allies.
Portilla joined the co-op in 2017, leading product strategy and design for Co-op Brands, including ongoing product collaboration with Outdoor Afro Inc.