Global denim brand Levi Strauss & Co. has appointed Katia Walsh as its new senior vice president and chief strategy and artificial intelligence officer, a role that will help the company translate data analytics into meaningful decisions that drive business value.
Walsh, who will take on the role effective April 29, will be responsible for building the data, analytics and artificial intelligence enablers to support Levi’s global business across innovation incubation, new business models and strategic growth initiatives.
She will report to Chip Bergh, president and chief executive officer, and will be a member of Levi’s global leadership team.
“Katia’s expertise in data and analytics, including big data platforms, analytics services, machine learning products, and digital solutions will be essential to setting LS&Co. on a course of continued industry leadership,” Bergh said.
“She is a talented team builder and positive change agent, capable of translating data products into successful commercial initiatives and consumer experiences. I am confident that she will make a big impact at LS&Co.”
Walsh joins Levi’s from Vodafone, where she was the company’s first chief data and analytics officer, responsible for providing a predictive, proactive, and personalised experience to consumers as part of its digital transformation.
At Vodafone, Walsh also contributed to the use of data and artificial intelligence for social good. She is a member of Unicredit’s Transformation and Innovation Advisory Board and River Island’s Digital Advisory Board, as well as Strategy Advisor to Fellowship.ai, a free data science training program.
Walsh, who was named the UK’s Data Leader of the Year for the past two years by the Women in IT Awards series, said strategic harnessing of data and machine learning will help position Levi’s for its next 165 years.
“I look forward to contributing to its continued growth,” she said.
Walsh has held strategic data analytics leadership positions at Prudential Financial and Fidelity Investments, and holds a PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Strategic Communication with a specialisation in quantitative methodology.
