Kathryn Thompson

Kathryn Thompson is the current Chief Operating Officer at Girls on the Run. Prior to their current position, they served as Vice President of Merchandising at Springs Global from August 1999 to August 2007.

During their time at Springs Global, Kathryn introduced new product lines and developed unique product attributes based on market insights. Kathryn also created and marketed entry-level products to best utilize manufacturing assets, successfully expanding market share and increasing sales in critical opening price-point categories. In addition, they grew sales 4.8% compounded annually in a deflationary market by opening a new retail channel with a $10M home center account.

Kathryn was awarded vendor of the year by Walmart in 2004 after achieving a comparable store sales increase of 9.4% year over year. Kathryn also initiated a series of product and spec changes that transformed the second largest account from negative EBITDA to 8% EBITDA in three years. In addition, they tripled the EBITDA of the $90M drapery business by driving process changes such as implementing “make-to-order” manufacturing, realigning operations, and quadrupling sourced product.

Throughout their time at Springs Global, Kathryn led a cross-functional global team of marketing, design, planning, manufacturing, and sales personnel in a matrix environment to bring new products to market and service existing replenishment programs.

Kathryn Thompson has a MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a B.S. from the University of Virginia. Kathryn also attended Firestone High School.

Their manager is Elizabeth Kunz, CEO. Some of their coworkers include Liz Wian - VP, Partnerships & Development, Michelle Jackson-Holland - SVP of Human Resources & Belonging, and Heather Blake - Chief Financial Officer.