Kathy Thornton-Bias

Kathy Thornton-Bias is the current Treasurer at MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM INC.

Kathy has over 15 years of experience in executive leadership roles. Kathy has a proven track record of developing growth strategies and executing initiatives that increase revenue and improve operational efficiency.

Prior to their current role, Kathy was the President / COO of Verlo Mattress from September 2016 to November 2018. In this role, they were responsible for strategic growth initiatives and actions within a complex and dynamic business environment. Kathy developed growth through existing and new revenue models from within the franchise network, launching e-commerce, and new partnerships.

Before Verlo Mattress, Kathy was the President, North America at Bang & Olufsen from March 2014 to March 2015. As a senior member of a multi-national, publicly traded company, they had full P/L responsibility for business in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Kathy was charged with brand and business turnaround in North America with expectations of a 3x increase in revenue. Kathy directly managed a complex network of activities including distribution, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, third party business development and brand re-positioning.

Some notable accomplishments during their time at Bang & Olufsen include creating a global seller relationship with Amazon, which resulted in a 125% increase in online revenue; developing a new business category to capitalize on luxury residential and commercial construction; landing deals with Ace Hotel Group

Kathy Thornton-Bias has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia in Rhetoric, Communications, Spanish, and a Master of Business Administration from NYU Stern School of Business in Business Administration and Management, General.