NATIVE SHOES TAPS KYLE HOUSMAN AS PRESIDENT

Global footwear brand Native Shoes has named Kyle Housman as its new president. Housman is a recent veteran of Lululemon’s international executive team and has returned to Vancouver where he will report to and collaborate with Native co-owner and CEO, Scott Hawthorn.

Housman succeeds Darren Hawrish, who helped scale Native’s business over the last four years as president. Hawrish will remain in an advisory position on the Beast Free brand’s Board of Directors.

“Kyle has an incredible reputation and the right mix of global experience to lead Native into our next phase of growth,” said Hawthorn. “We have exciting plans for the brand and incredible momentum; we believe Kyle will be instrumental to realizing our future and further spreading our Keep it Lite message.”

Housman brings leadership and retail experience to complement the existing Native team. Most recently, he led Lululemon’s Australian expansion before relocating back to Vancouver. Housman is a graduate of both James Madison University, where he earned his B.A. and Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College, where he earned his M.B.A.

“I have long admired the Native brand. It is fun, inclusive, thought-provoking and has always pushed the limits of design,” added Housman. “The passion within the team is infectious and I am excited to be a part of a brand with so much opportunity in front of it.”