The US-based retailer of footwear and accessories, announced that its Board of Directors has elected Jeff Gerstel, President and Chief Executive Officer of dressbarn, a subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group, Inc., and Andrea Guthrie, formerly Senior Vice President of Strategic New Businesses at Claire’s Stores, Inc., as independent directors. This decision will be effective from the 15th of September onwards, and with these two additions, Shoe Carnival’s Board will now have eight Directors, six of whom are independent.

Cliff Sifford, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are pleased to welcome Jeff and Andrea, two experienced leaders with strong specialty retail growth and branded company experience, to our Board of Directors. We believe they will bring valuable perspectives to the Board, and we look forward to leveraging their knowledge and insight as Shoe Carnival expands its multi-channel sales initiative in the US and Puerto Rico.”

Mr. Gerstel has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of dressbarn, a leading specialty retailer offering clothing, shoes, and accessories for missy and plus-size women, since 2011. Mr. Gerstel joined dressbarn in 2006 and has held a variety of senior executive positions during his tenure with the company, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President Operations of A.C. Moore from 2004 to 2006.

Ms. Guthrie served as Senior Vice President Strategic New Businesses at Claire’s Stores, Inc., one of the world’s leading specialty retailers of fashionable jewelry and accessories for young women, teens, tweens, and kids, from 2009 to 2014. Prior to that, Ms. Guthrie was a Principal at The Boston Consulting Group, where she led client projects and addressed strategic and operational issues, with a particular emphasis on the retail and consumer industries, from 2002 to 2009.