Kirkland's Inc. Accelerates New Era with Strategic Leadership Appointments to Advance Transformation as The Brand House Collective

Rhea-AI Summary

Kirkland's Inc. (NASDAQ: KIRK) announced key leadership changes as part of its transformation into The Brand House Collective, a multi-brand merchandising, supply chain, and retail operator. The company will lead brick & mortar strategy for Kirkland's Home and Beyond Inc.'s portfolio of brands including Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock, and buybuy Baby.

Key appointments include Andrea Courtois as SVP, Chief Financial Officer effective July 21, 2025, succeeding Mike Madden. Courtois brings over 20 years of financial expertise in specialty retail. Michael Sheridan joined as SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary on June 30, 2025, while Mandy Gauldin has been promoted to VP, Talent & Culture.

CEO Amy Sullivan emphasized that these appointments reflect the company's momentum in building a disciplined, performance-led, multi-brand operating model designed to scale profitably. The new leadership team aims to accelerate transformation efforts with a focus on accountability and meaningful outcomes.

Positive

• Strategic transformation into a multi-brand retail operator overseeing major brands including Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy Baby
• Appointment of experienced CFO Andrea Courtois with over 20 years of financial expertise in specialty retail
• Internal promotion of Mandy Gauldin to VP, Talent & Culture, demonstrating commitment to internal talent development
• Addition of Michael Sheridan as SVP, General Counsel with over two decades of legal and executive leadership experience

Negative

• Departure of current CFO Mike Madden

Insights

Retail Transformation Strategist

Kirkland's strategic pivot to "The Brand House Collective" represents a fundamental business model transformation beyond typical management changes.

Kirkland's announcement signals a substantial strategic pivot, not merely routine leadership changes. The company is rebranding as "The Brand House Collective" and fundamentally transforming its business model from a single-brand retailer to a multi-brand operator that will manage merchandising, supply chain, and retail operations for multiple home brands.

The most significant revelation is Kirkland's new relationship with Beyond, Inc., where it will apparently lead brick-and-mortar strategy for major brands including Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock, and buybuy Baby. This represents a dramatic expansion of Kirkland's operational scope and potential revenue streams, moving from a standalone home décor retailer to a platform business managing physical retail operations for multiple established brands.

While the CFO transition from Mike Madden to Andrea Courtois would normally be notable but not transformative, in this context it's part of building a leadership team specifically designed to execute this multi-brand strategy. Courtois' background in financial planning and analysis at diverse retail operations like Francesca's, La Senza, and Lane Bryant suggests Kirkland's is prioritizing expertise in managing the financial complexity of multiple brand operations.

CEO Amy Sullivan's statement emphasizes building a "disciplined, performance-led, multi-brand operating model designed to scale profitably" - language that confirms this is not incremental change but a complete reimagining of Kirkland's business foundation. The focus on "meaningful outcomes" and delivering "results brand by brand" further reinforces the company's transformation from a retailer to a retail management platform.

Andrea Courtois Named Chief Financial Officer, Succeeding Mike Madden

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kirkland's, Inc. (Nasdaq: KIRK) ("Kirkland's" or the "Company"), today announced a series of leadership appointments underscoring the Company's strategic shift and new phase of transformation as The Brand House Collective, Inc. ("The Brand House Collective") reflecting the Company's reinvention into a multi-brand merchandising, supply chain and retail operator leading the brick & mortar vision and strategy for Kirkland's Home along with Beyond, Inc.'s ("Beyond") growing portfolio of iconic home and family brands, inclusive of Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock and buybuy Baby.

• Andrea Courtois will join as SVP, Chief Financial Officer effective July 21, 2025, succeeding Mike Madden, who plans to pursue other opportunities but will remain in an advisory position until August 15, 2025 to facilitate a smooth transition. Ms. Courtois brings over two decades of financial expertise and is a seasoned leader in specialty retail with specifically targeted expertise in strategic financial planning & analysis and a deep understanding of asset and inventory management across prominent brands. She most recently served as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at Francesca's, following successful tenures in financial leadership roles at La Senza, Lane Bryant, and Lands' End.
• Michael Sheridan joined as SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary on June 30, 2025, overseeing all legal affairs, talent and culture, and corporate governance. During his interim role with the company over recent weeks, he has already become a trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team. His expertise in strategy, leadership and governance coupled with his passion for culture and people will be instrumental in our next chapter of transformation. Mr. Sheridan brings over two decades of experience and a distinguished track record of legal and executive leadership at Community Brands, Ceridian and Comdata.
• Mandy Gauldin has been promoted to VP, Talent & Culture. Ms. Gauldin has been a key leader in the company's human resources organization for eight years. Prior to joining the company in 2017, she held diverse, customer-facing team leadership roles in the consumer and retail sectors at California Closets and Estee Lauder. She brings a people-first and customer-focused vision that has been instrumental in enhancing company culture and supporting the organization through its ongoing transformation. In this role, she will shape a culture of performance and merit where accountability is clear, results are recognized, and talent is empowered to grow.

"Today's leadership announcements reflect continued momentum in advancing our transformation," said Amy Sullivan, CEO of Kirkland's, Inc. "We are building a disciplined, performance-led, multi-brand operating model designed to scale profitably.  As we evolve, we will continue to elevate talent, recognizing the leaders who are driving change from within and bringing in the expertise we need to go further, faster.  The team we are building brings a powerful mix of fresh perspectives and deep expertise, united by a clear mandate: move faster, lead with accountability and drive meaningful outcomes.  As The Brand House Collective, we're raising expectations and building an organization that delivers results brand by brand."

Ms. Sullivan added, "I want to express my sincere thanks to Mike Madden for his years of dedicated service and leadership during a pivotal time in Kirkland's history.  Mike has been a valued partner and a trusted voice to me and the team over the past year as we worked to rebuild our foundation and reset our strategy.  We're grateful for his contributions and wish him continued success in his next chapter."

About Kirkland's, Inc.

Kirkland's, Inc. is a specialty retailer of home décor and furnishings in the United States, currently operating 312 stores in 35 states as well as an e-commerce website, www.kirklands.com, under the Kirkland's Home brand. The Company provides its customers an engaging shopping experience characterized by a curated, affordable selection of home décor and furnishings along with inspirational design ideas. This combination of quality and stylish merchandise, value pricing and a stimulating in-store and online environment provides the Company's customers with a unique brand experience. More information can be found at www.kirklands.com.

Contact:

Investor Relations ICR Caitlin Churchill KIRK@icrinc.com 1-203-682-8200

Media Kirkland's, Inc. media@kirklands.com

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SOURCE Kirkland's, Inc.

FAQ

Who is the new CFO of Kirkland's (NASDAQ: KIRK)?

Andrea Courtois will join as SVP, Chief Financial Officer effective July 21, 2025. She brings over two decades of financial expertise in specialty retail, previously serving as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis at Francesca's.

What is The Brand House Collective and how is it related to Kirkland's?

The Brand House Collective is Kirkland's new corporate identity, reflecting its transformation into a multi-brand merchandising, supply chain and retail operator that will lead brick & mortar strategy for Kirkland's Home and Beyond Inc.'s portfolio of brands including Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock, and buybuy Baby.

When will Mike Madden leave Kirkland's (NASDAQ: KIRK)?

Mike Madden will remain in an advisory position until August 15, 2025 to facilitate a smooth transition before pursuing other opportunities.

Who are the key new leadership appointments at Kirkland's in 2025?

Key appointments include Andrea Courtois as CFO (effective July 21), Michael Sheridan as SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary (effective June 30), and Mandy Gauldin as VP, Talent & Culture.

What is Kirkland's new business strategy?

Kirkland's is implementing a disciplined, performance-led, multi-brand operating model designed to scale profitably, focusing on faster execution, accountability, and driving meaningful outcomes across multiple home and family brands.