Barbara Baekgaard transitions to Director Emeritus at Vera Bradley, continuing her involvement after stepping down from the board.
Quiver AI Summary
Vera Bradley, Inc. announced that co-founder Barbara Baekgaard will not seek re-election at the upcoming shareholders meeting, transitioning to a Director Emeritus role. Despite stepping back from official board duties, she will remain engaged in the brand's transformation. Baekgaard has been instrumental in developing Vera Bradley since its founding in 1982, recognized for her creativity and leadership. The company's CEO, Jackie Ardrey, praised her impact on both the company and the communities it serves. Baekgaard is also known for her philanthropic efforts, including the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, which has raised over $41 million for research. She expressed her enthusiasm for the future of the company and her commitment to supporting its mission to empower women through thoughtful design and social impact.
Potential Positives
- Barbara Baekgaard will transition to a Director Emeritus role, allowing her to continue providing valuable insights and maintain her influence on the brand's transformation.
- Baekgaard's long-standing commitment to philanthropy, exemplified by the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, enhances the company's positive public image and community engagement.
- The recognition of Baekgaard's contributions reinforces the brand's heritage and values, potentially strengthening customer loyalty and employee morale.
Potential Negatives
- Barbara Baekgaard's stepping down from the board may raise concerns about succession planning and leadership continuity within the company, given her significant role in its history and direction.
- The transition of Baekgaard to a Director Emeritus role could signal potential instability or shifts in company culture and vision, which may be unsettling for investors and employees.
FAQ
Who is Barbara Baekgaard and what is her role at Vera Bradley?
Barbara Baekgaard is the co-founder of Vera Bradley, transitioning to a Director Emeritus role after stepping back from official board duties.
What contributions has Barbara Baekgaard made to Vera Bradley?
Baekgaard has played a pivotal role in launching and shaping Vera Bradley, recognized for its vibrant patterns and designs since 1982.
What is the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer?
Founded by Baekgaard and co-founder Patricia Miller, the foundation has raised over $41 million for breast cancer research.
How will Barbara Baekgaard continue to be involved with Vera Bradley?
Baekgaard will offer her insights and historical knowledge to support the brand transformation while remaining engaged with the company.
What values does Vera Bradley uphold?
Vera Bradley is committed to empowering women through thoughtful design, social impact, and philanthropy, principles championed by Baekgaard since its inception.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$VRA Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 32 institutional investors add shares of $VRA stock to their portfolio, and 72 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
Here are some of the largest recent moves:
- QUINN OPPORTUNITY PARTNERS LLC added 1,006,929 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $3,957,230
- SG AMERICAS SECURITIES, LLC added 710,471 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $2,792,151
- NOMURA HOLDINGS INC removed 702,591 shares (-25.4%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $2,761,182
- POTRERO CAPITAL RESEARCH LLC removed 479,946 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $1,886,187
- ACUITAS INVESTMENTS, LLC removed 307,426 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $1,208,184
- UBS GROUP AG added 305,931 shares (+564.0%) to their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $1,202,308
- ROYCE & ASSOCIATES LP added 301,522 shares (+18.9%) to their portfolio in Q4 2024, for an estimated $1,184,981
To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.
$VRA Analyst Ratings
Wall Street analysts have issued reports on $VRA in the last several months. We have seen 1 firms issue buy ratings on the stock, and 0 firms issue sell ratings.
Here are some recent analyst ratings:
- Small Cap Consumer Research issued a "Buy" rating on 10/21/2024
To track analyst ratings and price targets for $VRA, check out Quiver Quantitative's $VRA forecast page.
Full Release
FORT WAYNE, Ind., March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vera Bradley, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRA) has announced that its co-founder Barbara Baekgaard, will not stand for re-election at the upcoming shareholders meeting and will instead transition to a Director Emeritus role. While she will be stepping back from official board duties, Baekgaard will continue to remain involved in the Company she co-founded and the Vera Bradley brand transformation.
Baekgaard’s influence on Vera Bradley has been immeasurable. From launching the brand in 1982 with Patricia Miller to growing it into a beloved lifestyle company recognized for its vibrant, handcrafted patterns and innovative designs, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the business and inspiring generations of women entrepreneurs.
“Barb has been the heart and soul of Vera Bradley,” said Jackie Ardrey, CEO of Vera Bradley. “Her leadership, creativity, and generosity have shaped not only our company but also the communities she serves. While she steps back from the boardroom, we are thrilled that she will continue to lend her visionary thoughts and insights as we continue to execute on the brand transformation.
Beyond Vera Bradley, Baekgaard remains a force in philanthropy and hospitality. In 1994, Baekgaard, along with Miller, established the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer after the loss of a dear friend to breast cancer. To date, the Foundation has raised over $41 million for breast cancer research. She also founded The Bradley, Fort Wayne’s only boutique hotel. Baekgaard continues her personal philanthropic endeavors and sits on boards focusing on medical research.
“I appreciate the collaborative support and business insights from Vera Bradley’s Board members over these years, and am excited about the new path that will be charted by this new generation of the Vera Bradley Board.” Added Mrs. Baekgaard, “I look forward to continuing to offer my insights and historical knowledge for our business. My love for the Vera Bradley brand remains undiminished, and I am extremely optimistic about the Company’s future under Jackie’s leadership.”
As Baekgaard embarks on this new chapter, Vera Bradley remains steadfast in its mission to empower women through thoughtful design, social impact, and a commitment to giving back—values that Baekgaard has championed since day one.
CONTACTS:
Investors:
Tom Filandro, Partner
ICR, Inc
[email protected]
Media:
[email protected]
877-708-VERA (8372)
