Cara Sylvester named chief guest experience officer

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has named Cara Sylvester executive vice president and chief guest experience officer, a new role at the company, in one of several changes to its leadership team.

Cara Sylvester

The company said Thursday that Sylvester will lead the strategy to further differentiate Target’s guest experience, with a focus on increasing personalization and attracting more shoppers to Target’s stores, website and app. She will bring together teams from across the organization that are central to shaping Target’s guest experience, including marketing, digital, and technology.

Target also promoted Brett Craig to executive vice president and chief information officer and Matt Zabel to executive vice president and general counsel. Arthur Valdez, Target’s executive vice president and chief supply chain and logistics officer, also will join Target’s leadership team, and Christina Hennington, Target’s executive vice president and chief growth officer, will assume responsibility for Target in India.

“The updates we’re making to our leadership team reflect the size and scale of our more than $100 billion business, while also positioning the company for continued momentum well into the future,” Target chairman and CEO Brian Cornell said. “I have tremendous confidence in these leaders and the value they bring to our organization as we work together to meet the needs of current and new Target guests.”

Sylvester joined Target in 2007 and most recently served as the company’s executive vice president and chief marketing and digital officer. She will continue reporting to Cornell.

Craig, now executive vice president and chief information officer, will report to Sylvester. Craig joined Target in 2008 and most recently was the company’s senior vice president of digital. During his time at Target, Craig has held leadership roles across a variety of business areas, including technology and merchandising. Mike McNamara, Target’s executive vice president and chief information officer since 2015, had previously announced his plans to retire. With the appointment of Craig to chief information officer, McNamara will transition to a strategic advisory role with the company through the end of January 2023, the company said.

Zabel, who has been promoted to executive vice president and general counsel, joined Target in 2010 and most recently served as senior vice president of risk and employee and labor relations for the company. In that role, Zabel led Target’s internal COVID-19 task force, working across the enterprise to help guide the retailer’s planning and response efforts. In his new role, Zabel will continue reporting to Don Liu, Target’s executive vice president and chief legal and risk officer.

Valdez, Target’s executive vice president and chief supply chain and logistics officer, joined the company in 2016 and is credited with playing a critical role in transforming Target’s supply chain network, providing the retailer with unmatched agility in meeting the evolving needs of the retailer’s omnichannel guests. Valdez will continue reporting to John Mulligan, Target’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Hennington, Target’s executive vice president and chief growth officer, joined Target in 2003. In her current role, Hennington has oversight of merchandising, product design and sourcing, as well as strategy, insights and growth. Her leadership of Target in India will drive further connectivity between Target’s multidisciplinary team in India and the retailer’s growth strategies, according to the company. Hennington will continue reporting to Cornell.