The Children’s Place, Inc. has announced several key executive changes to strengthen its leadership team as it navigates the evolving retail landscape. Laura Lentini has been appointed as the company’s new Chief Accounting Officer, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the apparel industry, including roles at Capri Holdings.
In a related development, the company has confirmed the upcoming departure of Sheamus Toal, its current Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Toal will step down in December 2024 after overseeing a smooth transition, with an agreed separation payment.
Meanwhile, Jared E. Shure has been promoted to the role of Chief Administrative Officer, effective from September 2024, while continuing in his existing roles within the company. These strategic moves reflect the company’s efforts to bolster its leadership as it faces the challenges of the retail sector.
Lentini, who joined The Children’s Place in October, previously held the position of Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller at Capri Holdings. She spent two decades at the company, where she gained significant expertise in financial leadership.
Founded in 1969 in Hartford, Connecticut by David Pulver and Clinton Clark, The Children’s Place began by selling toys, apparel, and accessories. The company eventually focused its efforts on children’s apparel, targeting newborns to pre-teens, and began offering both private label and branded products by the early 1980s.
In 2019, The Children’s Place expanded its portfolio by acquiring the rights to the Gymboree brand, relaunching its products in select stores and online in early 2020. Gymboree is known for its colourful, playful designs for children. More recently, in 2021, the company introduced Sugar & Jade, a brand designed to celebrate the individuality of tween girls. In late 2022, The Children’s Place launched PJ Place, a one-stop shop for pyjamas catering to all ages, including adults. Together, these four brands—Gymboree, Sugar & Jade, PJ Place, and The Children’s Place—serve families across diverse demographics, offering apparel that builds confidence and embraces inclusivity.