Jennifer Ingraffea has been named the new CEO of heritage brand Pendleton Woolen Mills, marking the first time a woman will hold the company’s top job. Ingraffea, who previously held leadership roles at Nike and The North Face, will officially step into the role in July.

She succeeds John Bishop, who has served as Pendleton’s CEO since 2017. Bishop will remain with the company, transitioning into a new position as chairman of the board by the end of summer. Ingraffea becomes only the third person outside the Bishop family to be appointed CEO since Pendleton’s founding in 1863.

Ingraffea most recently served as chief product and merchandising officer at The North Face, a VF Corp. brand. Before that, she spent several years at Nike, where her roles included global vice president of kids’ footwear.

“When I moved to the Pacific Northwest over two decades ago, Pendleton was one of the first brands that caught my attention,” said Ingraffea in the announcement. “The history, legacy, and unparalleled craftsmanship drew me in immediately. Now, I have the incredible opportunity to help shape its next chapter — to guide the brand toward the full promise of its potential.”

During Bishop’s time as chief executive, Pendleton underwent significant changes to streamline its operations and refine its brand image. Key moves included re-acquiring its outerwear licence from Item House Inc. in 2020 and launching the “Century of Shirtmaking” capsule last year, celebrating the company’s long-standing expertise in wool garments.

“From our earliest conversations, it was clear Jenn’s magnetic presence, her leadership style grounded in mentorship, and her ability to unite teams around a shared vision made her a natural fit for Pendleton,” said John Bishop. “Jenn brings a decades-long career rooted in global product merchandising, and we look forward to her leading us in delivering compelling, market-relevant products to our customers.”