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David Thiebes
Helping organizations grow, scale and mature - Experienced apparel and footwear executive turned consultant - Making change and transformation happen
Professional Background
David Thiebes is a highly accomplished executive known for his expertise in the creation, turnaround, growth, and transformation of teams and organizations. His impressive background spans over 20 years in the retail industry, with more than 18 of those years dedicated to working with the global powerhouse, adidas. In his pursuit to facilitate positive change and yield substantial results, David founded Thiebes Consulting, where he passionately serves consumer-facing retail companies, enabling them to achieve their business goals and unlock their full potential.
As the Founder and CEO of Thiebes Consulting, David plays a pivotal role in assisting boards and leaders of retail organizations. His consulting practice focuses on catalyzing revenue and profitability growth through innovative change initiatives. He brings forth a wealth of experience in strategic planning, business development, marketing operations, and organizational design, providing clients with comprehensive solutions that accelerate strategy and results.
In his extensive career at adidas, David occupied senior leadership roles, including Vice President of Business Development and Chief Transformation Officer for adidas North America, where he led pivotal transformation efforts. He was instrumental in the successful turnaround strategy that began in 2016, which revitalized adidas's presence in the North American market.
David's expertise was also critical to adidas’s success in the Greater China market, where he held several senior leadership positions for over eight years. His contributions spanned various domains including strategy development, concept to consumer initiatives, marketing operations, and planning, underscoring his diverse skill set and adaptive approach to leadership.
Education and Achievements
David holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Finance and Marketing from Gonzaga University. His commitment to continuous education is evident in his pursuit of executive education at Harvard Business School, enhancing his strategic mindset and leadership capabilities.
Throughout his career, David has displayed a commitment to knowledge-sharing and mentorship, reflected in his role as an angel investor and start-up advisor with Oregon Sports Angels. This experience enables him to foster innovation and transformation in burgeoning enterprises, affirming his dedication to the future of the retail sector.
Achievements
David has garnered notable achievements throughout his career, including:
- Successfully leading the turnaround efforts for adidas North America, thereby enhancing market share and brand loyalty in a competitive landscape.
- Contributing significantly to the adidas turnaround in Greater China, showcasing his adaptability to diverse markets and operational environments.
- Establishing Thiebes Consulting, which empowers various retail organizations to achieve strategic goals through tailored consulting services.
- Playing an integral role in the Extended Leadership Group at adidas, a board of senior leaders committed to driving organizational success and growth.
- Cultivating extensive knowledge in critical areas such as strategic partnerships, crisis management, and consumer market research, all of which are essential in today’s rapidly evolving retail environment.