Nigel Travis, chair of the Abercrombie & Fitch board, has been appointed “Independent Director of the Year” today. Corporate Board Members It was presented in collaboration with AlixPartners as part of the magazine's 7th Annual Board Leadership Awards.
Travis was recognized by a prominent panel of board members of the public company for his efforts to lead a dramatic turnaround at retailers. He joined the board of directors in 2019 and since becoming chairman in 2023, the company's stock has more than four times its value, more than twice the industry as a whole. He is former CEO and chairman of Dunkin' Brands Group and served on the board of directors of Advance Auto Parts and Office Depot.
Travis is one of three recipients recognized for this year's committee work. Others are:
GE Aerospace Committee Recognised with the honor of the boardroom for their exceptional leadership that drives one of the 21 most important corporate restructuringsst Century – GE's successful separation into three centralized companies provided large shareholder returns and created a blueprint for corporate transformation in the industrial sector.
Mary Joe White She is recognized for her decades of leadership in governance reform and the steady enforcement in the battle for shareholders, and for her greatest impact on the honor of the Corporate Committee. As former SEC chair, she began her agency efforts on universal proxy cards and played a key role in promoting accountability on Wall Street. Now at Debevoise & Plimpton, she continues to advise on high stakes issues, including contested board elections and regulatory compliance, particularly in the Southern District of New York.
The award will be presented in person on September 18th Corporate Board MembersThe 21st Annual Meeting Room Summit was followed by a panel discussion with Ge Aerospace's general counsel and secretaries, Travis, White and Jake Phillips. For more information or to register for the event: https://boardmember.com/boardroomsummit/
“This is an extraordinary group of leaders,” said publisher Jamie Tussa. Corporate Board Members. “They are truly a great example of excellence in the board governance community when it's more important than ever.”
Joe Shalleck, partner and managing director at Alixpartners, adds that he is the managing director of Alixpartners, who acts as a special advisor to judges throughout the process.
About the Selection Committee
What makes the Board of Directors Leadership Award unique is that it is selected by a peer group of directors from exceptional and experienced public companies. The 2025 Select Committee includes MasterCard Chair Merit Janow and the 2024 Director of the Year. Dale Wolf, Chairman of Molina Healthcare and the courage of the boardroom in 2024. Larry Koelner is an experienced director who embraced the courage of the conference room awards for Marriott in 2023. John Lundglen, Visa Chair and Director, Callaway Golf, Director of the Year 2023. Lionel Nowell, lead independent director of Bank of America, and Director of the Year 2022. Auto parts for Maria Sastre, board members, General Mills and O'Reilly. Mike White, board member of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, former board member, Whirlpool Corp. and Kimberly-Clark, former chairman and CEO, DirectV.
