Laura Alber

Laura J. Alber is a highly experienced leader in the retail industry, with a tenure as the CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since 2010. Alber's innovative thinking led to the creation of popular brands such as Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Bed+Bath, PBteen, and Threads. In 2014, under Alber's leadership, Williams-Sonoma became one of the largest U.S. e-tailers, with about half of its $5 billion annual sales online. Alber's forward-thinking approach also led to the launch of Williams-Sonoma's first app, "Recipe of the Day," and a partnership with YouTube to offer shoppable online videos.

Alber's influence extends beyond Williams-Sonoma. In 2011, she was recognized by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the most influential women in San Francisco. Fortune magazine also acknowledged her leadership, naming Alber a "Business Person of the Year" in 2014 and 2015. In 2023, she made Fortune's list of Most Powerful Women. Apart from these, Alber joined the board of Salesforce in November 2021 and became a member of the board of directors of Fitbit in 2016.

Alber's commitment to education is evident through her role on the board of overseers for the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts & Sciences. Along with her husband, Alber established the Alber-Klingelhofer Endowed Scholarship at the University of Pennsylvania. Furthermore, she is a member of The Business Council, and she actively promotes in-store events at Williams-Sonoma, including book signings and panini-making classes, demonstrating her engagement with both the business and local community.