Michelle Peterson

Michelle Peterson is a marketing executive with a career spanning more than two decades across leading consumer brands. Peterson has built a track record in brand building and strategic growth within the food, packaged goods, and multi-unit retail sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Cornell University, a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and a Master of Engineering Management. This combination of technical expertise and marketing experience has shaped her into an analytical and creative leader.

Peterson spent 18 years at General Mills, where she held leadership roles in marketing, strategic growth channels, and new product innovation, working with brands such as Cheerios and Pillsbury. Following her tenure at General Mills, she served as vice president at LifeSpa, Lifetime Fitness, and as global vice president of Holiday Inn Express. Before joining Kendra Scott, Peterson was chief marketing officer at Pressed, a brand specializing in plant-based treats and cold-pressed juice. Her experience across consumer packaged goods, fitness, hospitality, and wellness has provided her with a broad perspective on consumer behavior and brand strategy.

As chief marketing officer of Kendra Scott, Peterson leads brand marketing and e-commerce for the lifestyle brand. She oversees teams responsible for customer care, public relations, e-commerce, and visual experience, focusing on driving traffic and building customer connections. Under Peterson’s leadership, Kendra Scott has expanded to approximately 140 stores, hosts up to 25,000 events annually, and is distributed through retailers such as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

Peterson is an advocate for purpose-driven marketing, emphasizing authentic brand storytelling as central to Kendra Scott’s approach. The brand operates around three pillars: fashion, philanthropy, and family, with each marketing initiative reflecting these values. Peterson has overseen collaborations, including a partnership with Barbie and Mattel, integrating fashion, philanthropy, and community engagement.

Peterson was named a Marketing Vanguard Award Winner by Adweek, recognizing her innovation and leadership. She has been a featured speaker at industry events including Shoptalk and has appeared on podcasts such as "The CMO Podcast" and Adweek's "Marketing Vanguard," where she discusses brand building, omnichannel engagement, and retail trends. Peterson frequently shares insights on her career path from chemical engineering to marketing leadership, offering perspective on career transitions, leadership, and the evolving marketing landscape.