Top Chico's exec gets national retail position

FORT MYERS — The National Retail Federation named Chico's FAS executive Miki Berardelli chairwoman of the federation's marketing council.

Berardelli, president of Chico's digital commerce and the company's chief marketing officer, will serve a two-year term. She succeeds Kathy Doyle Thomas, executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Half Price Books.

“Miki has been very engaged as a member of NRF and the council will benefit greatly from her dedication and leadership as chairwoman,” says Vicki Cantrell, the federation's senior vice president of communities, in a statement.

The federation established the council in 2013 for C-level and senior marketing executives and serves as the primary marketing and advertising voice of the retail industry. Berardelli joined Chico's in 2014 after having served as chief marketing officer for Tory Burch and senior vice president of marketing for Ralph Lauren.

“I'm looking forward to serving as the chairman of the NRF CMO Council,” says Berardelli in the statement. “It's an exciting time for retail marketers given the rapidly changing landscape and opportunities to deliver quality experiences that meet and exceed customer expectations.”

Fort Myers-based Chico's operates 1,518 stores in North America under the Chico's, White House | Black Market and Soma brands.