Arc’teryx Announces Strategic Leadership Appointments

NORTH VANCOUVER, CANADA (January 29, 2025) – Arc’teryx Equipment, the global design company specializing in technical high-performance apparel and equipment, has announced the appointment of Matt Bolte as Chief Merchandising Officer. Additionally, the company named Marissa Pardini as General Manager and Ben Stubbington as Creative Director of its Veilance brand.

Bolte brings nearly 35 years of extensive retail leadership experience to Arc’teryx, spanning multiple global markets. He is a digitally savvy leader adept at managing complex organizations amid the current seismic shifts happening in retail. Prior to joining Arc’teryx, Bolte was a partner at ThenWhat, Inc., where he focused on brand consulting and launching innovative apparel brands. Before that, his 17-year tenure at Nike included leadership roles in product and merchandising across key product categories including men’s performance, sportswear, over multiple geographies. In his role at Arc’teryx, he will oversee the strategic direction of merchandising, planning, programming and business development across all product categories.

“Matt’s deep expertise in executing complex, global merchandising strategies and extensive industry experience will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our leadership position in both our technical outdoor and premium apparel businesses,” said Stuart Haselden, CEO of Arc’teryx. “Over the past year, the merchandising team has undergone a transformative journey. With Matt’s deep understanding of merchandising and his passion for the Arc’teryx brand, he is an excellent fit for this role.”

Pardini joins Arc’teryx from Vans where she most recently served as Chief Product & Merchandising Officer — a newly created role at the time where she oversaw the company’s global apparel and footwear product and merchandising function. While with the company, she helped Vans reach more than $1 billion in direct-to-consumer sales, ascending the organization’s ranks from buyer to director roles in footwear to VP of Merchandising. She brings a wealth of experience in driving business growth and operational excellence having held roles at Vans sister company, The North Face, as the Americas VP/GM and as a buyer at Bloomingdale’s. In her new role as General Manager, she will oversee Veilance’s global strategy, ensuring alignment with the brand’s mission of delivering precision-engineered apparel for urban environments.

Stubbington brings his extensive expertise in design and product development, as well as his experience in leading design teams for nearly 20 years. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Design for Lululemon where he oversaw Men’s, Men’s and Women’s Lab, and overarching Creative Direction for the business. Under his leadership, the men’s business grew over five times. Prior to Lululemon, Stubbington was Creative Director, Men’s for Theory for nearly eight years. Known for his visionary approach to integrating aesthetics and functionality, Stubbington leads the creative direction for Veilance, shaping its product offerings and brand identity. Stubbington is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

“The addition of Marissa and Ben to our Veilance team marks a pivotal moment in our journey as we double down on our commitment to innovation and excellence with this unique line in the Arc’teryx collection,” continued Haselden. “Their combined leadership and innovative thinking will be instrumental in elevating Veilance as a leader in the performance luxury space.”

About Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx is a Canadian company based in the Coast Mountains. Our design process is connected to the real world, focused on delivering unrivaled durability and performance in extreme conditions. Our products are distributed through over 160 branded stores and more than 2,400 retail locations worldwide. We are problem solvers, evolving and searching for a better way to deliver resolved, minimalist designs. Good design that matters makes lives better.