Apple Promotes Deirdre O’Brien

Today Apple has announced that Deidre O'Brien has been named Senior Vice President of Retail + People. O'Brien has taken over for Angela Ahrendts joined Apple in early 2014. In that time she has been in charge of Apple's Retail Stores. Angela Ahrendts plans to depart Apple in April for new personal and professional pursuits.

Deidre O'Brien's role has been expanded. Her previous role was Vice President of People, and she will be continuing her existing role as well as taking over Retail.

Deirdre will bring her three decades of Apple experience to lead the company’s global retail reach, focused on the connection between the customer and the people and processes that serve them. She will continue to lead the People team, overseeing all People-related functions, including talent development and Apple University, recruiting, employee relations and experience, business partnership, benefits, compensation, and inclusion and diversity.

There are two things that I want to highlight. First, it is good to see Apple promoting from within. Additionally, it is definitely a plus to see that the person promoted is a woman. The latter is good to see because the ratio of men to women in senior positions within the technology sector is too often too high.

Source: Apple