ÂÜÀòÂÒÂ×

A driving force in the growth of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., Laura Alber has served as the company's president and chief executive officer since 2010. In her tenure at WSI, Alber has held various leadership roles, executing effective growth strategies, strengthening brand recognition, and bolstering profits for the company's portfolio of multi-channel brands.

As the company continues to innovate, launch new businesses and expand product offerings, she has extended the WSI imprint into new categories with introductions such as Pottery Barn Kids, PBteen, PBdorm and most recently new growth opportunities — West Elm and West Elm Market, Mark and Graham, Rejuvenation and the WS Agrarian collection.

Alber considers WSI to be at the poignant intersection of superior lifestyle merchandising and state-of-the-art analytics, positioning the company to outperform competitor lifestyle brands. Through her leadership, she fosters a strong collaborative culture, which she believes is fundamental to continued growth and international expansion.

Alber believes that WSI's portfolio of global brands, paired with its collaborative and creative culture, and the focus on the customer, is positioning WSI to be "Tomorrow's Retailer."

"Our customers love their homes, and we have a singular focus on helping make them a reflection of who they are," says Alber. This commitment is evident across all WSI brands and Alber believes each brand's unique design aesthetic and price-point differentiation enable the company to address a broad spectrum of customers' personal styles, needs and life stages.

Alber received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.