LuAnn Via

President and Chief Executive Officer
Payless ShoeSource

LuAnn brought her extensive retail background, proven leadership and teambuilding skills to Payless ShoeSource in 2008. She is responsible for developing and driving the execution of strategic initiatives for the company, including the company’s vision of democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories to the world. LuAnn leverages her deep understanding of boh the consumer and the global marketplace to lead the Payless ShoeSource team to create inspiring products, targeted messaging and an outstanding store experience for Payless customers around the globe.
 
Prior to joining Payless ShoeSource, LuAnn spent two years at Charming Shoppes, Inc., serving as Group Divisional President of Lane Bryant and Cacique and as President of Catherine’s Stores. From 2003 to 2006, as Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for Sears, Roebuck and Co., she was responsible for several merchandise categories, including footwear, accessories, fine jewelry, and intimate apparel, with $2 billion in sales responsibility. From 1998 to 2003, she served as Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager at Saks, Inc., where she built private label brands in the footwear, accessory and intimate apparel categories.
 
LuAnn’s background also includes executive positions with Trade Am International, The Shoe Box/The Shoe Gallery, and Rich’s/Federated Department Stores.
 
Through her diverse career experience, LuAnn, 57, has developed broad expertise in specialty and department store merchandising, retail operations, wholesale sales and operations, and product sourcing and manufacturing. LuAnn currently serves on the board of directors of the Two Ten Foundation.