Apple's Former Retail Chief Angela Ahrendts Named to Airbnb's Board of Directors

[MacRumors]

Apple's former retail chief Angela Ahrendts, who left the company last month after five years, has joined Airbnb's board of directors.

In May 2018, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said that he planned to appoint at least one woman to the company's board, according to CNN. Ahrendts will be the second woman to join Airbnb's board after Ann Mather of Pixar and Disney last August.

"Angela has a reputation for pushing brands to dream big, and she told me that's exactly what she hopes to bring to Airbnb's Board," said Chesky.

Ahrendts reflected on her time at Apple in February:

The last five years have been the most stimulating, challenging and fulfilling of my career. Through the teams' collective efforts, Retail has never been stronger or better positioned to make an even greater contribution for Apple. I feel there is no better time to pass the baton to Deirdre, one of Apple's strongest executives. I look forward to watching how this amazing team, under her leadership, will continue to change the world one person and one community at a time.

Here's what Apple CEO Tim Cook had to say:

I want to thank Angela for inspiring and energizing our teams over the past five years. She has been a positive, transformative force, both for Apple's stores and the communities they serve. We all wish her the very best as she begins a new chapter.

Prior to joining Apple in 2014, Ahrendts was the CEO of famous fashion company Burberry, and before that, she held positions at Liz Claiborne and Donna Karan. Ahrendts joined Apple at a time when Apple was experimenting with luxury products, such as the $10,000-plus 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition.

Ahrendts was succeeded by longtime Apple executive Deirdre O'Brien, who now oversees both human resources and retail aspects of the company.

Article Link: Apple's Former Retail Chief Angela Ahrendts Named to Airbnb's Board of Directors

 

[I7guy]

That was fast, appears she is in demand. Good luck Angela.

 

[MrGimper]

Do Airbnb have much retail? Seems odd.

 

[jona2125]

Can't wait for Airbnb's new "social mixer" events

 

[AMTYVLE]

Airbnb's will now be AirTownSquares.

 

[rpat701]

A recognizable name on the board of a struggling company...makes sense.

 

[JessWinter]

Nice. She should be great for getting those AirBNB retail stores going strong!

 

[magicschoolbus]

I love Air BnB.

Of course she got picked up - despite the hate, I believe Apple stores generate the most in sales per square foot. Not sure why she's on Airbnb but.. it's not like she didn't do a good job if you're looking at the numbers.

 

[moabal]

Will AirBNBs become meeting spaces like Starbucks?

 

[haruhiko]

Probably the actual town square will be available on Airbnb!

 

[Blackstick]

Just a name with recognized history. Makes sense for AirBNB at their stage.

 

[macduke]

I've always wanted to try Airbnb but haven't because people are too weird and creepy.

 

[SetRen68]

$10,000 Airbnb stay over?

 

[murilohtc]

Increasing prices in 3,2,1...

 

[NachoGrande]

I've always wanted to try Airbnb but haven't because people are too weird and creepy.

I've used them twice and it was creepy. I'd rather pay a bit more to limit the chance of me being recorded.

 

[now i see it]

Unhappy at Apple so quits and immediately starts working at Airbnb

 

[testcard]

Nice. Presumably every lodging will soon have a fully-staffed Genius Bar.

 

[rtomyj]

Ok so in a months time she got a job at AirBnB? She was definitely fired. Good look AirBnB.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

These corporations have more money than sense.

 

[44267547]

These corporations have more money than sense.

We’ll all just assume you know very little about Ahrendts extensive background to earn her new position.

 

[Asarien]

That was fast, appears she is in demand. Good luck Angela.

Exec and Board hires don't happen overnight. She's been in talks with them for months, possibly well before it was publicly announced she's leaving Apple.

 

[Zxxv]

In May 2018, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said that he planned to appoint at least one woman to the company's board, according to CNN

Diversity hire then. Not there on own merit but to fill a quota. Ouch that gotta sting, but I guess the huge pay packet eases the pain.

 

[timber]

She is taking a place at the board, not an executive position.
This will probably be a sort of hobby where she will show up for the eventual meeting.

 

[jhfenton]

I've always wanted to try Airbnb but haven't because people are too weird and creepy.

I've used them twice and it was creepy. I'd rather pay a bit more to limit the chance of me being recorded.

No one forces you to pick an arrangement that you're uncomfortable with. I've used AirBNB maybe a dozen times over the last 5 or 6 years. On our annual pilgrimage to Atlanta for DragonCon, my son and I have stayed in stand-alone condos, separate cabins behind a primary residence, and a private bedroom in a house sharing common spaces with other guests. I'm more flexible when I travel by myself. On one occasion, I stayed in a family's upstairs bedroom, and I can understand why someone might not like that, but it was not a secret in the listing.

 

[alexandr]

until their customer "service" reps start to care any for their customers, nothing will help airbnb. as soon as there is a healthy competitor i and everyone i know will close our accounts.