The role goes with the turnaround finished and guidance raised, not in a crisis. Wolverine gains shorter decision lines and loses the executive who made four brands run as one portfolio, just as Merrell and Saucony push into EMEA.
Wolverine World Wide has eliminated the president role for its Active Group, which includes Merrell, Saucony, Sweaty Betty, and Chaco. The segment represents about three-quarters of company revenue. Susie Kuhn, who has held the job since October 2024, left the company on Sept. 21.
Wolverine disclosed the change in a Form 8-K filed Monday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing says the role was eliminated effective Sept. 21, Kuhn departed the same day, and her responsibilities were distributed across the organization. No successor was named. The four brand leaders will report to Chris Hufnagel, president and chief executive. A spokesperson said the move reflects the company’s effort to “continue its transformation and evolution.”
Recent results do not suggest broad financial distress. Second-quarter revenue rose 6.8 percent to $506.4 million, operating profit increased 16.2 percent, and operating margin expanded 70 basis points to 9.3 percent. Wolverine also raised its full-year guidance for revenue, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted earnings. Merrell revenue increased 11.1 percent and Saucony grew 9.9 percent, while gross margin declined 70 basis points amid tariff pressure and Sweaty Betty revenue fell 2.4 percent.
Group-level president roles are often removed when companies flatten reporting lines. If Wolverine is spreading Kuhn’s responsibilities across multiple teams instead of appointing a replacement, more decisions may move closer to the brands, but coordination across the Active portfolio could become more fragmented. The company’s remaining segments are more concentrated after recent divestitures, and other leadership roles, including the Work segment, remain in place. Kuhn previously held senior roles at Foot Locker and at Nike, Converse, and Urban Outfitters.
