Cheryl Heinonen leaves Avon – sort of – for Macy’s

Cheryl Heinonen serves on the Avon Foundation board and will continue in that capacity as she steps into her new role at Macy’s. Starting January 9th, Heinonen will be Macy’s executive vice president of corporate communications.

Having worked 12 years with Avon and served as managing director of Burson-Marsteller before that, “Cheryl brings valuable expertise to the Macy’s executive team. She is a strategic communicator with an outstanding track record of connecting companies in a powerful way to employees, customers and a broad range of stakeholders,” ​Jeff Gennette, president of Macy’s tells the press in a company media release. (The New Year will see Gennette in a new role too: CEO.)

Up next​

Avon Products has announced that Chris Wermann will join the company as chief communications officer on January 3rd. He will report to Avon CEO Sheri McCoy and oversee corporate and internal comms, CSR, and sustainability as well as operations of the Avon Foundation for Women, as a company press item explains.  

Commenting on the new hire, McCoy notes that “as we move forward through this period of transition and continue delivering on our Transformation Plan, communicating effectively is more important than ever. With his strong leadership and impressive strategic communications experience, Chris will be an invaluable addition to our management team.”​

Until now​

Wermann’s prior experience includes being group director of corporate affairs for the UK’s Home Retail Group, European director of corporate affairs for Kellogg, and before that director of corporate affairs for Avis Europe.

“I am very pleased to join the team of such an iconic, global brand during this exciting time. I look forward to working with Sheri and the rest of the management team to ensure Avon's strategic communications best supports the Company's business and financial objectives,” ​Wermann tells the press.