Chip Bergh is the former president and chief executive officer of Levi Strauss & Co. and currently serves as executive vice chair of its board. The company experienced a dramatic turnaround under Chip’s 12 years as CEO, marked by sustained profitable growth and a return to the center of culture behind purpose-driven leadership. The company’s revenues grew by roughly 40% during his tenure and its market cap increased five-fold. LS&Co. returned to the public markets with a successful IPO in March 2019.
A self-declared “brand guy,” Chip has led many iconic brands during his 45-year career spanning the U.S., Asia and Europe. Prior to joining LS&Co. as CEO in 2011, Chip spent 28 years at Procter & Gamble (P&G) in roles of increasing scope and complexity in brand management, general management and executive leadership. Among many accomplishments, Chip led the creation and launch of Swiffer, oversaw the turnaround of Old Spice and was the first P&G executive to lead the iconic Gillette blades and razors business globally following P&G’s $57 billion acquisition of Gillette in 2005.
Chip joined the board of directors of HP Inc. (HPQ), the market-leading print and personal systems business, in 2015. He became lead independent director in March 2017 and became chairman of the board in July 2018. Chip served on the board of directors for VF Corporation (VFC) from 2008 to 2011; the Economic Development Board of Singapore from 2000 to 2005; and the Levi Strauss Foundation from 2011 to 2024.
Chip was named one of the World’s Greatest Leaders in 2019 by Fortune magazine and has been widely recognized for his statements and actions on important issues like gun-violence prevention, women’s reproductive rights and social and racial justice.
