Michelle Poole, who retired as brand president of the Crocs brand in May 2024, has been named brand president of Pact, a Boulder, Colo.-based based sustainable apparel brand. The move is effective Monday.
This is the first brand president for the organization, building out a new brand marketing division.
Pact is a mission-driven apparel company dedicated to making “Earth’s Favorite Clothing,” and invites its customers to “Dress Yourself Well.” The company is rooted in wellness, offering versatile organic essentials made of 100 percent GOTS certified organic cotton in Fair Trade Certified factories.
Poole brings more than three decades in leadership experience in the global fashion and consumer industries to the role. During her tenure at Crocs, she played a pivotal role in transforming the brand into one of the fastest-growing footwear companies. Having joined Crocs in 2014, she served as executive vice president, chief product and merchandising officer and then was named brand president of Crocs in September 2020. Poole retired in May 2024 at the age of 55, and remained in an advisory role through early 2025. She has served on the board of Pact since 2018.
Earlier in her career, Poole worked at such companies as Sperry Top-Sider, Timberland, Kangol, Converse, MTV Europe and Pepe Jeans in a range of marketing, merchandising and product management roles.
For the past year, Poole has been consulting and joined the board of Soles4Soles. She relocated to Crocs, which is based Broomfield, Colo., several years ago, and has been living in the Boulder community for the past 11 years.
At the time of her retirement last year, Andrew Rees, chief executive officer of Crocs, said, “Over the last decade at Crocs, Michelle’s leadership across merchandising, product, design, marketing, and in her role as president has been fundamental to eclipsing the $3 billion U.S. brand revenue mark. Michelle will have a lasting imprint on our brand and in our organization, and I wish her all the best in her retirement.”
In a statement, Poole said, “Pact is a brand with heart, purpose and limitless potential. Their mission to dress the world with wellness deeply resonates with me, and I believe that business can be both a force for good and a driver of growth. I’m honored to join the talented team at Pact to help scale the brand while staying true to its values of sustainability, style and comfort for all.”
Poole’s appointment comes at a time of accelerated momentum for Pact, known for its organic cotton essentials, ethical supply chains and commitment to Fair Trade. In her new role as president, she will focus on expanding Pact’s product offerings, deepening consumer engagement, and strengthening the brand’s leadership in the sustainable apparel space.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle to Pact,” said Brendan Synnott, founder and CEO of Pact. “Her strategic vision, consumer insight, and authentic leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow our brand while staying firmly rooted in our mission. With Michelle’s leadership, Pact is poised to inspire more people to choose clothing that is not only stylish and comfortable but also better for people and the planet.”
Pact’s full assortment is sold from its website, wearpact.com, and a smaller assortment is also available at Whole Foods in store, and on Amazon, Nordstrom and Macy’s marketplace.
When Crocs received the Shoe of the Year award for the Crocs Classic Clog at the 35th annual FN Achievement Awards in 2021, Poole told the audience, “Crocs has faced a lot of criticism over the years. But we’ve stuck to whats made us unique. And it turns out that being different has been a key ingredient to our success.” In her acceptance speech, Poole acknowledged the journey of the Crocs Classic Clog, from being criticized for its chunky look to becoming the hottest shoe of 2021.