Roger L. Rawlins served as the CEO of Designer Brands Inc. from January 2016 until April 2023. He's been with the company for over 16 years, holding various roles, including Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer. Roger started out...

Roger L. Rawlins served as the CEO of Designer Brands Inc. from January 2016 until April 2023. He's been with the company for over 16 years, holding various roles, including Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer. Roger started out in finance but quickly moved to operations and online management, showcasing his adaptability in a changing retail landscape. During his tenure as CEO, he faced several challenges, like the impact of COVID-19 on the retail sector, which significantly affected company performance. In 2020, he was awarded a total compensation of over $12 million, largely due to vested stock awards as part of his retention strategy amid the pandemic. However, his compensation fluctuated greatly, with a notable decline to around $1.04 million in 2023 due to performance metrics not being met. Roger left a structured severance plan, extending certain benefits post-employment. His strategic vision helped shape Designer Brands into a notable player in the footwear industry, emphasizing a cohesive omni-channel experience for customers. Now, he offers consulting services to assist during this transition in leadership.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Designer Brands CEOs

D

Roger L. Rawlins

Ex-CEO of Designer Brands

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Consumer Cyclical

Born

January 1, 1969 - 56 years ago

CEO of Designer Brands for

7 years 3 months (Jan 2016 - Apr 2023)

Previous Experience

Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company since January 2016; held various positions in the Company including Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer; Executive Vice President, Omni Channel; Senior Vice President and General Manager of DSW.com; and Vice President, Finance and Controller.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Roger L. Rawlins

S

Clifton E. Sifford

CEO of Shoe Carnival

2023 Compensation

Stock

$15.02K

Salary

$185.48K

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$25.90K

Total Holdings

$6.69M

G

Robert J. Dennis

CEO of Genesco

2020 Compensation

Stock

$250.00K

Salary

$800.00K

Bonus

$200.00K

Other

$100.00K

Total Holdings

$5.49M

Holdings

See how much did Roger L. Rawlins make over time.

During his time as CEO, Roger L. Rawlins had significant stock holdings in Designer Brands, peaking with vested stock that contributed to much of his total annual compensation. In 2020, he received about $5 million from vested stock units as...

During his time as CEO, Roger L. Rawlins had significant stock holdings in Designer Brands, peaking with vested stock that contributed to much of his total annual compensation. In 2020, he received about $5 million from vested stock units as part of a retention strategy. However, his holdings saw considerable fluctuation over the years, reflecting both market conditions and company performance. For instance, as the market stabilized post-pandemic, he faced a drop in valuations. By 2023, as he transitioned out, he still maintained a vested stock value around $13.5 million, though his overall financial stake in the company changed significantly depending on performance metrics set within his compensation agreements. This situation highlights the volatility that CEOs face in aligning their interests with shareholder value while managing their own personal wealth tied to company stock.

Jan 24, 2025

D

shares

DBI @ $5.66

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Roger L. Rawlins.

DBI

$150.52K

DBI at $2.88/share

Mar 18, 2020

Purchase

Compensation History

See how much did Roger L. Rawlins make over time.

Roger L. Rawlins' compensation as CEO of Designer Brands varied widely over his tenure. In 2020, he earned a total of approximately $12.08 million, predominantly through vested stock awards, reflecting his retention during a tough retail climate. His salary that year was around $1 million, and he had no bonus awarded due to performance thresholds not being achieved due to the pandemic. However, by 2022, his compensation dropped significantly to about $8.5 million while still reflecting the performance-based structure of his pay. In 2023, his total compensation plummeted to just over $1 million due to unmet performance metrics, missing cash incentive opportunities. The majority of his pay during these years came from vested stock, showing the critical link between company performance and executive compensation. The compensation structure was designed to incentivize and align Roger's interests with those of shareholders, but the unpredictable market led to substantial variances throughout his tenure.

Year

2023

Total Compensation

$14.50M

Salary

$250.00K

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy aims to attract and retain qualified leaders, drive performance, and align executive incentives with shareholder value creation.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

No bonus was paid for fiscal 2023 due to performance metrics not being met.

Other

$794.88K

Board Justification

Includes severance payments and health coverage reimbursement as part of the Transition Agreement.

Restricted Stock

$13.45M(1.56M RSU)

Board Justification

Vested time-based RSUs upon termination of employment as part of the Transition Agreement.

Performance Metrics

The primary performance metric for fiscal 2023 was Adjusted Operating Income, which was not met, resulting in no cash incentives.

Other Designer Brands CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Designer Brands

Doug M. Howe

CEO of Designer Brands

April 2023 - Present