Sharen Jester Turney () is an American businesswoman, and former president and CEO of Victoria's Secret (before 2019), a $7.7 billion company which she led for a decade, doubling profit and increasing sales by 70%, Victoria's Secret is the largest retailer of intimate apparel, and the largest subsidiary of L Brands Inc (formerly Limited Brands Inc).Yahoo! Fianace Industry Center. "Victoria's Secret Stores, LLC Company Profile", Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved 18 October 2013. In 2013, Bloomberg named Jester Turney the fourth highest compensated female executive in the United States.Murray, Brent. "The 15 Highest-Paid Female Top Executives", Bloomberg.com, 19 August 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013. In February 2016, she stepped down as CEO after a decade and the previous six years as president and CEO of Victoria's Secret Direct.

Career Turney attended the University of Oklahoma, and earned a bachelor's degree in business education with a minor in public relations.Warlick, Heather. "Oklahoma native and Victoria's Secret CEO Sharen Jester Turney to speak at OU symposium", The Oklahoman, 9 April 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013. Upon graduation in 1979, she began her career as a buyer for Foley's, a department store chain in Houston, Texas.L Brands Inc Executive Profile. "Sharen Jester Turney", Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved on 18 October 2013.Eckert, Christy. "The secret behind the sexy", Capital Style, 2 November 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2013.

Following stints at Byer California and Federated Department Stores, Turney joined Neiman Marcus, where she became executive vice president of merchandising and then senior vice president and general merchandise manager. She finished her career at Neiman Marcus as president and CEO of NM Direct, the company's e-commerce and catalog division, Horchow Catalog and Chefs Catalog.Williamson, Rusty. "NM Direct taps Turney as president, Chief exec.", Women's Wear Daily (WWD), Vol. 177 Issue 54, p2.Burch, Kate. "Sharen Jester, OU alumnus and CEO of Victoria's Secret, to speak at OU's Price College of Business", University of Oklahoma Press Release, 19 April 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2013. In 2000, she became the CEO of Victoria's Secret Direct, the e-commerce and catalog division of the successful women's apparel and lingerie brand, Victoria's Secret.Forbes Executive Profiles. "Sharen Turney", Forbes.com. Retrieved 18 October 2013.

In July 2006, Turney was promoted to president and CEO of Victoria's Secret.Merrick, Amy. "Apparently, you can be too sexy", The Wall Street Journal, 29 February 2008. Retrieved 18 October 2013. As CEO, she has overseen an increase in total sales revenue from $4.5 billion to over $7.7 billion and more than doubled the profit in 2015. Victoria's Secret is currently the largest subsidiary of L Brands Inc at 40% of total revenue. She resigned as CEO of Victoria's Secret in February 2016.

Turney is on the board of trustees for the University of Oklahoma Foundation and the board of directors for Bread Financial and Academy Sports + Outdoors in North America and NewStore in the US and Europe. She serves on the Jay H. Baker Retailing Initiative advisory board at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Turney served as chairman of the board of directors for the Turney served as chairman of the board of directors for the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, was on the board of directors for both Nationwide Children's Hospital and The James Cancer Hospital, and was an eight-year board of directors member for M/I Homes, Inc.

In December 2018, Turney becomes interim CEO of private apparel company, Gloria Jeans.

Awards and recognition In 2018, Turney received the University of Oklahoma's Celebration of Education Award of Distinction, the college's highest honor, presented to alumni.

In 2016, Turney was honored at the Way to Win Gala in New York for her support of the organizations work to assist homeless women and children on their journey toward independence. The event is Way to Win's largest annual fundraiser.

In 2015, Turney was inducted into the state of Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

In March 2014 Glassdoor included Turney in "America's Favorite Bosses" CEO ranking list (one of only two women). In March 2013, Turney was the only female CEO in the Top 50 of Glassdoor's "America's Favorite Bosses" list. In 2011, Turney ranked in the Top 10 of the Glassdoor's ten most popular retail CEOs.

In 2005, Turney received the Dr. Catherine White Achievement Award from HeartShare Human Services in New York City. In 2009, she received the H.U.G. Award from the Intimate Apparel Square Club (IASC) in honor of her participation in raising funds for pediatric charities."The HUG Award Past Honorees", thehugaward.org. Retrieved 18 October 2013. In 2013, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the business education department at the University of Oklahoma, her alma mater.Anglin, Lori Johnston. "'Giving With Style' symposium features Victoria's Secret CEO", University of Oklahoma Press Release, 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013. During her time at the university, she was a member of the Delta Gamma fraternity.

In 2004, Turney accepted the Femmy Award from The Underfashion Club

In 1997 and while at Neiman Marcus, Turney received the distinguished Fashion Medal of Honor.

Personal life and philanthropy Turney was born in 1956 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and grew up on a farm to a cattle rancher father and teacher and nutritionist mother. She has been married since 1989 to her husband Charles and they have a son, Matthew, born in 1994.

Turney is on the board of trustees for the University of Oklahoma Foundation, the board of directors for Nationwide Children's Hospital."Nationwide Children's Hospital 2013 Full Board Listing", Nationwide Children's Hospital, 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013." She is chairman of the Research Institute for Nationwide Children's Hospital. Turney is part of the Industry Advisory Committee for the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania."Jay H. Baker Retailing Center Industry Advisory Board" , "Wharton School, 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.Sharen Jester Turney Philanthropy Site, Sharen Jester Turney Giving Philosophy, July, 2014

Turney has given to The James at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. her alma mater University of Oklahoma, and Nationwide Children's Hospital.

References