Destination Maternity executive switch-up: Ryan out as CEO, but involved in the search for a new one

Marla Ryan is out as chief executive officer of Destination Maternity, a position she was appointed to just a year and some weeks ago.

“By mutual agreement with the board of directors,” she steps down but will remain with the company as president of product design, sourcing and merchandising.

Destination Maternity created an interim Office of the CEO to provide leadership and oversight in day-to-day operations while the company looks for Ryan’s replacement. She will serve alongside board member and former Things Remembered CEO Lisa Gavales and Dave Helkey, chief financial officer and chief operating officer.

“As the company strives to improve its performance and deliver profitable growth, the board of directors unanimously determined that the company would benefit from new leadership and enhanced execution,” Gavales said.

The board will also conduct a strategic, comprehensive review of initiatives to ensure “real and sizeable change” in the business.

The Moorestown-based company also appointed Gene Davis to its board of directors, for which he will serve as chair. He is currently CEO and chairman of the privately held consulting group at Pirinate Consulting Group LLC, which specializes in turnaround management, merger and acquisition consulting, hostile and friendly takeovers, proxy contests and strategic planning advisory services for domestic and international public and private business entities.