In 2001, Maya Dukes was a senior graphic designer at Macy's. More than two decades later, she's walking back into the company as Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Director, this time tasked with shaping creative strategy and customer experience for the entire brand.
Macy's announced on Tuesday that Dukes will start next Monday, reporting to Chief Marketing Officer Sharon Otterman, with responsibilities spanning creative strategy and brand presentation across all of Macy's customer touchpoints. The company says she will work with leaders in marketing, merchandising, and digital "to bring the Macy's brand to life across the full customer journey," focusing on strengthening and reimagining the Macy's name as part of the company's three-year strategic framework known as the "Bold New Chapter." Launched in February 2024, the strategy includes closing 150 underperforming stores, increasing investment in remaining locations, accelerating expansion of the luxury business, modernizing operating systems, and continuing to grow Bloomies — a smaller-format, more targeted spinoff of Bloomingdale's — along with expanding the number of Bluemercury stores.
Dukes previously served as a senior graphic designer at Macy's from 2001 to 2007, an experience the company says laid the groundwork for her expertise in "creative storytelling, catalog design, and brand marketing." Since then, she has built more than two decades of experience leading creative organizations, working with clients including Delta, Jack Henry & Associates, Comcast NBCUniversal, Tuesday Morning, and The Home Depot.
