Gap poaches top sustainability exec from Levi Strauss

Two months ago, Levi Strauss Chief Sustainability Officer Jeffrey Hogue shared a LinkedIn job posting for the top sustainability role at Gap. This week, he was named to fill that role.

The move was announced by Hogue’s new boss, Sally Gilligan, chief supply chain and transformation officer at Gap. 

“As we continue our work to bridge gaps and create a better world, Jeff will lead our efforts across climate and equity, helping advance meaningful impact for our business, our communities, and the people we serve,” she wrote in a LinkedIn post. 

Hogue takes over from Daniel Fibiger, a 16-year Gap veteran who left in May after three years as vice president of global sustainability. Fibiger hasn’t revealed his next career plans.

Hogue joined Levi Strauss in July 2020, after six years leading sustainability at clothing retailer C&A, where he pioneered the use of reclaimed materials in the design of jeans and t-shirts and drove its use of organic cotton. While in that role, Hogue co-founded Fashion for Good, a brand-supported collaboration that supports development of next-generation materials and processes meant to address the fashion industry’s environmental footprint.

During his tenure at Levi Strauss, Hogue drove projects including a “plant-based 501” jeans design that uses vegan leather and natural dyes, and a “circular” version that mixes organic cotton with Circulose fiber made from reclaimed textiles. 

Under Hogue’s leadership, Levi Strauss also extended its long-time commitment to reducing the water used in jeans production: The current goal is to cut freshwater consumption across the apparel company’s supply chain by 15 percent by 2030 compared with 2022 levels.

Prior to C&A, Hogue worked in sustainability at fast food franchise McDonald’s, ingredient company Danisco and biotech firm Genencor.