Roz Johnson
Company: Build-A-Bear Workshop
Location: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rpjohnson1](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rpjohnson1)
Current Role and Tenure
Roz Johnson currently serves as the Senior Vice President (SVP) and Chief People Officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop. She has held this role since at least August 2022, having been officially announced in this capacity at that time. She is a key executive overseeing human capital strategy and organizational culture at Build-A-Bear Workshop, bringing extensive leadership acumen into the company's people operations.
Career Path at Build-A-Bear Workshop
- Joined Build-A-Bear Workshop in July 2015 as Managing Director of Store Operations.
- Progressed to Senior Vice President of Store Operations and Guest Experience before transitioning to her current People Officer role.
- Her leadership scope evolved from operational management of stores to broader enterprise-wide responsibility for people management and organizational development.
Leadership and Industry Recognition
- Roz Johnson was recognized as a leader in the retail industry, including honors by notable organizations such as the Women in Retail Leadership Circle.
- Her professional presence includes active engagement in industry discussions related to retail and leadership development.
- Featured in multiple interviews and panel discussions highlighting her expertise and approach to leadership in the retail and consumer experience sectors.
Role in Build-A-Bear Foundation
- In April 2024, Roz Johnson was appointed President of the Build-A-Bear Foundation's Board of Directors, overseeing the foundation’s philanthropic initiatives.
- Under her leadership, the Foundation has publicly committed to increasing its social impact, including initiatives aimed at donations of books, bears, and experiential programs targeted at children and communities.
- This role signals a strategic expansion of her influence beyond core business operations to corporate social responsibility and brand community engagement.
Professional Background Prior to Build-A-Bear Workshop
- Roz Johnson brings significant specialty and department store experience to her role at Build-A-Bear, although specific previous employers are not disclosed in the available data.
- Her experience reflects deep operational and leadership know-how in retail environments focused on customer experience and store operations.
Educational Background
- While specific degree details tied directly to Roz Johnson are not explicitly stated in the data, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is repeatedly referenced.
- Other Build-A-Bear executives with the surname Johnson (e.g., Richard A. Johnson) have confirmed UW-Eau Claire educational credentials, but Roz Johnson’s precise academic achievements remain unspecified in publicly available information.
Company and Market Context
- Build-A-Bear Workshop, headquartered in St. Louis, is an iconic experiential retailer specializing in customizable plush toys and related merchandise.
- Recent strategic moves under Roz Johnson’s leadership include expansion into new markets such as Iceland and opening a flagship store in Orlando, indicating growth and market penetration efforts.
- The company's public communications emphasize innovation in customer experience and talent acquisition, areas directly relevant to Roz Johnson’s purview.
Professional Network and Presence
- Roz Johnson’s LinkedIn network exceeds 500 connections, highlighting strong industry visibility and professional engagement.
- Active social media posts reveal a focus on talent management, store operations excellence, and sharing corporate milestones and initiatives.
Summary: Roz Johnson is a highly accomplished retail executive with over eight years’ tenure at Build-A-Bear Workshop, currently steering the company’s people strategy as SVP and Chief People Officer. Her career progression from store operations management to executive leadership reflects a broad skill set in both frontline retail management and strategic human resources leadership. In her role as President of the Build-A-Bear Foundation Board, she also directs significant philanthropic efforts aligned with the company’s brand mission. Her leadership is marked by driving growth initiatives, enhancing employee engagement, and expanding corporate social responsibility programs within Build-A-Bear Workshop.
