Torrid Holdings Inc. has made significant leadership changes, announcing the resignation of Chief Financial Officer Paula Dempsey and the appointment of Will Langley as Interim CFO. This transition comes as the company prepares for future challenges in the retail apparel sector.
Effective October 14, 2026, Dempsey will step down from her role to pursue another opportunity, with her last day being November 12, 2026. The company confirmed that her departure is amicable and not due to any disagreements regarding operations or financial practices.
Will Langley, who has a robust background in finance from his previous role as CFO at Belk, Inc., will take over as Interim CFO starting October 28, 2026. Langley brings over 20 years of experience in retail finance, having held various leadership positions at Belk, including Vice President of Treasury and Financial Planning and Analysis.
Lisa Harper, CEO of Torrid, expressed gratitude for Dempsey's contributions, particularly in store optimization and financial management. She welcomed Langley, stating, "His breadth of experience and strategic contributions at Belk make him well suited to guide our finance organization. I look forward to the perspective he will bring to Torrid as we continue to execute on our priorities." Langley also expressed enthusiasm about joining Torrid at this pivotal time.
As a company focused on retail apparel and accessories, Torrid aims to provide stylish options for women sizes 8 to 30, emphasizing the importance of affordability and quality. The leadership change comes at a crucial moment as the retail sector continues to evolve, and competitors may be closely monitoring Torrid's next steps.
The filing does not say what happens next, but the leadership transition is expected to influence Torrid's strategic initiatives moving forward.