In Change of Course, Away's Steph Korey Returns as CEO

Away co-founder Steph Korey, who stepped down as CEO following reports of her role in creating a toxic culture, is back at the helm of the luggage startup. The original plan was for lululemon COO Stuart Haselden to take over yesterday and, in a way, he has. Haselden will now be co-CEO along with Korey. In an interview with The New York Times, Korey said the board changed its mind after realizing it wasn’t the right move. This decision comes after The Verge’s explosive investigation into Away’s toxic workplace. Since then, the company has hired a lawyer, Elizabeth M. Locke, though hasn't filed a lawsuit. Locke successfully sued Rolling Stone for defamation regarding an alleged gang rape at the University of Virginia.

Total Retail's Take: This news came as a surprise considering Korey's admission last month that her behavior and comments toward Away employees were "wrong, plain and simple," along her decision to step down as CEO. With its hiring of a lawyer, one is led to believe that Away is going to file a lawsuit against Verge for the investigative article it published. However, I'm suspect about the veracity of such a lawsuit. I base that opinion upon Korey's initial reaction to the article. Here's hoping that Korey has learned from this incident, taken the opportunity to improve her leadership skills, and improves the workplace culture at Away.