THE ASSERTIVE & COURAGEOUS LEADER

Anu Gupta was appointed Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.’s Executive Vice President, Chief Growth Officer in November 2021, a newly created role focused on internal and external growth opportunities. Anu is responsible for driving growth through the development and incubation of strategic partnerships and management of an increasingly expanding revenue ecosystem, while helping maintain the core business.

Anu joined Bed Bath & Beyond in September 2020 as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, leading the comprehensive strategy and transformation program and helping to modernize the operating model. Anu has 30 years of leadership experience across retail, technology and private equity. Previous roles include senior-level operational roles at Target, private equity firm Hellman & Friedman LLC, and The Michaels Companies, Inc., among others.

Anu serves on the Board of Directors at H&R Block and is Chair of the Nominating & Governance Committee. She received her MBA Finance and BS Honors (ranked 3rd) from University of Delhi.

She learned her first lessons in retail from her grandmother in Jamaica, who owned a small furniture store and had a reputation for friendly, top-notch customer service. "I learnt the importance of serving others and having an entrepreneurial spirit. My grandma constantly reminded me to be 'always thinking ahead,' work hard and never give up," recalls Ann-Marie.

However, there was one instance where Ann-Marie wanted to give up. She had come back from maternity leave with her second son and wanted to quit the job. The news reached her then boss, Lynn Martineau who flew in and surprised Ann-Marie in the parking lot. "I had bad numbers, bad shrinks [returns], and every Monday on the company conference call, I was being pounded on everything. And I had two kids under 4," she explains. Lynn patiently heard and told her that she was being promoted to to district manager, with 13 stores under her leadership. "I was completely overwhelmed," she says. Lynn had observed Ann-Marie's assertive talent and recognized her good instincts and simply wanted to put her where she can grow. Back then the company was still young and growing fast and it was people like Ann-Marie who made the difference.

Living Home Depot’s values is a passion for Ann-Marie. She is an active Team Depot volunteer, working side by side with other associates to give back to local communities. She serves as the board chair of The Homer Fund, a charity that supports Home Depot associates facing unexpected financial hardship. She is also on the board of the Georgia Aquarium and Workday.

Ann-Marie is a graduate of Georgia State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in business administration. She is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an international business honor society and the National Scholars Honor Society.

After more than 35 years with the company, Ann-Marie brings a deep understanding of The Home Depot’s operations, culture and customers. From championing change and diversity to showing confidence in others to empowering others to succeed, Ann-Marie embodies traits that make a bold leader.

Anu Gupta

EVP, Chief Growth Officer, Bed Bath & Beyond