Macy’s, Lenox Executives to be Honored by Housewares Charity Foundation

Terry Lundgren, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s Inc., and Lester Gribetz, president of Lenox Corp., will be honored by the Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) during its 19th Annual Housewares Charity Foundation Gala March 7 during the 2016 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.

Lundgren will receive the Lifetime Humanitarian Award and Gribetz will receive the Humanitarian of the Year Award during the gala at Navy Pier. Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity. Since the first gala in 1998, HCF has raised more than $30 million and has been credited with donating more than $27 million to BCRF.

Co-chairs for the 2016 event are Phil Brandl, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association and Jeff Siegel, president and CEO, Lifetime Brands Inc. In a collaborative effort among industry manufacturers, retailers and allied industry partners, the non-profit HCF hosts this annual event to raise funds for critical causes, unite the housewares industry and honor its leaders.  Honorees are selected for their humanitarian efforts and exceptional leadership.

The 2016 theme, “It’s Smart to Have Heart,” offers a star-studded evening that, along with the honoree tributes, will include auctions and entertainment. The gala will begin with a cocktail reception featuring 10 tasting stations hosted by James Beard Foundation chefs and Macy’s Culinary Council, including Jimmy Bannos Jr., Rick Bayless, Gale Gand, Paul Kahan and Erling Wu-Bower, Marcus Samuelsson, Nancy Silverton, Art Smith, Takashi Yagihashi, Paul Virant and Andrew Zimmerman. Dinner will feature a three-course meal designed by Tony Mantuano, chef/partner, Spiaggia Restaurant & Lounge.

Lundgren has been chairman and CEO of Macy’s Inc. since January 2004 and also served as president from 2003 to March 2014. He was named president and CEO in February 2003 after having served as president and chief merchandising officer since May 1997. Lundgren began his retailing career in 1975 as a trainee with Bullock’s. Lundgren was named one of the Top 30 CEOs in the world by Barron’s in 2015; he was WWD’s “Newsmaker of the Year” in 2014 and is the recipient of the Deming Cup by Columbia Business School for distinction in leading continuous improvement. 

Gribetz currently serves as the president of the Lenox, kate spade, Dansk, Gorham, Marchesa and Donna Karan. He began his career in 1954 as an executive trainee at Bloomingdale’s. After several promotions, Gribetz left Bloomingdale’s operating division in 1963 and assumed his first merchandise assignment as group manager for the housewares, domestics and home furnishings accessories. 

BCRF was founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993. Lauder, a champion for advancing the world’s most promising research to eradicate breast cancer, passed away in November 2012 in New York City.