Chris Hurt

Chief Executive Officer

J. Christopher “Chris” Hurt is the Chief Executive Officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW). He assumed this role in June 2026 after 11 years serving as Chief Operations Officer, and more recently, Chief Operations and Experience Officer. 

Hurt’s tenure has focused on restructuring the organization’s largest business unit, the global retail management and operations team, including guest experience, real estate, build-out, and logistics. Under his leadership, the company executed a successful multi-dimensional retail turnaround, resulting in best-in-class vertical retail operations, generating top-tier profitability for the experience-driven brand, and reigniting international expansion. Since early 2024, Hurt shifted his operational and consumer-insight expertise to redefine the Brand, Merchandising, Marketing and Licensing areas of the business where he has further extended consumer segments and categories through product expansion and engaging brand initiatives. 

Prior to joining the Company, Hurt was at American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. from 2002 to April 2015 in various senior leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including Senior Vice President, North America, and Vice President/General Manager—Factory, Canada, Mexico Retail from 2011 to April 2015, and East Zone Vice President and Regional Director from 2002 to 2011. Before joining American Eagle Outfitters, Hurt held positions of increasing responsibility at companies including Polo Ralph Lauren and The Procter & Gamble Company. 

Hurt also previously served as the President of Build-A-Bear Foundation and was a member of the Executive Steering Committee for Make-A-Wish Missouri/Kansas. He has also been involved with Toys for Tots, American Red Cross, United Way of Metro STL and Shriners Children’s Hospital. 

Hurt earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Missouri and serves on the University of Missouri Alumni Association Board of Directors. 

Voin Todorovic

Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

Voin Todorovic joined Build-A-Bear Workshop in September 2014 as Chief Financial Officer. In July 2026, he assumed the additional role of Chief Administrative Officer, expanding his responsibilities to include enterprise-wide administrative oversight.

Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Todorovic was employed at Wolverine Worldwide, Inc., a leading global footwear and apparel company, where he served as the head of finance and operations for its Lifestyle Group, which includes a portfolio of iconic brands such as Sperry Top-Sider®, Hush Puppies®, Keds®, and Stride Rite®. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Todorovic was Vice President—Finance and Administration of the Stride Rite Children’s Group business, operating in wholesale, direct to consumer and international franchising, and from 2010 to 2011 Mr. Todorovic was Vice President of the Performance + Lifestyle Group. Prior to his tenure at Wolverine Worldwide, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Collective Brands, Inc. and Payless ShoeSource.

Dave Henderson

Chief Growth Officer

David Henderson joined Build-A-Bear Workshop as Chief Revenue Officer in September 2024, bringing more than two decades of global experience in driving growth and innovation across leading consumer brands. In July 2026, has was named Chief Growth Officer, reflecting an expanded focus on long-term global growth, revenue diversification and strategic expansion.

Before joining Build-A-Bear, he served as Chief Commercial Officer at Melissa & Doug, where he played a key role in expanding global reach and accelerating omnichannel strategies and revenue. Earlier in his career, Mr. Henderson held senior global leadership positions at prominent companies including Newell Brands (Global Baby Gear, Graco & Baby Jogger) and Hasbro where he led initiatives and teams across marketing, sales, and brand development. A native of Canada, Mr. Henderson earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto.

Yevgeny Fundler

Chief Legal Officer & Secretary

Yevgeny Fundler joined Build-A-Bear Workshop as Chief Legal Officer and Secretary in August 2025. Mr. Fundler is a strategic leader and trusted advisor with more than 25 years of experience delivering business-focused legal solutions. He is an accomplished legal counsel in the areas of corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, financial and capital market transactions, complex commercial transactions, intellectual property and litigation management, and compliance. Prior to joining Build-A-Bear, Mr. Fundler led the law departments of publicly traded companies Benson Hill, Inc. and American Railcar Industries, Inc. He also served as General Counsel of WestPoint Home LLC, a company in the business of manufacturing, licensing, and distributing various home textile products and brands with an international manufacturing base in Bahrain and a multinational sourcing operation. Prior to WestPoint Home’s engagement, Mr. Fundler served as Assistant General Counsel of Icahn Enterprises L.P., a diversified holding company engaged in investment, energy, automotive, food packing, metals, real estate, and home fashion. Mr. Fundler earned his Bachelor of Arts in International Business from San Diego State University and his Juris Doctor from University of California College of the Law, San Francisco.

Dara Meath

SVP, Chief Technology Officer

Dara Meath joined Build-A-Bear Workshop as SVP, Chief Technology Officer in January 2023, where she leads the global technology, project management, and digital development strategy, overseeing innovation across data, infrastructure, privacy, security, and risk management. Before joining Build-A-Bear, Ms. Meath served as Divisional CIO and Head of Digital Development at Conair LLC, where she successfully led enterprise-wide digital modernization efforts. She previously held senior leadership roles at Camuto Group and Apparel Business Systems, where she architected and executed large-scale application and infrastructure transformations.

Roz Johnson

SVP, Chief People Officer

Rosalind (Roz) Johnson is the SVP, Chief People & Experience Officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop. Prior to joining Build-A-Bear in July 2015, Ms. Johnson was Vice-President of Store Operations at Scrubs & Beyond from 2013 to 2015 and was at American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. from 2002 to 2013 in various senior leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including Vice-President/Director of Stores for the aerie brand, Regional Vice-President of American Eagle and aerie, and Regional Director. Before joining American Eagle Outfitters, Ms. Johnson also held leadership positions at

Gap Inc.

 

Ms. Johnson has a solid track record of delivering profitable revenue growth by building high-performing teams and developing process improvements and innovative solutions that increase speed to action, enable agility and increase productivity, while ensuring consistency in the brand experience. She brings strategic thinking and a collaborative team approach, helping companies optimize their organizational structure and attract, develop, and retain the talent critical to executing with excellence and achieving strategic objectives.

Kim Utlaut

SVP, Chief Brand Officer

Kim Utlaut joined Build-A-Bear Workshop in October 2024 as SVP, Chief Brand Officer. Prior to joining Build-A-Bear, Ms. Utlaut was at The Coca-Cola Company from 2001 to 2024 in various senior leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including Head of Amateur Sports in North America and General Manager, Franchise Leadership. During her tenure, she developed strategic partnerships with organizations such as the NCAA, U.S. Soccer, and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Her innovative marketing strategies elevated brand visibility and successfully drove recruitment and retention initiatives. Before joining The Coca-Cola company, Ms. Utlaut held positions of increasing responsibility at companies including Sprint and AB InBev.