Get to know our new and recently promoted leaders at Levi Strauss & Co. through these Quick Qs. In this edition, meet Bernard Bedon, our new Chief Human Resources Officer.
What did you do before joining LS&Co.?
Driving performance through talent, capabilities and culture has been my passion throughout my career. Most recently, I led all HR business partners, enterprise-wide, at Nike. I was also the primary HRBP for Nike’s Consumer & Marketplace team, the geographies, Jordan Brand and Converse. I originally joined Nike as the VP, HR for Global Operations & Technology, plus Corporate Functions (HR, Finance, Strategy and Legal).
Prior to Nike, I held various roles within the talent and HR space at Amgen, Publicis Groupe, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Towers Perrin (now Willis Towers Watson).
What attracted you to LS&Co.?
I am honored to be a part of LS&Co! Levi’s® is an iconic brand that projects quality, strength, independence and innovation. It is also important to me that LS&Co. has a reputation for consistently being one of the best places to work and a long history of social change and innovation.
Further, the company is a cornerstone of San Francisco and invests in many communities that are personally meaningful. I’m additionally excited by the aspirational growth strategy and DTC evolution, which will connect us even more with our fans and the culture.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Remember that life is about uplifting others — leave this place better than you found it and leave people better than when you met them.
Yes, life is serious, but we have to dare to dream. It’s good to move through the world with joy and remember that “no doesn’t mean never, and yes doesn’t mean forever.”
Bloom where you’re planted — do a great job with where you have landed in life or whatever situation you’ve inherited.
What is your hidden talent?
I am an amateur BBQ pitmaster — I have three smokers and various logs I use depending on the type of meat I am preparing.
What was your first job?
I was an assistant karate instructor at 14 years old, teaching Tang Soo Do and Jujutsu.
