Birdy Grey, the direct-to-consumer (D2C) bridal brand, has undergone key leadership changes. Cat Chen has taken over as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) following the departure of Eloquii co-founder Steve Zawada in June 2023. Brendan Hastings, ex-vice president, Thinx Inc., has also been appointed as the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), who was serving as a CTO at Guilds by FirstMark, a private community for C-Suite leaders.
Cat Chen brings an impressive 19 years of consumer packaged goods experience and extensive startups involvement, notably being an early team member at the Honest Company, where she played a pivotal role in its substantial growth. As Birdy Grey’s COO, Chen will oversee essential aspects like product sourcing, merchandising, inventory planning, fulfillment, transportation, customer service, and analytics.
On the other hand, Brendan Hastings will be spearheading product, tech, and e-commerce strategy for the brand. Hastings possesses seven years of experience leading tech, data, and product teams at DTC period brand Thinx, contributing to its acquisition by Kimberly-Clark and showcasing a knack for innovative online shopping experiences.
Founders Monica Ashauer and Grace Lee express enthusiasm about these significant hires, foreseeing their valuable contributions in driving innovation and propelling the company into its next phase of growth. Established in 2017, Birdy Grey specializes in offering budget-friendly bridesmaid dresses for under US $ 100, along with gifts and accessories for bridal parties, having already served over half a million bridesmaids since its inception.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
