Sally Jewell is president and chief executive officer of REI, a national retail cooperative providing quality gear and clothing for active outdoor activities. Founded by a group of mountaineers in 1938, REI currently serves more than 4 million active members through 114 retail stores in 27 states.
The co-op has been named by FORTUNE magazine as one of “100 Best companies to Work For in America” every year since the list’s inception, currently ranking number 9 on the 2011 list.
With a deep commitment to outdoor stewardship, the cooperative supported many non-profit organizations in 2010, including outdoor volunteer projects in which more than 315,000 people donated 2.2 million hours of volunteer service to public lands. REI is also committed to engaging children with nature, supporting many programs across the country, including its Promoting Environmental awareness in Kids, or PEAK program, which reached more than 135,000 children in 2010.