Collette announces first female CEO in 106 years

Collette has announced the succession of Jaclyn Leibl-Cote to chief executive officer of the organization, only the fourth CEO in the company’s 106-year history.

Leibl-Cote is the third generation of the Sullivan family to transition into the role, and the first female leader of the company.

In this role, she will lead Collette’s executive and strategic leadership teams, driving both the global company’s strategic direction and its day-to-day operations.

Current Collette CEO, Dan Sullivan, Jr. announced the promotion at a companywide meeting, sharing his excitement for the change of leadership and the company’s robust future.

He will transition to the role of executive chairman, effective immediately, where he will act as an advisor to Leibl-Cote and the executive team on the company’s overall direction and long-term strategy.

“This transition is the culmination of a comprehensive succession planning process to ensure leadership continuity and position Collette for continued growth,” Sullivan said in a press release. “Jaclyn has served as president and chief customer experience officer since 2018, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the organization. She successfully steered the company through a global pandemic, with Collette emerging stronger and more innovative than ever before.”

Leibl-Cote joined Collette in 2005, holding roles as tour guide, client care agent, product designer and strategist, head of marketing, and most recently as president and chief customer experience officer.

“She has driven product line differentiation, developed an innovative customer experience platform, broadened the company’s leadership team, evolved a data-driven strategy and cultivated a values-led culture,” the company said.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Rhode Island and an MBA from Babson College.

She is a member of the URI Arts & Sciences Advisory Council, Chairwoman of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Committee, and an avid supporter of many local and global non-profits.

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