Leading By Example

Mary Winston is a seasoned executive who has held key leadership positions with several U.S. retail giants and serves on the public boards of Northrop Grumman, TD Bank Group, Acuity Brands Inc., and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Winston’s appointment is a testament to the reputation the Charlotte-based firm has established in just one year since its inception. Nexus’ leadership team boasts decades of deep and relevant expertise from well-respected corporations across the United States and is wholly aligned with Nexus’ values, mission and tailored, hands-on approach to executive search. 

Previously, Winston held chief financial officer roles at national retailer Family Dollar, grocery and convenience chain Giant Eagle, and global media and publishing company Scholastic. She assumed the role of interim CEO at Bed Bath & Beyond from May to November 2019, making her just the second Black woman to serve as CEO of a Fortune 500 company. 

“Nexus could not be more proud to have Mary on our team,” said Nexus founder and Managing Partner Thaddeus V. Jones. “Her years of experience across diverse industries and corporate strategy acumen will be instrumental in helping Nexus achieve its next milestones. More importantly, Mary brings the same sense of purpose and an intentional, values-driven mindset that will be integral to not only meeting our clients’ needs, but to continuing to grow the Nexus brand and reimagine what executive search can be.” 

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Winston has been named one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business by Black Enterprise magazine and one of the 100 Most Influential People in Finance by Treasury & Risk Management. In 2019, she was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Charlotte Business Journal for its CFO of the Year Awards. 

“I’ve had the good fortune to spend the better part of my life building a successful career, one that has challenged me and helped me to become the leader I am today, and while my corporate work will continue, I am also overjoyed to have the opportunity to more fully lean into my purpose and passion – helping companies hire, develop and engage diverse leaders – by joining the Nexus team,” said Winston. “Nexus’ purpose-driven, people-first ethos is a true differentiator in the executive search field and aligns seamlessly with the goals I’ve set for my next chapter. I feel privileged to be joining this team of disruptors and innovators, and I look forward to the future we will build together.”