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Gap, Inc.

Apparel RetailFounded 1969
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026

Leadership History

Gap: CEO History

6 leaders · 1995 to present

Who is the CEO of Gap?

Richard Dickson is the CEO of Gap, in the role since 2023. The first chief executive was Millard "Mickey" Drexler, from 1995.

Current CEO
Richard Dickson (since 2023)
First CEO
Millard "Mickey" Drexler (1995)
Leaders documented
6
Founded
1969
NameRoleFromToYears in role
Richard DicksonPresident and Chief Executive Officer2023Present3
Bob MartinInterim Chief Executive Officer202220231
Sonia SyngalFormer Chief Executive Officer202020222
Art PeckPresident and Chief Executive Officer201520194
Glenn MurphyChairman and Chief Executive Officer200720147
Millard "Mickey" DrexlerPresident and Chief Executive Officer199520027
Who was CEO of Gap before Richard Dickson?
Bob Martin was CEO of Gap from 2022 to 2023, before Richard Dickson took over in 2023.

Company Overview

Gap Inc. is a US specialty apparel company headquartered in San Francisco. It owns four brands: Old Navy, its largest by sales; Gap, the original 1969 denim and casualwear brand; Banana Republic, its premium label; and Athleta, women's activewear. It ended Q2 fiscal 2026 with nearly 3,500 stores in about 35 countries, including 2,471 company-operated locations, and trades on the NYSE as GAP. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Richard Dickson

President and Chief Executive Officer

2023 – Present

3 years (current)

Key Decisions & Impact

Became CEO in August 2023 after serving as president and COO of Mattel. Launched a brand reinvigoration plan, hired Zac Posen as creative director in 2024, and named Michael Francis to lead Old Navy in August 2026.

Legacy

Under Dickson, Gap reported net income of $844 million in fiscal 2024 and $816 million in fiscal 2025, up from $502 million in fiscal 2023, with eight straight quarters of positive comparable sales through Q4 fiscal 2025.

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Bob Martin

Interim Chief Executive Officer

2022 – 2023

1 year

Key Decisions & Impact

As Executive Chairman and interim CEO, Martin guided Gap Inc. through extreme internal turmoil following the abrupt departure of Sonia Syngal.

Legacy

He managed the highly publicized, catastrophic termination of the Yeezy Gap partnership and initiated the search that resulted in the hiring of Richard Dickson to revive the struggling brands.

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Sonia Syngal

Former Chief Executive Officer

2020 – 2022

2 years

Key Decisions & Impact

Former Old Navy chief who became CEO in March 2020, led the company through the pandemic, introduced the Power Plan 2023 strategy, and signed the Yeezy Gap partnership.

Legacy

Her tenure ended in July 2022 amid inventory problems and a weak Old Navy performance.

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Art Peck

President and Chief Executive Officer

2015 – 2019

4 years

Key Decisions & Impact

Peck became chief executive in February 2015 and planned to separate Old Navy into its own listed company.

Legacy

Sales at the Gap brand kept falling and the board removed him in November 2019. The Old Navy separation was cancelled two months later.

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Glenn Murphy

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

2007 – 2014

7 years

Key Decisions & Impact

Murphy joined from the Canadian chain Shoppers Drug Mart in 2007 and cut costs and store space in North America.

Legacy

He expanded Gap in China and online and bought Athleta in 2008. Art Peck succeeded him in 2015.

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Millard "Mickey" Drexler

President and Chief Executive Officer

1995 – 2002

7 years

Key Decisions & Impact

Drexler joined Gap in 1983 as president, remade its product range and became chief executive in 1995. He launched Old Navy in 1994.

Legacy

Gap sales grew to more than $13 billion under him. He left in 2002 after a long run of falling comparable sales and later led J.Crew.

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Challenges & Strategic Context

Gap's main challenges heading into late 2026 are uneven brand performance, tariff exposure, and price competition. Old Navy, which supplies more than half of company sales, posted a 4% comparable-sales decline in Q2 fiscal 2026 and needed heavier promotions, prompting a leadership change. Athleta has been shrinking, including an 11% sales decline in Q4 fiscal 2025. Most merchandise is produced in Asia, so US tariffs weigh on margins; Q2 fiscal 2026 reported results included a large one-time benefit from expected recovery of IEEPA tariffs, which masks a more modest 41.4% adjusted gross margin. Gap also competes with off-price chains, mass merchants, and ultra-low-price online sellers such as Shein and Temu.

Gap CEO and Leadership FAQ

Who was Donald Fisher and what was his foundational role as CEO of Gap Inc.?

Donald Fisher co-founded The Gap in 1969 with his wife Doris Fisher and served as CEO until 1995 (and Chairman until 2004). Fisher grew Gap from a single San Francisco shop selling Levi's and vinyl records into a global retail conglomerate, pioneering casual specialty apparel retail.

What well-known transformations occurred under Millard 'Mickey' Drexler as CEO (1995 to 2002)?

Mickey Drexler joined Gap in 1983 and served as CEO from 1995 to 2002. Drexler transformed Gap into an international cultural icon: launching the private-label Gap brand, creating Old Navy in 1994, acquiring Banana Republic in 1983, and pioneering well-known khaki advertising campaigns.

What accomplishments marked Glenn Murphy's tenure as CEO of Gap Inc. (2007 to 2014)?

Glenn Murphy served as Chairman and CEO from 2007 to 2014. Murphy led Gap Inc. through the Great Recession, acquired Athleta in 2008, established global e-commerce platforms, and launched international franchise expansion across Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

What leadership challenges occurred during Art Peck and Sonia Syngal's CEO tenures?

Art Peck (CEO from 2015 to 2019) focused on digital supply chain investments. Sonia Syngal (CEO from 2020 to 2022, former Old Navy head) steered Gap through the initial COVID-19 pandemic and launched the Yeezy Gap partnership before departing amid supply chain and inventory headwinds.

When did Richard Dickson become CEO of The Gap, Inc. and what is his background?

Richard Dickson was appointed President and CEO of The Gap, Inc. in August 2023. Dickson previously served as President and COO of Mattel, where he led the historic global renaissance of the Barbie franchise, bringing high-quality brand reinvigoration and merchandising expertise.

What strategic priorities has CEO Richard Dickson established for Gap Inc.?

CEO Richard Dickson established four core priorities: financial and operational rigor, reigniting brand heat and cultural relevance across all four banners, strengthening the operating platform, and building a high-performance winning culture.

Who is Zac Posen and what executive creative role was he appointed to in 2024?

In February 2024, CEO Richard Dickson appointed renowned American fashion designer Zac Posen as Executive Vice President and Creative Director of Gap Inc., and Chief Creative Officer of Old Navy, leading product aesthetics, design elevation, and cultural storytelling.

What corporate governance and board leadership structure exists at Gap Inc.?

The Gap, Inc. is governed by an independent Board of Directors chaired by veteran retail executive Bob Martin, featuring representatives of the founding Fisher family alongside independent corporate leaders in technology, media, and consumer finance.

Who is the CEO of Gap?

Richard Dickson serves as CEO. He was hired in 2023 (famous for helping revitalize the Barbie brand at Mattel) to aggressively rescue the company. Historically, the most legendary CEO was Mickey Drexler, who ran the company in the 1990s, famously fired Levi's, designed Gap's own clothes, and turned the brand into a massive global pop-culture phenomenon.

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Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.