Kerry Cusack has stepped down as CEO and executive director of period and leakproof apparel brand Modibodi, after more than three years in the role.
Cusack joined the Essity-owned business in July 2023, coming a year after Modibodi founder Kristy Chong sold the brand to the Swedish health company for $140 million in 2022.
During her tenure, Cusack said the business posted two consecutive years of double-digit growth and returned to sustained profitability, despite a difficult retail environment.
She described 2024 as a year of transformation for the brand. Modibodi repositioned itself with creative agency Fabric (TBWA), rebuilt five websites, developed a new product roadmap, tightened its pricing architecture and overhauled its distribution strategy.
“We challenged established thinking and made some bold strategic decisions, often at pace, but we had a clear vision of where we wanted to take Modibodi and a remarkable team determined to make it happen,” Cusack said.
On product, the brand pushed period underwear beyond a purely functional offer and launched period lingerie in Paris. It also struck a global partnership with Puma, which Cusack said introduced period swimwear to the sportswear brand’s range for the first time.
Locally, Modibodi grew its wholesale presence through Rebel Sport, which Cusack credited with introducing the brand to new customers and making period swimwear more accessible.
The business also worked with government departments and community partners, including regional Aboriginal communities in Australia and schools in the UK, to improve access to period underwear.
“Commercial success and purpose aren’t competing priorities. When they’re genuinely aligned, they can be an incredibly powerful combination,” Cusack said.
Cusack thanked Modibodi’s advisory board, which includes Sid Takla, Caitlin Patterson, David Phillips, David Griss and Shlomit Rozenberg, for backing a significant transformation of the business.
Before Modibodi, Cusack was chief commercial officer at Alquemie Group and head of international business at Retail Apparel Group. She also founded swimwear label Bondi Bather.
Cusack said she is now exploring new opportunities. Following her exit, she joined Australian-owned Merino & Co as a non-executive director this month.