Criteo S.A., a leading commerce media company, has made significant leadership changes with the appointment of Rik van der Kooi as the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Van der Kooi succeeds Rachel Picard, who served as Chairperson for the past five years and will continue her role as a director. In addition, Stefanie Jay has been nominated for election to the Board at Criteo's 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM), further strengthening the company’s governance.

These strategic appointments signal Criteo's commitment to accelerating its leadership in the rapidly growing commerce media sector, enhancing innovation and driving long-term success.

Leadership Changes and Strategy

1. Rik van der Kooi Appointed Chairperson of the Board

Van der Kooi, who has been a member of Criteo's Board since June 2023, brings deep digital advertising expertise to his new role. Prior to his appointment, he served as Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, where he scaled the company's digital advertising business to $10 billion. His leadership experience, particularly in the areas of strategy, sales, and partnerships, is expected to guide Criteo through its next phase of growth in the commerce media industry.

Van der Kooi’s expertise and understanding of Criteo’s business are seen as valuable assets as the company continues to expand its AI-driven platform. In his role as Chairperson, he will play a pivotal role in steering the Board's strategic direction and ensuring continued momentum in the commerce media market.

2. Stefanie Jay Nominated for Board Election

Criteo has also nominated Stefanie Jay for election to the Board at the 2025 AGM. Jay is an accomplished executive with nearly 20 years of experience in omnichannel retail, eCommerce, and digital marketplaces. She most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Business and Strategy Officer at eBay, where she led the company’s growth and innovation efforts.

Jay’s prior experience at Walmart Media Group, where she played a key role in scaling the retail media platform, positions her as a valuable addition to Criteo’s Board. Her expertise in scaling advertising businesses and driving revenue growth will be instrumental in guiding Criteo as it strengthens its position as a leader in the commerce media sector.

3. Hubert de Pesquidoux to Step Down

As part of the Board reshuffle, Hubert de Pesquidoux, who has served as a Board member and Chairperson of the Audit Committee since 2012, has informed the Board that he will not stand for reelection. His contributions to financial stewardship and governance at Criteo have been highly valued, and his decision to step down paves the way for fresh leadership within the Board.

A Stronger, More Dynamic Board for the Future

With the election of Stefanie Jay at the AGM, Criteo’s Board will consist of eight directors, seven of whom are considered independent, with four of those being added in the past five years. These additions reflect Criteo’s ongoing efforts to diversify its leadership and ensure it has the right mix of skills and experience to meet the demands of the evolving commerce media landscape.

Michael Komasinski, CEO of Criteo, expressed his excitement about the new appointments, saying, "Rik's industry expertise and understanding of our company will strengthen our ability to drive continued momentum and capture significant opportunities. Stefanie's experience scaling advertising businesses globally will be invaluable as we build on Criteo’s reputation."

Quotes from Key Leaders

Rik van der Kooi, newly appointed Chairperson of the Board, commented, “I am honored to be appointed Chairperson. Criteo’s leadership in commerce media presents tremendous opportunities for value creation. I look forward to working closely with the team to leverage our AI-driven platform and continue driving innovation.”

Stefanie Jay, nominated Board member, added, “Criteo’s commitment to client-centricity and innovation is impressive, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the company’s continued success.”

Rachel Picard, the outgoing Chairperson, remarked, “Serving as Chair of Criteo’s Board has been a privilege. I am proud of our achievements and the transformation of Criteo into a leader in retail and commerce media. I am confident that Rik’s leadership will continue to drive Criteo’s success.”

Criteo’s recent leadership changes, with Rik van der Kooi as Chairperson and the nomination of Stefanie Jay to the Board, underscore the company's strategic vision to enhance its position in the commerce media sector. These appointments bring fresh perspectives and extensive experience, positioning Criteo for continued growth and innovation.

As the company looks ahead to its 2025 AGM and beyond, the leadership team is poised to drive Criteo’s mission of delivering better commerce outcomes for customers through its AI-driven platform.