Yehuda Shmidman is a veteran of the brand management industry, having successfully deployed more than $4B of capital over two decades into acquiring, growing, and monetizing global consumer brands.
 
His experience expanded over time to multiple consumer segments, including fashion, media, celebrity, sports, and hard goods, with direct leadership over dozens of world-famous brands during his career, including Martha Stewart and Snoopy.
 
Mr. Shmidman currently serves as Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of WHP Global, a leading New York-based brand management and acquisition firm that he started in 2019 with Oaktree Capital. WHP Global is also now backed by Ares, Solus, and BlackRock. WHP Global’s brand portfolio generates over $7B in annual retail sales, and includes Vera Wang, rag & bone, Joe's Jeans, Anne Klein, Express, Bonobos, G-STAR, Lotto, Babies“R”Us, and Toys“R”Us.
 
Mr. Shmidman currently sits and has previously served on multiple public and private boards, both commercial and nonprofit. He also angel invests from time to time.
 
Over the years, Fortune and Crain’s New York both included him in their prestigious 40 Under 40 lists, and multiple universities, including Columbia University, New York University Stern School of Business, and Fordham Law School, featured Mr. Shmidman as a guest lecturer to deliver insights into the future of consumer brands and the retail industry.