Staffing

Shake Shack hires CGO, CCO

Shake Shack Inc. has hired Steph So as chief growth officer and Luke DeRouen as chief communications officer. Photo: Shake Shack

January 30, 2025

Shake Shack Inc. has hired Steph So as chief growth officer and Luke DeRouen as chief communications officer. Both will report to CEO Rob Lynch. Shake Shack's Chief Marketing Officer Jay Livingston will move into a special projects role before leaving the organization at the end of March to pursue opportunities, according to a company press release.

Steph So, formerly SVP of Digital Experience at Shake Shack, will lead the company's digital marketing and experience, promotional strategy, consumer analytics and culinary innovation. Her previous experience includes serving as CMO at Extend Fertility and Cover FX and leadership roles at Ralph Lauren, Shopbop and The Estée Lauder Companies.

DeRouen, who will oversee all brand strategy, national and regional marketing and corporate and external communications for Shake Shack, most recently served as EVP at Zeno Group and was CMO at Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux. He has also held leadership positions at Inspire Brands.

"Shake Shack is at a pivotal moment of growth and evolution, and we're thrilled to welcome both Steph and Luke to our leadership team," Lynch said in the release. "Their expertise and passion for brand-building will be instrumental in shaping our future, deepening our guest connections, and expanding Shake Shack's footprint while staying true to our roots of exceptional quality and hospitality.

"I'd also like to thank Jay Livingston for his leadership and contributions in growing the Shake Shack brand over the past six years. He's built an incredible team across a broad range of functions that drive our business."

In addition, Nancy Combs has been appointed as SVP of Culinary and Calendar Innovation, reporting to So.