Seasoned industry leader and former WR Board Chair to guide organization through transitional period
Olympia, WA — The Washington Retail Association (WR) announced the appointment of Alesha Shemwell as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday, December 15, 2025. Shemwell, a longtime industry leader and the Immediate Past Chair of the WR Board of Directors, steps into the role following the retirement of President & CEO Renée Sunde, who concluded her tenure on December 10, 2025.
Shemwell brings more than two decades of executive retail leadership experience and a deep understanding of WR’s mission, members, and policy priorities. Her extensive history with the organization, including her service as Board Chair and her active engagement in state and federal retail advocacy, positions her to provide continuity and stability during this transition period.
WR Board Chair Opio Dupree said, “Alesha has been a respected leader within WR for many years and is uniquely prepared to step into this role. Her deep familiarity with our industry, her longstanding relationships with member companies, and her commitment to retail advocacy will ensure strong and steady leadership as we move ahead.”
Shemwell, who will serve as a contract executive during this transition, brings more than two decades of executive retail leadership experience. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Macerich, Rouse/Brookfield Properties, Steadfast Companies, and Kemper Development Company, where she previously served as Senior Vice President of Leasing for The Bellevue Collection. Across these roles, she led regional leasing teams, shaped merchandising and redevelopment strategies, and represented the retail sector on major public policy issues, including organized retail crime and pandemic-response efforts.
In addition to her tenure as Immediate Past President of the Washington Retail Association, Shemwell has held numerous regional and national leadership posts with the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), served on multiple community and arts advisory boards, and actively represented retailers in local, state, and federal governmental affairs.
Interim CEO Alesha Shemwell said, “Washington’s retail sector is vital to our communities and our economy, and I’m honored to support WR during this period of transition. It’s a privilege to step into this role and support the dedicated WR team, our Board, and our members as we continue advancing the issues that matter most to retailers across our state.”
The WR Board of Directors will outline next steps for the CEO search process in the coming months. In the interim, Shemwell will focus on supporting staff, maintaining operational continuity, and advancing WR’s policy, membership, and communications priorities.
