Claire Donnelly’s rise to Chief Operating Officer took nearly two decades, eleven internal restructures, and what current and former employees describe as a “remarkably consistent pattern of upward movement through recently vacated roles.”
You own nine spatulas and all of them are slightly melted. We can help: Stuff to Buy Before Anyone Sees Your Kitchen
The company announced her promotion Tuesday morning, highlighting her as the first woman to reach the position and praising her leadership, discipline, and long-term vision. The announcement included references to breaking barriers, creating pathways, and honoring the women who made the achievement possible.
Several of those women are no longer with the company.
Internal performance documentation shows that Donnelly’s career trajectory closely tracks a series of organizational consolidations in which departments were streamlined, roles were eliminated, and leadership structures were simplified. In most cases, the positions removed sat directly above her.
Today we have been authorized to sell you the "We Demand Your Silence" tee.
The transitions were framed as efficiency measures.
At no point were they challenged.