Yehuda Shmidman

Founder, Chairman & CEO WHP Global

Yehuda Shmidman is a veteran of the brand management industry, having successfully deployed more than USD $4 billion 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 hardgoods, with direct leadership over dozens of world-famous brands during his career, including MARTHA STEWART and SNOOPY. 
Yehuda currently serves as Founder, Chairman & CEO of WHP Global, a leading New York based brand management and acquisition firm that he started in 2019 together with Oaktree Capital.  WHP Global is also now backed by Ares, Solus, and BlackRock. WHP Global’s brand portfolio generates over USD $7 billion 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. 

Yehuda 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 Magazine and Crain’s New York both included Yehuda in their prestigious “40 Under 40” lists, and multiple universities – including Columbia University, NYU Stern School of Business and Fordham Law School – featured Yehuda as a guest lecturer to deliver insights into the future of consumer brands and the retail industry.