Latest news with #Leite
San Francisco Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Valkyries hold off Sparks to improve to 2-1 led by French rookies Leite, Salaün
LOS ANGLES — Head coach Natalie Nakase said before Friday's game that the Golden State Valkyries offense was built to be 'next person up' every game. Without Tiffany Hayes, that was Carla Leite and Janelle Salaün. In the 82-73 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, the Valkyries used 30 bench points, breakout games from French rookies Leite (19 points, plus-17 in 23 minutes) and Salaün (18 points, eight rebounds) and an explosive second quarter while Hayes was sidelined with a nose injury she suffered in Wednesday's win over Washington. After the Valkyries allowed Los Angeles guard Kelsey Plum to score 37 in their season-opening loss a week ago, they held her to 16 points on 6-for-18 shooting. Golden State (2-1) led by as many as 20 but had to stave off a late comeback bid as it scored just 12 in the fourth quarter. The expansion team came away with its first road win, and first winning streak, in franchise history. The Sparks (1-2) went on a 19-2 run in the first quarter fueled by three 3-pointers from Odyssey Sims but the Valkyries responded with a 35-8 tear that stretched into the second quarter, where Los Angeles did not score for the first 7:24 and totaled nine points in the frame. The Valkyries led 49-35 at halftime. After a relatively clean first half of just five turnovers, the Valkyries gave the ball away 12 times in the second half after the Sparks defense started aggressively pressing the Golden State ballhandlers. The Valkyries made just two baskets in the fourth, but Sparks' turnovers proved costly too with 18 total. Five of those came from Veronica Burton steals, a career-high. Valkyries 82, Sparks 73 Percentages: FG .415, FT .905. 3-Point Goals: 9-29, .310 (Salaün 4-8, Leite 2-2, Martin 2-2, Thornton 1-9, Fágbénlé 0-1, Talbot 0-1, Burton 0-2, Vanloo 0-4). Team Rebounds: 9. Team Turnovers: 2. Blocked Shots: 4 (Fágbénlé, Linskens, Salaün, Thornton). Turnovers: 15 (Thornton 5, Burton 2, Fágbénlé 2, Salaün 2, Leite, Martin, Talbot, Vanloo). Steals: 13 (Burton 5, Thornton 4, Salaün 2, Leite, Talbot). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .387, FT .727. 3-Point Goals: 9-26, .346 (Sims 3-6, Hamby 2-4, Plum 2-10, Allemand 1-2, Barker 1-4). Team Rebounds: 10. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 4 (Hamby 3, Cannon). Turnovers: 17 (Hamby 4, Allemand 3, Plum 3, Barker 2, King 2, Russell, Sims, Stevens). Steals: 9 (Plum 4, Barker 2, Cannon, Hamby, King). Technical Fouls: None. A_10,857 (18,997). T_2:00. A game after the Valkyries started 0-for-17 from deep, Salaün knocked down a trey on the first possession, setting the tone for a far better shooting performance. Leite added nine points in the third quarter as the Valkyries expanded their lead to 20. Kate Martin, who had been scoreless through two games, knocked down two 3-pointers and the Valkyries shot 9-for-29 from range overall. Kayla Thornton picked up a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Dearica Hamby led the Sparks with 25 points. The Valkyries will head to Brooklyn for two games against the New York Liberty next week.
Los Angeles Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Kingswood Capital Management and Performance Investment Partners Complete Acquisition of The Vitamin Shoppe
Los Angeles-based Kingswood Capital Management, LP and Performance Investment Partners, LLC (PIP), also based in Los Angeles, have announced they have completed the acquisition of The Vitamin Shoppe, a leading pure-play omnichannel retailer of vitamins and nutritional supplements, from Franchise Group, Inc. As part of the transaction, Sharon Leite, who previously served as chief executive officer of The Vitamin Shoppe from 2018 to 2023, has returned to lead the company as its CEO. The rest of the executive leadership team remains in place. 'After an incredibly rewarding and successful four and a half years in the business, I am thrilled to return to The Vitamin Shoppe,' said Leite. 'With the invaluable support of our partners at Kingswood and PIP – leaders in building brands and driving growth in omnichannel retail – we are primed for an exciting new era of expansion. I look forward to collaborating with the board, management team, vendor partners and our dedicated Health Enthusiasts as we build a world-class health and wellness platform that delivers an unparalleled experience to our customers.' The Vitamin Shoppe is a global, omnichannel retail and wellness lifestyle company with the mission of providing customers with the most trusted products, guidance and services to support them on their journeys of lifelong wellness. The company offers a comprehensive assortment of nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, sports nutrition, specialty supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies and green living products. In addition to carrying products from approximately 700 national brand partners, The Vitamin Shoppe offers products from its owned brands, including: The Vitamin Shoppe, Vthrive The Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech, BodyTech Elite, plnt, ProBioCare, and True Athlete. The company conducts business through over 635 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements banners and via its website. Upon closing, Alex Smith and Beth Kaplan joined Leite and representatives from Kingswood and PIP on the company's board. Smith is a Kingswood operating partner and the current executive chairman of Kingswood portfolio company, World Market. Previously, he served as executive chairman and then chairman of The Vitamin Shoppe, served as CEO of Pier 1 Imports, and held numerous senior management positions at The TJX Companies. Kaplan is an experienced operator, advisor and investor in the consumer sector. Most recently, she was the president and chief operating officer of Rent The Runway. Previously, she served as president, chief merchandising and marketing officer, and director of General Nutrition Centers (GNC). Before joining GNC, she held numerous leadership positions within Bath & Body Works, Rite Aid Drugstores and Procter & Gamble. Kingswood partner Michael Niegsch and PIP partner Mark Genender commented, 'We are thrilled to be able to partner with Sharon, Alex, Beth and the entire team at The Vitamin Shoppe. We look forward to investing in a variety of brand-building strategies, including further supporting the Health Enthusiasts in running great stores, enhancing the company's digital marketing and e-commerce capabilities, innovating the private brand portfolio, and working with existing and emerging third-party brands to be the best distribution partner in the market.' Jefferies LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Kingswood and PIP, and McDermott Will & Emery LLP and Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel. Ducera Partners LLC served as financial advisor, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to FRG. Information was sourced from Businesswire. To learn more, contact media@
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sharon Leite Returns to The Vitamin Shoppe as CEO Again
Sharon Leite is embarking on a second tour of duty at The Vitamin Shoppe. Kingswood Capital Management and Performance Investment Partners, the private equity firms that just bought The Vitamin Shoppe, announced Leite's return to the retailer as its chief executive officer on Tuesday. Leite served as The Vitamin Shoppe's CEO from 2018 to 2023, but left to become CEO of Ideal Image, a chain of med spas, and later CEO of Omni Retail Enterprises, the parent company of brands operating e-commerce including Pier 1 Imports and More from WWD The Future of Beauty Is All About Wellness Bobbi Brown, Lauren Bush Lauren and More Honored at Einstein College of Medicine Spirit of Achievement Luncheon Twelve Years After Hitting the Market, Men's Grooming Brand Harry's Is Launching a New Razor The new owners indicated that the rest of the executive leadership team at The Vitamin Shoppe — which includes the president of the company Muriel Gonzalez — remains in place. The private equity firms bought The Vitamin Shoppe from the Franchise Group Inc. for an undisclosed price. The deal was completed this month. 'With the invaluable support of our partners at Kingswood and PIP — leaders in building brands and driving growth in omnichannel retail — we are primed for an exciting new era of expansion,' Leite said in a statement. 'I look forward to collaborating with the board, the management team, vendor partners and our dedicated 'health enthusiasts' as we build a world-class health and wellness platform that delivers an unparalleled experience to our customers.' The partners said they will be investing in a variety of brand-building strategies, including further supporting the health enthusiasts in running The Vitamin Shoppe stores, enhancing the company's digital marketing and e-commerce capabilities, innovating the private brand portfolio, and working with existing and emerging third-party brands 'to be the best distribution partner in the market.' During her first tour, Leite launched a new, more modern and easier to shop store format, accelerated the digital side of the business, expanded private label offerings, grew third-party brand partnerships and the Healthy Awards loyalty program, and initiated international expansion with Vietnam. She is succeeding Lee Wright as CEO. It's unusual for a CEO to leave a retailer and then come back years later, though the late Myron Ullman 3rd had two stints as CEO of JCPenney, and Howard Schultz had two stints as CEO at Starbucks. Also, Bob Iger is currently in his second tour of duty as CEO of Disney. With the acquisition just finalized Monday, The Vitamin Shoppe board has been reorganized with new members, including Leite as well as Alex Smith and Beth Kaplan and representatives from Kingswood and PIP. Smith is a Kingswood operating partner and the current executive chairman of World Market, which is part of the Kingswood portfolio. Previously, Smith was executive chairman and then chairman of The Vitamin Shoppe, CEO of Pier 1 Imports, and earlier, she held senior management positions at The TJX Companies. Kaplan was president and chief operating officer of Rent the Runway. Earlier, she served as president, chief merchandising and marketing officer, and director of General Nutrition Centers. Before that, she held leadership positions at Bath & Body Works, Rite Aid Drugstores and Procter & Gamble. The Secaucus, N.J.-based The Vitamin Shoppe sells nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, sports nutrition, specialty supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies, and green living products. Best of WWD Macy's Is Closing 66 Stores in 2025 — Here's the List, Live Updates Inside the Demise of Lord & Taylor COVID-19 Spikes Elevate Retail Concerns
San Francisco Chronicle
10-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
For Valkyries' Carla Leite, country, league and language are all new
When Carla Leite was drafted ninth overall by Dallas in 2024, she didn't feel ready for the WNBA's pace or for representing a team outside of France for the first time. But in her first WNBA action, in the Golden State Valkyries' preseason opener Tuesday, she looked anything but cautious. The 5-foot-9 Leite scored four points and dished out three assists in just under 16 minutes. While she made a few rookie mistakes, she also displayed the kind of offensive spark as a driver to the hoop that the Valkyries want. After selecting Leite in December's expansion draft, her commitment to playing in the U.S. had been uncertain. But once she confirmed she would join the team, the Valkyries began planning her long-term future with the club. 'Carla is fearless,' said head coach Natalie Nakase. 'Anytime she sees a (shooting) lane, she just goes. That's hard, because she's small, but she has that fearless mindset and I admire that.' Leite might be the Valkyries' biggest wild card. If the 21-year-old point guard lives up to her potential, she could eventually become a starter and one of the team's most valuable playmakers. Her defense showed some vulnerabilities when she came off the bench as the second point guard on Tuesday, and she committed three turnovers, not uncommon for a rookie. She said she wants to be more physical and 'use my body on the court more,' which she thinks is the toughest adjustment to the WNBA level so far. 'It's complicated because it's my first time playing in a foreign place,' Leite, 21, told the Chronicle on Friday. 'I have just (played) in France. So I think I need to adapt myself. We have a nice group, it's a safe place. The girls have helped me a lot, and I am grateful for that.' Off the court, Leite is still finding her footing in a new country with a new language. Still learning English, she's hesitant to speak it. She's had help from Belgian point guard Julie Vanloo – who speaks four languages, including French – and who has played against Leite in Europe over the past few seasons. That includes when Leite won EuroCup Women Finals MVP after leading Villeneuve d'Ascq LM to the 2024–25 championship. 'She's an amazing player,' Vanloo said. 'She's young, but she already has so much experience. She's playing already in such a mature way, because she's been playing in France in a very good league. She won the EuroCup. Those are big games. Those were games with a lot of stress. Carla's a great player. She's shifty, she's quick, she's fearless on the court.' With Vanloo and fourth-year player Veronica Burton, the Valkyries have other options at the point while Leite adjusts. Vanloo is a strong facilitator while Burton was a defensive specialist with Connecticut before the Valkyries took her in the expansion draft. As one of the few rookies on the roster, Leite has a three-year deal with the Valkyries. Every player other than Leite, Kaityln Chen, Laeticia Amihere and Kate Martin are on one-year deals. That means Leite could be one of the Valkyries' few long-term building blocks. 'I have never played in front of a lot of (people) like that,' Leite said of the preseason game. 'I was shocked a little bit, but I know I have to just play my game. I know I can do a lot on the fast break and bring a lot of energy.' Tuesday's showing was the first glimpse of the style Leite wants to bring. On an expansion team with room to grow, she has an opportunity to break out as one of the Valkyries' key players this season. 'I am ready now,' Leite said. 'I love this experience, I want to be in it 100%. Being here is my goal.'
San Francisco Chronicle
09-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Valkyries point guard Julie Vanloo has become key as a translator for teammates
Julie Vanloo leaned to her right while Carla Leite spoke in her ear. It was the first time that Leite, the Golden State Valkyries' 21-year-old rookie point guard, was talking to the media and she was still learning English. Vanloo sat between Leite and Italian forward Cecilia Zandalasini and listened as Leite explained how she wanted to answer a question in French. 'She's young, she showed that she controlled her maturity and she knew she had to step up, and she already had a lot of responsibility,' Vanloo said for Leite about her performance in Tuesday's preseason game. 'And then in stressful situations, you know, she had to stay calm, this was a new situation to her.' She paused, then added, 'I also think she did that very well.' The 32-year-old Belgian point guard has become the Valkyries' impromptu team translator throughout training camp. With players from six countries — the U.S., France, Australia, Canada, Italy and Belgium — Vanloo's ability to speak four languages has helped bridge the gap between players and even some coaches. The second-year WNBA player can speak Flemish, the version of Dutch spoken in Belgium, along with English, French and Italian. The Valkyries' international flair was on display Tuesday when they fell 83-82 to the Los Angeles Sparks in the preseason opener. Along with minutes from Vanloo and Leite, Belgian center Kyara Linskens led the team with eight rebounds and French guard Migna Toure also made a brief appearance. Vanloo is one of the Valkyries' most important facilitators on the court. She averaged 7.4 assists per game last season while starting 34 contests for the Washington Mystics. Her 30.8 assist percentage was seventh in the WNBA last season. Off the court, she facilitates in a different way. 'For basketball, I was very, very motivated to learn languages,' Vanloo said. 'So definitely it helps to communicate with my teammates. To quickly switch, switch up in my head to speak a different language, because, let's be honest, it's not easy for the other team, if you talk French, they don't understand. So it can help.' The Valkyries' 32-point third-quarter unit Tuesday included two Belgians in Linskens and Vanloo; Leite, who is French, and Americans Kate Martin and Laeticia Amihere. 'I think it is dope,' Amihere said of having multiple languages spoken in the locker room. Outside of Leite, the team's other international players have varying degrees of comfort with English, something that can be especially challenging when working on plays on the court, where Vanloo can translate quickly. The team does not employ a translator. Nakase doesn't speak French, Flemish or Italian. Some assistant coaches dabble in French, but Nakase said they are mostly relying on Vanloo. Vanloo said that growing up, she didn't love school but enjoyed studying different languages because she knew it could one day benefit her as a basketball player, especially if she played internationally. Belgian children start learning songs in English and French at age 6, Vanloo said. When they're 12, students are drilled in both languages, she said. 'It was like six to nine hours per week,' Vanloo said. 'All our (TV) series and even our cartoons are in English. We use subtitles on French, so that's how we actually learn the accent and everything. So that's for all the kids out there, language is important. It's an advantage. I think you are rich when you know multiple languages, because it's just easy to communicate and to create a bond with people.' She knew she wanted to play in the WNBA, where there would be players from different countries, and focused on perfecting both languages and added Italian into the mix. That's come in handy for a Valkyries team that has the second most international players in the league, behind the New York Liberty. 'It's been really key, just the way we can connect that way,' Nakase said. 'Imagine going to another country and you're just, you have no idea (the language). When I played in Germany, I really wasn't understanding. … So it's been nice to have Julie, because she's listening, she's doing extra for a teammate.' Vanloo is expected to be the Valkyries' starting point guard when the regular season begins. Her contributions will be more than just points and assists. 'Julie does such a great job with bringing us all together,' said rookie shooting guard Kaitlyn Chen. 'She always has so much energy, too, and she sort of just uplifts the building.'
