The Xero Shoes Team

Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix

Co-Founders

Steven and Lena are husband and wife (I’m assuming you can guess which is which) and life-long entrepreneurs.

Steven is the visionary and marketer for Xero Shoes. He is a Masters All-American sprinter (one of the fastest men over the age of 50 in the US) and former All-American gymnast. He was also a professional stand-up comic, and cognitive psychology researcher, and taught Tai Chi and Zen Archery. Steven is also the creator of Scriptware, the industry-standard word processor for film and TV writers.

Lena is an avid hiker. In her previous life, she created and sold a home mortgage company, and has managed the back end of numerous companies. She’s the glue that keeps Xero Shoes from busting at the proverbial seams as it grows, taking care of all things logistical and numeric.

If you want a good laugh and some insight into Steven and Lena’s relationship, read the story of how Xero Shoes began.

David Barnhill

President and Chief Financial Officer

David is passionate about finance and providing great business intelligence for the organization to grow and thrive. Over the last 15 years, David has been the chief financial executive in multiple industries including property management, software development, and e-commerce. Before that, David obtained his doctorate in Environmental Science. He loves all that Colorado offers, especially the beautiful mountains for hiking, camping and off-roading.

Michael Pao

Chief Product Officer

Michael leads the product team, who expands and innovates Xero Shoes’ “foot first” designs into new categories based on his extensive knowledge and experience in casual and performance footwear. He has worked in footwear marketing and management for global brands including Hummel, Adidas, PUMA, Crocs, Clarks, and most recently, Timberland. Prior to his career in product, Pao played soccer professionally across Asia.

Brighton Wang

Chief Operating Officer

Brighton dedicates his days promoting ideas creation and execution from an exquisitely blended team of uber experienced footwear professionals and super talented & energetic Customer Happiness Teams. At Xero Shoes, we drive an environment where EVERYONE is encouraged and safe to voice their most forward thinking, riskiest ideas.

Brighton then challenges our team to execute those ideas with a disciplined focus and commitment to our Customers, our Team Members, our Partners worldwide, the Communities we are all a part of, and the Environment we are all custodians of.

In his spare time, Brighton enjoys showing off new Xero Shoes product ideas on the nature and urban trails of Colorado adding members to the Xero family one at a time.

Jody Eichler

VP of Digital Marketing

Jody is an experienced online marketing strategist with 20+ years of experience, known for leading effective digital campaigns for top brands including Walmart, IBM, and Southwest. With a focus on emerging trends and data analytics, she excels in optimizing digital campaigns to enhance acquisition and engagement. Proficient in SEO, SEM, social marketing, and digital media optimization, Jody is committed to empowering Xero Shoes to flourish in the ever-evolving digital realm.

John Wadley

VP of Footwear Development

John leads Xero Shoes’ product development staff, liaising with Product Design, Product Management and Operational counterparts to continue innovating the brand’s growing line of barefoot-inspired footwear. He brings extensive knowledge and experience in performance running, trail running, and hiking shoe construction. Prior to Xero Shoes, Wadley played an instrumental role in fueling VF Corp brand, Altra’s, growth over the past 10 years.

Barbara O'Neil

Director of Employee Development

Identifying and developing an individual’s talent and strengths brings passion to the business of people operations. As the HR Manager, Barbara’s experience as an educator, executive director, fundraiser and program director over the last 30 years has found its fit with Xero Shoes. Having the opportunity to work with creative, innovative and collaborative staff across the company, Barbara’s knowledge and passion for emotionally intelligent growth among individuals and teams makes her work at Xero both wonderfully challenging and deeply rewarding. Her favorite performance shoes – The Mesa Trail or the HFS. The pair that she cannot do without—the Phoenix, with a shoe goal of every color and iteration of this style!

Dan Dougherty

EU Managing Director

Dan spearheads Xero Shoes’ European and UK entities, as well as the global wholesale strategy. Headquartered in Prague, Dan works with sales reps and distributors worldwide to bring Xero Shoes to more countries.

Dennis Driscoll

Chief Product Officer

Dennis not only spearheads our new product development but brings invaluable experience to Xero Shoes.

A 35-year industry veteran, Dennis co-founded Avia Athletic Footwear (which sold to Reebok) and, prior to joining Xero Shoes, was Global Design Director for Crocs. He started in footwear in 1978 with Osaga Athletic Footwear, was the Global Business Unit Director of Footwear for Wilson Sporting Goods, spent 7 years at Converse in senior product roles, and worked at Doc Martens Footwear as the Global Director of Products.

Says Dennis of Xero Shoes, “Xero Shoes are genuine, legitimate. We don’t need to create ways to differentiate our product… it actually IS different!”