Consumer and retail veterans bring complementary strengths to shape Levain’s next era of growth

NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Levain Bakery, the iconic New York bakery that has grown from a single Upper West Side storefront into a national brand, has announced Lorna Sommerville and Taya Stenson Co-Chief Executive Officers, marking a new era of shared leadership for the 30 year-old company.

Together, Sommerville and Stenson have almost a decade of combined experience at Levain and complementary strengths across operations, brand building and commercial strategy. Sommerville has shaped its marketing, innovation and ecommerce strategy, while Stenson has built the operational infrastructure behind the brand’s rapid retail and ecommerce growth. Their partnership combines deep institutional knowledge with the operational rigor and commercial vision to scale Levain while building on the brand that made it iconic.

“Levain has always been about people – our bakers, team members and customers who’ve supported us since we opened on the Upper West Side more than 30 years ago,” said Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald, Co-Founders of Levain Bakery. “From the moment Taya and Lorna joined us, we could feel how much they understood that. We’re proud that two extraordinary women are leading Levain into its next chapter, with all the care and heart they’ve poured into this brand. It gives us total confidence in where Levain is headed next.”

Across more than two decades in brand building, Sommerville has helped shape and scale brands at The Coca-Cola Company, Harry’s and Function of Beauty, with a track record of helping founder-built businesses become category leaders. Stenson spent nearly two decades at Starbucks, where she rose from Barista to Managing Director of the Roastery & Reserve stores and led teams across the U.S., Wales, Italy, China and Japan.

“I have immense respect for all that Pam and Connie have built,” said Sommerville. “Taya and I bring different strengths, but we share a deep respect for Levain’s legacy and what makes this brand special. I’m so excited to build on that legacy together.”

“We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this team and to be trusted to lead Levain moving forward,” said Stenson. “Our partnership is built on shared values and complementary strengths, and I’m excited to keep our team members and customers at the heart of Levain’s growth.”

As Levain thoughtfully expands its national presence, Sommerville and Stenson’s partnership underscores the company’s commitment to growing with intention while preserving the craftsmanship, quality, and hospitality that have inspired a devoted following. Over the course of their time, Levain has quadrupled topline sales, growing from just a few bakeries concentrated in the Northeast to 19 locations nationwide, with two additional bakeries in development, all while building an e-commerce business that now represents 25% of sales. That growth has been fueled by thoughtful innovation alongside continued investment in the offerings that have defined Levain from the beginning. Seasonal cookies, for example, now account for 15% to 20% of cookie sales depending on the time of year, while the iconic Chocolate Chip Walnut cookie and assortment of breads and pastries — made fresh by hand in each bakery every day — remain at the heart of the Levain experience.

ABOUT LEVAIN BAKERY
Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald founded Levain Bakery – pronounced luh.VEN – in 1995 as a small bread shop on the Upper West Side of New York City. After training for triathlons, the founders began baking six-ounce cookies with simple, high-quality ingredients as the ultimate post-race treat. Once they perfected the recipe, the cookie flew off the bakery shelves. More than 30 years later, with 19 bakery locations and continued expansion across the country, Levain is often lauded as the home of the world’s best cookie. For more information, visit www.levainbakery.com or follow @levainbakery.

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SOURCE Levain Bakery