Dawn M. Zier

Biography

Ms. Dawn M. Zier has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of Nutrisystem, Inc. since November 15, 2012. Ms. Zier served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Direct Holdings U.S. Corp. from June 2009 To October 2009 and again since July 2010. She served as an Executive Vice President at RDA Holding Co. from February 2011 to November 14, 2012 and as its President of International from April 2011 to November 14, 2012. Ms. Zier served as the President of International and Executive Vice President at Reader's Digest Association, Inc. from April 2011 to November 14, 2012 and served as its President of Global Consumer Marketing from June 2008 To October 2009 and also as its President of Europe Operations from November 2, 2009 to April 2011. While at Reader's Digest, Ms. Zier established a consumer-centric and affinity marketing model, developing new product offerings and marketing strategies specifically targeted to the demographics and psychographics of key groups of customers and prospects. She has a strong track record of driving growth across the food affinity and digital channels. As president of the international business, she has been actively building its portfolio of licensing arrangements in countries outside the U.S., while significantly reducing operating costs. She is a respected thought leader in the direct marketing business. She served as the President of North American Consumer Marketing of Reader's Digest Association Inc. from August 15, 2005 to June 2008 and from December 2005 to March 2007, she oversaw Reader's Digest's Canadian subsidiary. She served as Secretary of Direct Marketing Association from October 2012 to October 2014. Ms. Zier served as the President of Consumer Marketing of Reader's Digest Association Inc. since March 21, 2007. Ms. Zier also served on the direct marketing education foundation's board of trustees from October 2010 to October 2012. Ms. Zier served as the President of North American U.S. Books and Home Entertainment at Reader's Digest Association from August 2005 to March 2007. She joined Reader's Digest in February 1992. She served as Vice President of Consumer Marketing, U.S. Magazines from February 2001 to August 2005. She headed Consumer Marketing for the North American division, playing a critical role in ensuring that it takes full advantage of Circulation and Marketing best practices and synergies across all businesses and media. Her responsibilities also includes U.S. Books and Home Entertainment and all North American retail initiatives. She served as Vice President of Circulation Marketing. She served as Marketing Director for the General Books Division of The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Ms. Zier served as General Manager of Circulation with responsibility for the Reading division and Young Families. Before joining The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., she held positions at&T Bell Labs, Chase Manhattan Bank and Prodigy. Ms. Zier has led a successful four-year effort to stabilize the rate base of Reader's Digest magazine and to drive circulation profitability. She helped the magazine to diversify its marketing and phase out of the use of sweepstakes promotions in the United States. Her Marketing Strategies have enhanced the profitability of its Reading Series as well as growth initiatives for the Children's Market. Earlier, she worked at Chase Manhattan Bank in the Credit Card Division and at&T Information Systems. She has been a Director of Direct Marketing Association Inc. since 2008. She has been a Director of Spirit Airlines, Inc. since June 16, 2015 and Nutrisystem, Inc. since November 15, 2012. She served as Co-Chair of the Magazine Director's Advisory Committee for the Audit Bureau of Circulations from 2005 to 2009. Ms. Zier represents Reader's Digest Association Inc. on MPA's Consumer Marketing Steering Committee, ABC's Magazine Director's Advisory Committee, where she serves as a Co-chair and other industry committees. Ms. Zier is a 20-year veteran of Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Ms. Zier holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management, a Masters of Science from MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a Bachelor's of Engineering from SUNY Stony Brook.

Research Interest

Food Processing, Biotechnology, Bioengineering