CSB alumna resigns from CEO position at Best Buy
CSB alumna of 1997, Corie Barry, announced her resignation from her role as CEO of Best Buy effective this fall. This change affects Best Buy as well as CSB+SJU's long-standing relationship with the company, including the use of its headquarters for admissions events.
Corie Barry, a 1997 CSB graduate, has announced she will be stepping down from her role as the CEO of Best Buy this fall, marking the end of a historic tenure as the company’s first female chief executive.
This comes on the heels of an increase in sales pressure post-pandemic.
She will be succeeded by Jason Bonfig, who is currently acting as chief customer, product and fulfillment officer.
Barry joined Best Buy in 1999 and steadily rose through the company’s ranks, holding key roles in operations and finance before becoming CEO.
According to the Star Tribune, her leadership journey reflects decades of experience within the company.
She is also one out of 10 women leading a public company in Minnesota, according to an annual census by St. Catherine University.
This distinction highlights both her individual accomplishments and broader lack of female representation in top executive roles.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Barry has remained closely connected to the College of
St. Benedict and St. John’s University.
This past year, she returned to speak at the reception for Accepted Students Day, which has been hosted at the Best Buy’s headquarters in the Twin Cities in years past.
The event is held for prospective students and their families from the metro area and gives them a chance to meet with representatives from different disciplines and academic departments.
She appeared alongside CSB+SJU President Brian Bruess for conversations with the students and families that evening.
“It is an opportunity to showcase our community and welcome these students and their families,” said Erin Pearson, CSB+SJU’s director of admissions. “The evening presents opportunities to hear from a student panel and then included an ‘ask me anything’ session between President Brian Bruess and CEO Corie Barry.”
The event also features an informational component, allowing attendees to connect with faculty, staff, current students and alumni.
These interactions aim to give prospective students a better understanding of campus life, academic programs and the broader CSB+SJU network.
CSB+SJU’s partnership with Best Buy remains strong, and despite Barry’s announcement, admissions plans to continue looking into opportunities to host a Best Buy reception with their partners.
“Ms. Barry is a strong advocate for our schools, and we will continue to leverage her story and passion as she deems appropriate going forward,” Pearson said.
