Joey Zwillinger
Co-founder and former chief executive of Allbirds
Joey Zwillinger is the entrepreneur who co-founded Allbirds with Tim Brown and led it as co-chief executive and then chief executive until March 2024. With a background in renewable materials, he shaped the brand's focus on natural materials and carbon footprint transparency.
| Role | Co-founder and former CEO, Allbirds |
|---|---|
| Co-founder | Tim Brown |
| CEO until | 15 March 2024 |
| Successor | Joe Vernachio |
| IPO | Nasdaq, November 2021 |
Who is Joey Zwillinger?
Joey Zwillinger is the co-founder and former chief executive of Allbirds, the footwear brand known for shoes made from merino wool and other natural materials. He came to the business with a background in renewables, experience that informed the company's emphasis on sustainable inputs and environmental reporting.
Career
Zwillinger partnered with New Zealand footballer Tim Brown, who had been developing the idea of a wool sneaker. Together they launched the Wool Runner in March 2016 from San Francisco. Allbirds grew rapidly through online sales and later its own stores, and became a certified B Corporation. The founding idea was that comfortable everyday shoes could be made from natural materials such as merino wool, and Zwillinger helped turn that idea into a scaled consumer business.
- 2016: Allbirds launches the Wool Runner
- November 2021: leads Allbirds to its Nasdaq listing
- 2023: becomes sole chief executive after Tim Brown moves to chief innovation officer
- 15 March 2024: steps down as chief executive, joining the board as a special adviser; Joe Vernachio succeeds him
His departure as chief executive in March 2024 came as Allbirds was closing stores and seeking to restore growth after several years of declining sales. Vernachio, previously chief operating officer, took over as the company's second new chief executive in under a year.
Influence on the fashion business
Under Zwillinger, Allbirds was one of the most prominent voices for measuring and communicating the environmental footprint of fashion products. It promoted carbon footprint figures on its products. The company also faced scrutiny over some environmental claims. Its 2021 listing valued Allbirds at around four billion dollars, making it a symbol of the direct-to-consumer and sustainability boom.
In April 2026 Allbirds announced the sale of its shoe business and trademarks to American Exchange Group for 39 million dollars, an outcome that trade press described as the founders' exit.
Why it matters
Zwillinger's tenure illustrates both the influence and the commercial limits of sustainability-led brands. Allbirds helped make carbon labelling and natural materials part of mainstream fashion discussion, while its financial difficulties highlight the challenge of turning a strong environmental proposition and digital marketing into lasting, profitable growth.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Joey Zwillinger?
Joey Zwillinger is the co-founder of Allbirds, which he started with Tim Brown. He led the company as co-chief executive and chief executive until March 2024.
Why did Joey Zwillinger step down as Allbirds CEO?
Zwillinger stepped down in March 2024 as Allbirds sought to restore growth after falling sales. He joined the board as a special adviser and was succeeded by chief operating officer Joe Vernachio.