You’d think a career path starting under a Nobel Prize-winning physicist at the U.S. Department of Energy wouldn't lead to selling sofas in Warren, Michigan. But for Rachel Stewart, the transition from clean energy to the helm of a 112-year-old furniture empire wasn't a pivot away from her roots. It was a homecoming.
Rachel Stewart, the current CEO of Gardner White, isn't your average "nepo baby" taking the keys to the family car. She's a fourth-generation leader who spent a decade in the high-stakes world of renewable energy before deciding that the most impactful place she could be was the Detroit metro area. Honestly, her story is less about furniture and more about how you modernize a legacy brand without losing its soul.
Who is Rachel Stewart Gardner White?
Actually, her name is often searched as Rachel Stewart Gardner White, but she is Rachel Tronstein Stewart. She’s the daughter of Barbara and Steven Tronstein, the previous co-CEOs of the company. Gardner White has been around since 1912. It was started by Eugene Clinton White and John G. Gardner. Eventually, Rachel's grandfather, Irwin Kahn, bought the business in the 1950s.
She grew up in the business, sure, but she didn't jump right in.
Instead, she went to the University of Michigan and then the London School of Economics. She spent nearly ten years in Washington D.C., working for the Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. Her goal there? Basically, to make solar energy as cheap as coal. She worked under Steven Chu. If you’re a science nerd, you know that’s a big deal.
From Solar Panels to Sectionals
So, why come back? Why trade the "save the world" vibes of clean energy for mattress sales?
"I really was concerned because I wasn't sure that going back to Detroit... was going to be enough to keep her interested," her mother, Barb Tronstein, once admitted.
It turns out, Rachel Stewart saw the family business as its own kind of laboratory. When she returned in 2012, she didn't just sit in a corner office. She managed warehouse operations and sales. She learned the grit of the logistics side. By the time she became president in 2017, she was already pushing the company into the digital age.
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Why Rachel Stewart Matters to Michigan Business
When Art Van Furniture—the massive regional competitor—imploded into bankruptcy in 2020, Gardner White was standing there ready.
Under Stewart’s leadership, the company didn't just survive the vacuum left by Art Van; it expanded. They took over several former Art Van locations, including the massive headquarters in Warren. It was a bold move during a global pandemic. Most people were hunkering down. She was doubling down.
She's now the first female CEO in the company’s history, taking over officially on April 1, 2024.
The "Nesting" Trend and a New Strategy
The pandemic changed how we see our houses. Suddenly, your living room was your office, your gym, and your theater. Stewart leaned into this "nesting" trend. She realized people weren't just buying a couch; they were buying a lifestyle upgrade.
Here’s what she did differently:
- Sustainability focus: She built a state-of-the-art recycling center in 2014. They now recycle over 4 million pounds of cardboard and plastic annually.
- Tech integration: She pushed for a digital transformation that made shopping online as seamless as walking into a showroom.
- Community presence: Gardner White became the presenting sponsor of America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit. That’s huge for local brand recognition.
What People Get Wrong About the Company
A lot of people think Gardner White is just another big-box store.
It’s actually one of the few large-scale furniture retailers that is still family-owned and operated. Stewart is very vocal about this. She talks about the "family" aspect not just in terms of her relatives, but the 1,000+ employees they have across Michigan.
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She’s also obsessed with the "relational" culture. They have dogs in the office. They know each other's kids. It sounds like a cliché until you realize they’ve been named one of the "Best Places to Work" by Furniture Today for three years running.
The Brad Bailey Addition
When Stewart moved up to CEO in 2024, she didn't just keep things as they were. She brought in Brad Bailey as President. Bailey came from Casper (the mattress company) and had a heavy retail background.
This move showed her maturity as a leader. She knew she needed an industry veteran with a "billion-dollar growth" track record to help her scale the vision. It wasn't about ego; it was about the team.
Navigating the Future of Gardner White
What’s next? Stewart is clear that she’s not interested in "growth for growth's sake."
She’s mentioned in interviews that she prefers "deliberate strategic growth." They have 13 locations now, mostly in Southeast Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Saginaw. While other companies are trying to go national and losing their identity, Stewart seems content to own the Michigan market.
She’s also heavily involved in the Detroit community. She sits on boards like:
- Business Leaders for Michigan
- The Parade Company
- Math Corps
- Detroit Economic Club
She’s not just selling furniture; she’s trying to be part of the "Detroit Comeback" narrative that has been building for a decade.
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Actionable Insights from Rachel Stewart’s Leadership
If you’re looking at Rachel Stewart Gardner White as a model for business, here are the real takeaways:
1. Don't be afraid to leave to lead.
Stewart didn't get her CEO chair by just waiting. She built a separate career, gained outside perspective in a high-pressure government environment, and brought those skills back home.
2. Sustainability is a business plan, not a PR stunt.
The recycling center wasn't just for "green" points. It saves money on waste management and aligns with what modern consumers want.
3. Hire people who are smarter than you.
Bringing in Brad Bailey as President while she took the CEO role was a power move. It allowed her to focus on the long-term vision while he handled the retail mechanics.
4. Local roots are a competitive advantage.
In an era of Amazon and Wayfair, Gardner White wins because they know the Detroit market. They show up at the parade. They support local makers. You can’t "algorithm" that kind of loyalty.
If you’re in Michigan, keep an eye on her. She’s proving that old-school retail doesn't have to be boring—or bankrupt.
To better understand her impact, you can look into the SunShot Initiative history to see her clean-energy roots or follow the Detroit Regional Chamber for her latest economic insights.