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The Home Depot recently announced Franziska “Fran” Bell has been named executive vice president (EVP) and chief technology officer (CTO), effective April 6, 2026. As CTO, she will lead the strategy, development and alignment of technology, product management, data and artificial intelligence (AI) for The Home Depot.
“The Home Depot is a project retailer, and customers engage with us across multiple touch points—whether that’s online, in our aisles or increasingly, with AI,” says Ted Decker, Home Depot chair, president and CEO. “Fran is a respected leader in data science and AI, and she understands the power of technology to improve the customer experience. Her expertise will be invaluable as we invest to remove friction and make home improvement seamless for our associates and customers.”
Before joining Home Depot, Bell most recently worked as chief data, AI and analytics officer for Ford Motor Company. She also served as senior vice president of digital technology at BP and held executive roles at Uber and Toyota.
“I’ve always believed that the most powerful technology is the kind you don’t notice, because it’s busy behind the scenes making your life easier,” Bell says. “Joining a customer-first brand like The Home Depot is an incredible opportunity to put technology and AI to work where it matters most—helping homeowners confidently take on their first renovations or giving Pro contractors the digital tools they need to grow their businesses. I look forward to working with this incredible team to build even smarter ways to get the job done.”
