Hasbro’s longtime chief executive Brian Goldner is taking a medical leave of absence starting immediately, the company said Sunday.
Goldner, 58, has been battling prostate cancer since 2014, he disclosed last year.
In a letter to shareholders at the time, he said, “I will likely temporarily lose my hair for a period of months, and I wanted you to know so you would not be surprised when you see me.”
Taking the reins of the Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based toymaker is independent board member Rich Stoddart, who has served on the board for seven years.
Stoddart is the former president and CEO of marketing firm InnnerWorkings.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to take a medical leave to focus on my health,” Goldner said in a statement. “I feel confident knowing the Company will be in the skilled hands of Rich Stoddart as Interim CEO, our highly experienced management team and the best employees in the business.”
Among the company’s biggest challenges at the moment is handling supply chain disruptions that could limit the number of toys it’s able to sell this holiday season, because of a shortage of truck drivers and bottlenecks at ports on both ends causing huge delays in cargo ships.
Hasbro’s shares slipped by more than 1 percent on Monday to $89.