Legal Powerhouse Colin Stretch Joins Etsy as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary

Colin Stretch is stepping into a pivotal role at Etsy, Inc., bringing over two decades of legal and corporate governance expertise to the Brooklyn-based online marketplace. The appointment takes effect on February 14, 2023, with Stretch serving as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary while reporting directly to CEO Josh Silverman.

A Distinguished Legal Career

Before joining Etsy, Stretch accumulated considerable experience across the public and private sectors. He spent six years as General Counsel of Meta (formerly Facebook) from 2013 to 2019, where he oversaw the tech giant’s legal, compliance, and corporate legal operations during a period of significant growth and regulatory scrutiny. His earlier career included a prestigious clerkship with Justice Stephen G. Breyer at the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge Laurence H. Silberman at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He also served in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice as part of the Honors Program. Most recently, Stretch held an Of Counsel position at Latham & Watkins and served as Leader-in-Residence at Columbia University Law School’s Reuben Mark Initiative for Organizational Character & Leadership.

Why Stretch Matters for Etsy

Etsy CEO Josh Silverman expressed enthusiasm about the addition, noting that Stretch’s track record aligns with Etsy’s commitment to maintaining a secure and trusted marketplace. “His extensive experience will be critical to Etsy’s efforts to ensure we remain a safe and trusted marketplace, broaden our reach across all our brands, and advocate for microbusinesses around the world,” Silverman stated.

Stretch reciprocated the sentiment, emphasizing alignment with Etsy’s core mission. “Etsy has a strong reputation as not only a prospering business, but as a leader in the advocacy space. I’m honored and excited to be part of Etsy’s mission to keep commerce human by enabling creative entrepreneurs around the world to turn their passions into thriving businesses,” he commented.

Strategic Implications

Stretch’s appointment reflects Etsy’s focus on strengthening its legal and compliance infrastructure. Operating multiple marketplaces—including Etsy.com, Depop, Reverb, and Elo7—the company faces complex regulatory and operational challenges across different geographies and market segments. Stretch’s combined experience in tech regulation, corporate governance, and marketplace operations positions him to address these multifaceted demands. Based at Etsy’s Brooklyn headquarters, he joins the company’s executive leadership team during a period requiring robust legal and strategic oversight.