I lead transformation in complex systems where culture, commerce, and technology intersect. Over the past 15+ years, I’ve worked across luxury retail, real estate development, cultural institutions, and venture-backed companies to help organizations modernize, reposition, and grow.

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Selected highlights:

  • Drove 50% net sales growth in Greater China (from $730M to $1.02B) for Coach through culturally driven brand strategy (Tapestry Inc.)

  • Led business modeling and portfolio strategy across $2B+ in mixed-use developments (K11 Concepts, Beijing & Shenzhen)

  • Directed programming and production for $25M+ in institutional assets (Brown University)

  • Developed and executed public programming attracting 6M+ visitors (Hyundai Commission, Tate Modern)

  • Advised early-stage and venture-backed companies on operating strategy, AI integration, and market positioning

Across both enterprise-scale and early-stage environments, my role is consistent: aligning strategy, operating model, and executive narrative so organizations can move with clarity and momentum.

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A man with red hair and beard, wearing a blue shirt and a multicolored tie, is sitting and reading a newspaper against a gray background.

Ian Alden Russell is an executive with two decades of global experience spanning luxury, media, economic development and the creative industries. He specializes in strategic foresight, market innovation and human-centered leadership. He empowers organizations to embrace change, foster collaboration and drive sustainable business growth with confidence and creativity. 

I lead by asking "what if?" with courage, "how might we?" with clarity and saying "let’s make it happen" with conviction to turn vision into growth.

Ian’s experience includes: delivering cultural insights on the Chinese market for Tapestry (New York), operations development for a mixed-reality concert premiering at The Shed (New York), talent retention strategies for regional economic development (Pittsburgh), business models for cultural-retail property developments for K11 Concepts Ltd (Beijing/Hong Kong), exhibition development for the grand opening of the House of Wisdom (Sharjah, U.A.E.), project development for a Hyundai Commission at Tate Modern (London), a creative entrepreneurship programming partnership between Brown University and Berklee College of Music and a cutting-edge exhibition program at Brown University integrating research and education with global contemporary art.

Ian holds a Ph.D. in History (Organizational Behavior and Group Psychology) from Trinity College Dublin. He has authored 4 books and over 20 articles and have held fellowships at Brown University and University of Notre Dame. He has held the posts of Director of Cultural Management and Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lecturer at the Rhode Island School of Design, Curator at Brown University and Assistant Professor at Koç University Istanbul. He also has 10 years’ performing arts experience, touring and recording with award-winning vocal group Anúna.

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“Human-centered leaders weave empathy, intuition and insight into every strategy. They see the spaces between people, cultures and brands as opportunities for growth through business development, market innovation and organizational transformation.”

– Ian Alden Russell