New York, New York, United States
Technology executive with 15+ years leading transformation at the intersection of luxury, retail, AI, and digital. Currently SVP, Global IT at The Row, François is responsible for shaping and enabling the brand’s global technology platforms and services to support its continued growth and evolution in America, Europe, and Asia. His focus is on building systems that are both highly effective and intentionally unobtrusive — technology that is seamless for clients and empowering for employees. Previously, as Chief Information Officer for LVMH Fashion Group Americas, François partnered with brand Presidents across a portfolio of global luxury maisons representing over $1 billion in annual revenue. He led enterprise transformation, finance systems optimization, and supply chain integration across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. Earlier in his career at CHANEL, François spent over a decade in progressive leadership roles, driving more than $90 million in digital revenue through platform development, e-commerce acceleration, and omni-channel innovation. His expertise includes digital and IT transformation, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and organizational change — with a consistent focus on translating complex technology challenges into scalable, business-driven solutions. A dual citizen of the United States and France, François brings a global perspective to technology leadership in dynamic, high-touch environments.
Digital Transformation & Investment ● Create investment proposal and value proposition (€500k fundraising target). ● Develop a digital portal for 300+ clients and employees. ● Implement a single CRM and ERP cloud solution to digitize sales and operational processes.
Digital Strategy ● Increased clients digital engagement by 8% and increased e-commerce revenue by 10% by improving customer experience across chanel.com, digital apps, and stores ● Advised executive leadership on innovative technology and digital vision to drive sales and client engagement ● Led chanel.com and apps feature & services road maps to improve product discovery and drive online conversion for fragrance, beauty, skincare, and eyewear categories Digital Product Leadership ● Introduced new omni-channel services such as Buy-Online Pick-Up In Store, and Chat with Store (30% ACR) ● Harmonized and elevated international client experience by introducing single client profile across the world online and in store ● Launched innovative features such as Virtual Try-On for make-up, eyewear and watches ● Oversaw A/B testing of UX on chanel.com to incrementally optimize user engagement Performance Marketing ● Managed traffic acquisition strategies and roadmaps for affiliates program, SEA, SEO ● Managed direct mail marketing and fragrance & beauty clients segmentation program ● Co-led design and rollout of CHANEL’s global CRM in US region Security & Compliance ● Mitigated and responded to security incidents involving client data and complied with GDPR and CCPA regulations ● Designed and implemented security measures that reduced successful attacks on chanel.com to zero ● Ensured accessibility standards were met on chanel.com and exceed ADA guidelines
Business Relationship Management ● Represented technology in the Fashion Leadership Team, managing relations between the division and IT ● Advocated for Chanel’s 53 US stores in the Technology Leadership Committee to solve their challenges ● Built relationship and earned the trust of the US boutique directors on all technology aspects Service Management ● Led Retail IT services team of 15 members in NY, NJ, and FL with an annual budget of $2 million ● Roll out and support over 30 digital solutions to 1,100 store associates to elevate client experience and increase store efficiency ● Improved service level of Retail Service Desk (6 agents, 1 manager) to 80% FCR by introducing new Service Delivery Manager role, changing agents, and introducing new processes
Group Director Promoted to Head of IT Strategy & Governance Strategic Planning ● Organized and led annual 2-day strategic planning exercise with technology and business teams for over 70 participants ● Led 3 year IT financial plan with CFO, CIO, other IT leaders, and business partners ● Leveraged PMO to exceed company’s objectives by advising CIO on projects’ strategic value Governance ● Managed annual overall priorities and P&L for IT department (up to $50 million) ● Built Indirect Procurement practice for IT department including vendor vetting, price negotiations, contracting process, and checks & balances with vendors ● Prepared and led monthly IT Steering Meetings for Fashion, Fragrance & Beauty, and Watches & Jewelry businesses Agile Transformation ● Coached tech department on agile practices and mindset. Within 12 months business reported a noticeable difference in speed of execution, decreasing average project duration by 30% ● Created community of Change Champions to seed innovations regarding user-centricity, flexibility, and speed ● Introduced solutions for department to enable agile ways-of-working (MS Planner and Teams)
Mission-driven dating website designed to connect the niche of politically minded singles passionate about their views and meet significant others with similar views. ● Built solution for an online dating platform including user journey, mockups, UX and design ● Led with the CMO the marketing strategy and sites launch (10,000 members)