“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

about

Ian Alden Russell is an executive with 15+ years’ experience combining business strategy with cultural intelligence and intuition to ignite vision, transform organizations, drive innovation and elevate business impact. With a global career 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 guide leaders and teams to ask "what if?" with courage, "how might we?" with clarity and say "let’s make it happen" with conviction—aligning people, purpose and profitability to turn vision into growth.

Ian’s recent 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 opening of the House of Wisdom (Sharjah), 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.

Russell holds a Ph.D. (History) and B.A. (Archaeology) from Trinity College Dublin. He has authored 4 books and over 20 articles and has 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.

leadership values & expertise

Global Changemaker & Strategic Growth Leader

• 15+ years of experience driving business development, creative entrepreneurship and branding across continents.

• Specialized in long-term strategies that align corporate goals with cultural change and business growth.

Visionary Problem-Solving & Innovation

• Leverages deep cultural insight, creativity and strategic foresight to identify trends and inform high-impact decisions.

• Skilled at turning complex challenges into strategic opportunities through a blend of empathy, analysis and innovation.

Market Expansion & Revenue Growth

• Unlocks new business opportunities through strategic partnerships, deep consumer insights and global brand positioning.

• Proven track record of driving sustainable growth in diverse industries.

Transformational Leadership & Talent Development

• Empowers teams and executives to adapt to change, build resilience and lead with confidence.

• Fosters a culture of trust, collaboration and innovation to drive organizational success.

Brand & Organizational Innovation

• Creative strategist with expertise in designing compelling brand narratives, business models and cultural experiences.

• Experienced in delivering bespoke brand activations, large-scale commissions and mixed-reality performances.

Collaborative & Stakeholder-Focused Leadership

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with community leaders, external partners and internal teams.

• Leads impactful projects that enhance organizational culture, stakeholder engagement and long-term success.

career highlights

  • Drove 50% net sales growth for Coach in China (from $730M to $1.02B) through cultural insights and brand activations for Tapestry Inc.

  • Designed cultural retail business models for $2B portfolio of development projects in Beijing and Shenzhen for K11 Concepts Ltd.

  • Developed and executed the successful installation of a Hyundai commission at Tate Modern, London (FY18-19), attracting ~ 6M visitors.

  • Revamped the Aspen Music Festival & School’s brand identity, contributing to a 50% increase in donor revenue through a modernized and culturally resonant rebranding strategy.

  • Authored 4 books and over 20 articles, solidifying my reputation as a thought leader and sought-after speaker at top institutions across the U.S., Europe and Asia.