MILAN – Gucci has promoted Susan Chokachi to the role of president and chief executive officer of Gucci America Inc., effective April 1.
Chokachi joined Gucci in 1998, growing within the group to become in 2009 senior vice president, marketing and communications, with a place on Gucci America’s executive management team. She succeeds Christophe de Pous, who left Gucci at the end of March.
“We are fortunate to be able to call upon someone of Susan’s talent and experience to take on the leadership role at Gucci America at this important time,” said Marco Bizzarri, Gucci president and ceo. “With the brand’s new direction now firmly established, we are seeing exciting momentum building behind the brand in North America, and I am confident that Susan and her team will be able to capitalize on this in a market that continues to offer significant growth potential for Gucci.”
The company highlighted Chokachi’s expertise and understanding of the North American region, as well as her contribution to the establishment of Gucci’s philanthropic initiatives, such as the Chime for Change campaign, launched in 2013 to promote the empowerment of women. Chokachi will continue to oversee marketing and communications until a successor is appointed.
A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Chokachi previously worked at Giorgio Armani in San Francisco and New York.