Founder and CEO of Drexler Ventures, LLC
Mickey Drexler: Biography at a Glance
- Mickey Drexler was the Chairman & CEO of J. Crew Group, Inc. for 14 years, during that time he accelerated the business' growth to become one of the world's leading global speciality fashion brands
- Formerly the President and CEO of Gap, Inc., where he led the company's growth from $400 million to $14 billion in sales
- Also served as President and CEO of Ann Taylor, and as a Director of Apple Inc.
- Currently a Director and investor in Warby Parker, and Chairman of the Board and investor at athleisure brand, Outdoor Voices
- Launched his own consulting and investing company Drexler Ventures, LLC to advise and invest in young companies on the rise
Media
Videos
Biography
Millard “Mickey” Drexler was Chairman & CEO of J.Crew Group, Inc. from 2003 until 2017. Under his leadership, J.Crew grew into a leading global specialty fashion brand – and completely disrupting the traditional retail industry along the way. Most recently, Mr. Drexler stepped up to Chairman of the Board, leaving his position as CEO after fourteen years.
Prior to joining J.Crew, Mr. Drexler spent eighteen years at Gap, Inc. where he was named President in 1987 and CEO in 1995. While there, the company grew from $400 million to $14 billion dollars in sales. At Gap, he founded Old Navy and started Gap Kids.
In 2006, he founded Madewell, a womens’ collection rooted in premium denim. Mr. Drexler also served as President, and then CEO, of Ann Taylor from 1980-1983. He also serves as a Director and investor in Warby Parker, and was a Director of Apple Inc. from 1999 to until 2015.
Mr. Drexler since launched his own consulting and investing company Drexler Ventures, LLC. In July 2017, he was named Chairman of the Board and an investor at athleisure brand, Outdoor Voices.
Topics
Innovation and Leadership
Former Gap and J. Crew CEO Mickey Drexler, speaking from over three decades of business experience, discusses business innovation. Drexler admits the "textbook" topic can be stuffy - how does innovation increase growth? How do you manage innovation? But he turns the discussion toward why innovation matters, how to surf and survive disruption and why great leaders focus on their people and their culture.
