The CEO Magazine Australia — November 2017

136 | theceomagazine.com

1981

Ball State University,

Merchandising and Marketing

1981

Moved to New York to work at Donna

Karan International. President (1989–96).

1998

Joined Fifth & Pacific Companies

(Liz Claiborne), becoming Executive VP.

2006

Oversaw an astonishing turnaround as

CEO at struggling luxury label Burberry.

“We had 23 licensees around the world,

each doing something different. We were

selling products such as dog cover-ups

and leashes. One of our highest-profile

stores, on Bond Street in London, had a

whole section of kilts. In luxury, ubiquity

will kill you.”

2013

Burberry shares fell by more than 6% when

she announced a new role at Apple.

“Starbucks figured it out: being a

gathering place. You know, ‘Meet me at

Starbucks.’ I’ll know we’ve done a really

great job if I hear gen Z saying, ‘Meet me

at Apple. Have you seen what’s going on

at Apple today?’”

2017

Under her leadership, Apple is expanding

and seeing 17% growth.

“You don’t overthink it. Do unto others. You just

connect with them and you care, and you do what

you say you’re going to do. Empathy is one of the

greatest creators of energy. Because if you are open

and you care, then they’re not defensive, they open

up and you can dream and you can create.”

BURBERRY’S RISE

AHRENDTS’ SECRET

APPLE’S A-GAME

ANGELA

AHRENDTS

Apple’s Senior Vice-President,

Retail, has a lifelong love of

good design that’s taken her

from textiles to tech. Just don’t

call her a techie.

“I knew I was never the smartest in the

class ... that hurts you and makes you

insecure when you’re working and trying

so hard. The school system doesn’t

necessarily bring out the most in

creativity. I learned in university that I’m

half left-brained and half right-brained.”

Tim Cook calls her “wicked smart”.

LIFE LESSONS

Indiana, US

Age 57

BORN

EDUCATION

CAREER IN BRIEF

The last word