“Catalyzing Purpose, Vision & Strategy to Drive Ambitious Revenue & Margin Growth”
David Goubert is a transformative executive leader whose distinguished career has spanned more than three decades across some of the world’s most iconic and innovative organizations. From luxury fashion houses and global retail giants to cutting-edge startups and regulated industries, David’s impact has been consistently defined by his rare combination of strategic insight, operational acumen, and unwavering dedication to purpose-driven leadership. With a global mindset shaped by his European roots and professional endeavors across North America, Asia, and Latin America, David brings a uniquely broad and culturally nuanced perspective to every organization he touches.
David’s professional journey began in France, where he earned a master’s degree in engineering and business management from the prestigious École des Mines de Saint-Étienne. Early in his career, he joined Louis Vuitton, where his responsibilities ranged from overseeing supply chain operations in Paris to leading manufacturing operations in the U.S. Through relentless performance and visionary thinking, he earned a promotion to Senior Vice President of the Southern U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America, where he managed a $600M+ retail business and a 600-member workforce. Under his leadership, this region became the best-performing market in the Americas, with consistent top-line growth, successful real estate expansions, and a flourishing leadership pipeline.
David’s next challenge came at LVMH’s Starboard Cruise Services, where he dramatically expanded the company’s international presence. As Senior Vice President, he spearheaded growth in the Asian market—transforming a minimal footprint into a portfolio accounting for 30% of the company’s global business. Through the negotiation of multi-year, $100M+ contracts with major cruise lines in China, Korea, Japan, and Singapore, David not only extended reach but redefined the onboard retail customer experience, championing a customer-centric culture and launching a global training program for over 2,500 employees.
In 2019, David was tapped by Neiman Marcus to revitalize its retail operations as Executive Vice President. He quickly rose to President and Chief Customer Officer, guiding the $4B luxury retailer through one of its most turbulent periods—including bankruptcy and pandemic-related disruptions. His strategic leadership delivered the company’s highest margin, EBITDA, and cash flow performance in a decade, all while competitors faltered. He launched NMConnect, a cutting-edge AI-driven customer engagement tool that generated $100M in digital sales within its first three months. David’s ability to realign teams around a shared vision and customer-first ethos was instrumental in revitalizing company culture and restoring organizational confidence.
In his most recent executive role as CEO and President of Ayr Wellness, a $450M publicly traded multi-state cannabis operator, David again showcased his ability to architect bold transformation. He restructured the organization into strategic regional centers of excellence, optimized operational footprints by rationalizing market presence, and boosted EBITDA by 50%, cementing Ayr’s standing as a top-10 cannabis operator in the U.S. His vision united siloed teams under a shared purpose and brand portfolio, while his transparent communication with investors and Wall Street analysts restored market confidence.
Beyond his corporate accomplishments, David is a sought-after board member and advisor to startup founders and emerging businesses. From 2023 onward, he has provided strategic counsel to the CEOs of five forward-thinking startups in the technology and luxury spaces, covering areas from P&L management and go-to-market strategies to sustainable product innovation. His board service at Fashionphile, a luxury recommerce company partnered with Neiman Marcus, further demonstrates his ability to guide businesses through supply chain complexities and strategic positioning in evolving markets.
David’s expertise spans a remarkable array of competencies, including global market expansion, financial oversight, organizational restructuring, and customer experience transformation. But perhaps his most enduring contribution lies in his commitment to people—developing and mentoring future leaders, cultivating inclusive and purpose-driven cultures, and building collaborative environments that energize teams and drive success.
Fluent in both French and English, David embodies the global executive mindset with a human touch. His ability to integrate data-driven decision-making with emotional intelligence allows him to adapt across diverse industries, geographies, and business models. Whether leading a billion-dollar enterprise or advising a seed-stage startup, he infuses each venture with vision, discipline, and heart.
Outside of the boardroom, David is passionate about wine, hiking, international travel, and poker—a combination that reflects both his refined tastes and competitive spirit. His personal mission to help companies grow, transform, and reach their full potential is more than a career—it is a lifelong calling.
With over 30 years of global leadership, David Goubert continues to shape the future of consumer brands, guiding them to thrive in complex markets by connecting strategy with purpose, people with vision, and performance with integrity.
Character:
David exemplifies integrity and resilience, consistently leading organizations through times of disruption with empathy, transparency, and accountability. His people-first approach fosters cultures where trust, inclusivity, and excellence thrive.
Knowledge:
With deep expertise across retail, luxury, and emerging markets, David brings a nuanced understanding of global business dynamics. His ability to synthesize insights across operations, finance, branding, and innovation drives comprehensive and sustainable strategies.
Strategic:
David’s career is defined by his visionary thinking and execution. From corporate turnarounds to startup scaling, he aligns stakeholders around bold, forward-looking goals and delivers measurable results through disciplined operational leadership.
Communication:
A dynamic communicator, David inspires teams, engages boards, and earns investor confidence through clear, authentic, and strategic messaging. His multilingual and multicultural fluency further enhances his ability to connect across diverse audiences and regions.
