February 6, 2025
Corporates

Ralph Lauren Announces Leadership Changes In North America

Ralph Lauren Corporation has announced the appointment of Bob Ranftl as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective March 30, 2025. Ranftl will succeed Jane Nielsen, whose planned departure is part of a multi-year strategic succession plan. Ranftl, who has been with Ralph Lauren since 2015, currently serves as Regional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for North America and will be succeeded in this role by Mercedes Abramo, who will join the company on March 1, 2025.

Patrice Louvet, President and CEO of Ralph Lauren Corporation, stated, “With his global Ralph Lauren experience, extensive operational background and deep love for our brand, Bob is uniquely qualified to serve as our next COO after laying strong foundations that pivoted North America to growth.”

Ranftl has held successive leadership roles at Ralph Lauren across multiple regions, including as COO of North America, Asia Pacific and EMEA. In his most recent role as Regional CEO for North America, he spearheaded strategic expansion across key cities, led the direct-to-consumer entry into Canada, and repositioned wholesale strategies, placing the region on a growth trajectory. As COO, Ranftl will oversee IT, logistics, real estate, architecture, store design and the company’s licensing organization, playing a key role in supporting continued growth across regions.

Ranftl said, “Over the past 10 years, it has been a privilege to work with our teams to bring Ralph’s vision to life for consumers across different markets. The North America team has set the foundation for the region’s bright future, and under Mercedes’s leadership, I look forward to driving the operational excellence needed to ensure long-term success.”

Mercedes Abramo joins Ralph Lauren from Cartier S.A., where she most recently served as Deputy Chief Commercial Officer. She has an extensive retail leadership career, including serving as President and CEO of Cartier North America. Abramo returns to New York, where her career began, starting as Director of Cartier’s Fifth Avenue flagship.

“As we move toward long-term sustainable growth in North America, Mercedes’s proven luxury retail leadership, her deep understanding of the market and her focus on people make her a natural choice as our next Regional CEO for North America. Ralph and I look forward to her leadership and partnership,” stated Patrice Louvet.

Abramo said, “I am deeply inspired by brands that have rich history and heritage, and that create lifelong emotional connections with their consumers while maintaining innovation and relevance. Ralph Lauren has consistently achieved this and defined American luxury. The North American market is incredibly diverse and full of opportunity, and I am excited to join the team at such an exciting time in the company’s history and help lead the region’s next stage of growth.”

Ranftl and Abramo will serve as members of Ralph Lauren’s enterprise leadership team, reporting directly to Patrice Louvet.

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