Samantika Gokhale
Vice President Global Direct to Consumer & Customer Experience | New York, New York, United States
Professional Overview
Samantika Gokhale is a seasoned retail and ecommerce executive with over 15 years of experience driving digital transformation and enhancing customer experiences for leading global brands. As the Vice President of Global Direct to Consumer & Customer Experience at Coty, she is responsible for spearheading the company's direct-to-consumer strategy, digital marketing initiatives, and delivering exceptional customer journeys across Coty's diverse portfolio of beauty and personal care products.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Vice President of Global Direct to Consumer & Customer Experience at Coty, Samantika oversees the company's direct-to-consumer channels, including ecommerce platforms, mobile apps, and direct-to-consumer marketing. She is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to enhance customer engagement, drive online sales, and deliver seamless omnichannel experiences. Under her leadership, Coty has seen significant growth in its direct-to-consumer business, with improved customer retention, increased average order value, and a stronger brand presence across digital touchpoints.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Samantika held senior digital and ecommerce leadership positions at various renowned retail and fashion brands. As the Divisional Vice President of Digital at Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, she led the development and optimization of the company's ecommerce platform, mobile applications, and digital marketing strategies. Earlier in her career, she served as the Head of Marketing at Grailed, a leading online marketplace for luxury fashion, and the Vice President of Ecommerce & Digital Marketing at Moda Operandi, where she spearheaded the company's digital transformation and international expansion efforts.
Samantika's diverse experience also includes roles at Marks and Spencer, where she managed the company's social media presence and led the digital strategy for its home and childrenswear categories, as well as a stint as a Consultant at The Boston Consulting Group, where she advised clients on strategic initiatives and operational improvements.
Academic Background
Samantika holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School, where she graduated with distinction.
Areas of Expertise
- Direct-to-consumer strategy and channel management
- Ecommerce platform optimization and performance enhancement
- Digital marketing and customer acquisition
- Omnichannel customer experience design and optimization
- Retail and fashion industry digital transformation
- Cross-functional team leadership and change management
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Samantika has demonstrated a track record of driving measurable business results and industry-leading innovations. At Coty, she has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive direct-to-consumer strategy that has contributed to double-digit growth in the company's online sales. At Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, she led a successful initiative to migrate the company's ecommerce platform, resulting in improved site performance, increased conversion rates, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
Samantika's expertise and thought leadership have also been recognized by industry peers, as she has been invited to speak at prominent retail and ecommerce conferences, sharing her insights on the future of digital customer engagement and the importance of data-driven decision-making.
Conclusion
With her extensive experience in the retail and ecommerce industry, Samantika Gokhale is a strategic leader who excels at leveraging digital technologies and customer-centric strategies to drive sustainable growth and deliver exceptional customer experiences. In her current role at Coty, she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the direct-to-consumer and customer experience domains, positioning the company for long-term success in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving market.