Danielle Schmelkin

I'm a technology executive and board leader focused on using innovation to drive real-world impact, whether through customer experience transformation, operational excellence, or community leadership. As Chief Information Officer at J.Crew Group (J.Crew, Madewell, J.Crew Factory), I lead enterprise technology, digital product, data science, and AI strategy across our portfolio of iconic brands. My team is driving initiatives that bring together unified commerce, personalization, and emerging technologies, including applied AI and spatial computing, to reimagine how customers engage with fashion. Beyond retail, I serve as Board Chair for URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camps, where I help shape long-term strategy, governance, and leadership development. I’m especially passionate about building high-performing teams, advancing women in STEM and leadership, and investing in technology that is innovative, ethical, and aligned with human values. My approach blends business pragmatism, creative thinking, and deep cross-functional collaboration. I’m as focused on measurable outcomes as I am on cultivating environments where people do their best work.