Rob Apatoff

Robert Apatoff is the Executive Director of the Northwestern/Kellogg Executive Leadership Institute (KELI) and a Clinical Professor. Rob is also a Senior Advisor for the Texas Pacific Group (TPG). Rob has more than 35 years of experience in executive management, strategy, ecommerce and consumer marketing. He has leadership experience in diverse industries that include consumer packaged goods, beverage, athletic shoes & apparel, healthcare, personal lines insurance, as well as floral and gifting. After over eight years leading FTD Companies worldwide, Rob retired as President and CEO at the end of 2016. At FTD, he engineered the 2014 acquisition of Provide Commerce from Liberty Interactive, creating the preeminent global floral and gifting company. The acquisition doubled company revenue while continuing to grow FTD's industry-leading profitability. Throughout his career, Rob has a consistent history of helping to lead companies through tough, competitive markets including executive marketing roles while at Anheuser-Busch, Reebok, and as the first CMO at Allstate. Prior to FTD, Rob served as President and CEO of Rand McNally & Company, after being recruited by PE leader, Leonard Green and Partners and successfully led a turn-around and subsequent sale, by modernizing the RM&C product portfolio and growing the company through new digital, mass merchant and education initiatives. Rob has served on several public and private Boards including FTD Companies, Rand McNally, Inc., Club Champion and Intercontinental Art.  He has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), the Board of Visitors for DePauw University and is a member of the Chicago Commercial Club.