Leadership

Exploring the Luxury Council

CEO & Chairman

Christopher Olshan leads The Luxury Council as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, having transformed the organization into the definitive global network for luxury brand leadership. His work sits at the intersection of market intelligence, experiential strategy, and the evolving relationship between luxury brands and ultra-high-net-worth consumers.

Since 2008, Christopher has built an unparalleled ecosystem of C-suite executives, thought leaders, and industry innovators—creating a platform where the world's most discerning brands connect, collaborate, and access strategic insights that shape their approach to luxury excellence. His founding of the Young Luxury Marketers' Council in 2011 reflected a prescient understanding of generational shifts that would fundamentally reshape luxury consumption.

Christopher's perspective is grounded in hands-on entrepreneurial experience. Before leading The Luxury Council, he built and operated ventures across multiple luxury sectors—from exotic automotive imports to high-fashion modeling, elevated homecare services to real estate. This diverse portfolio cultivated an instinctive understanding of operational excellence, aesthetic sensibility, and the client intimacy that defines authentic luxury experiences.

As an educator and thought leader, Christopher shapes the next generation of luxury professionals through teaching appointments at NYU Stern School of Business, Parsons School of Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, Fordham University, LIM College, and Kent State University. His lectures on luxury branding and market dynamics are valued for their strategic depth and immediate applicability—delivering actionable intelligence rather than theoretical frameworks.

Christopher's keynote presentations at premier industry events address digital transformation, experiential luxury, and emerging consumer behaviors. His insights don't emerge from market research reports—they come from daily conversations with the CEOs and CMOs navigating these challenges in real time.

Outside the luxury sector, Christopher maintains an active creative practice in landscape, portrait, and fashion photography, with work exhibited in galleries throughout the United States. His interests span hardscape design, mechanics, carpentry, travel, and culinary arts—pursuits that reflect the commitment to craftsmanship and aesthetic integrity that informs his professional philosophy.

Christopher's approach centers on authentic, relationship-driven value creation. In an industry often criticized for transactional thinking, he has built an enduring platform by prioritizing trust, connection, and the long-term relationships that define true luxury.

Chief Financial Officer

Kristy Olshan is a transformational finance executive with over 15 years of experience driving profitable growth and value creation across manufacturing and service industries. As Chief Financial Officer of Elite Building Services, she delivered significant value creation during her first year, driving profitability while achieving 690 basis points of margin improvement and mid-teens sales growth.

Prior to joining Elite, Kristy served as CFO of Superior Plastic Products and Affiliates, where she orchestrated an $80 million turnaround in just two years. Under her leadership, the company achieved a 30% sales compound annual growth rate while transforming three operating entities from net losses to mid-teens EBITDA margins.

Kristy brings rare expertise in both operational finance and capital markets, having spent a decade at Armstrong World Industries (NYSE: AWI). As Director of Investor Relations, she played a pivotal role in attracting over $1.3 billion in new institutional capital and generating $900 million in shareholder value following a major business unit spin-off. She successfully expanded the company's sell-side analyst coverage from eight to 17 firms, onboarding coverage from leading institutions including J.P. Morgan, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, and Bank of America.

Throughout her career, Kristy has demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, M&A integration, financial planning and analysis, investor relations, and crisis management. She is known for building high-performing teams, implementing rigorous financial controls, and partnering with business leaders to accelerate growth trajectories.

Kristy began her career in public accounting, gaining deep expertise in financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and risk management. She holds an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting, graduating Summa cum Laude from York College of Pennsylvania. She is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the American Institute of CPAs.

Client Testimonials

Having been a founding member of the Luxury Council, right from its beginning in 1994, I can state with conviction that the organization has been of outstanding benefit to me and my colleagues. Two things stand out in my mind as being of great value: First is the interaction among Council members. We share valuable marketing information on trends within the luxury goods and services sector. This allows fascinating perspectives and insights from all over the luxury world. Frequently I have been able to adapt innovative marketing techniques to my own operations to great advantage. Second, because of the frequent and close contact I have maintained with my fellow Council members I have been able to develop valuable promotional collaborations that have led to increased sales. That's the bottom line, isn't it?

Larry Pimentel

Joint Owner/Operator of Four Seasons Yachts

Virtuoso has been a member of The Luxury Council since its second year of existence and our membership has played a very strong role in our expansion of our brand, especially with regard to collaboration with other luxury partners. It has also been extremely useful in providing us with a benchmark of business practices and innovations in the luxury sector.

Matthew D. Upchurch

CTC CEO Virtuoso

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