Dan Alonso

Chief executive of the pioneering fair trade retailer, leading the transformation of a legacy nonprofit into a modern, mission-aligned retail and wholesale brand. • Repositioned Ten Thousand Villages as an artisan development organization that uses retail and wholesale to support its mission. • Restructured leadership and operational teams to improve financial sustainability and market responsiveness. • Strengthened artisan partnerships through product innovation, storytelling, and expanded market reach.

• Built internal innovation practice; scaled $7M innovation portfolio using design thinking and lean start-up. • Launched GIANT Heirloom Market in Philadelphia—a new urban format targeting Gen Z and millennial shoppers. • Led strategy to defend market share from Amazon Fresh and other disruptors.

• Created new revenue streams through leasing/licensing partnerships and startup collaborations. • Developed pop-up retail strategy to extend brand presence in underserved markets.

• Directed technology roadmap for 800+ stores, deploying customer and associate mobility solutions. • Led implementation of continuous improvement systems enhancing store conditions and experience.

• Oversaw enterprise analytics and communications for stores, aligning operations with brand strategy.

• Spearheaded company-wide performance system connecting strategy to individual accountability. • Filed a process innovation patent that reduced liability claims by 20%.

• Pioneered technology solutions for innovation pipeline management and cross-department digitization.

• Early career at high-growth startups building digital strategy, intranet systems, and e-learning UX for Fortune 500 clients.