Lew Frankfort ’69

Lew Frankfort is Chairman Emeritus of Coach, Inc. He joined Coach in 1979 and served as Chairman and CEO from 1985 through 2014. During his 35 years with Coach, Lew built the small leather goods company into a $5 billion global accessories and lifestyle brand and was recognized multiple times by Barron’s as one of the “30 Most Respected CEOs around the World,” and by Institutional Investor as one of the “Best CEOs in America.”

After retiring from Coach, Lew co-founded Benvolio Group, an investment firm that focuses on early-stage disruptive consumer brands, including several where he advises and mentors senior leaders. Lew spent the first 10 years of his career in New York City government, with the last three restoring the city’s Head Start and day care programs as the Commissioner of the Agency for Child Development. He grew up in the Bronx and attended Hunter College and Columbia Business School. He and his wife Bobbie live in New York City, where they are active supporters of education and the arts. They have three children, eight grandchildren, and two beloved labradoodles.