Anne L De Santis
Anne De Santis is a seasoned leader in sales management, training, and development with over three decades of experience in luxury retail and customer experience. She began her career as a graphic designer after earning her degree in Graphic Design and Communication from the University of Michigan, but quickly discovered her passion for people, business, and the dynamic nature of retail. After relocating from Silicon Valley to the Washington, DC area, Anne transitioned into retail, where her natural talent for leadership and merchandising became evident early on, creating community connections through philanthropy with tourism and art organizations.
Her career has since evolved into a distinguished path marked by leadership roles with globally recognized brands including Burberry, Apple, Louis Vuitton, and David Yurman. Throughout her career, Anne has been known for her ability to inspire teams, develop talent, and deliver exceptional client experiences. She has held roles ranging from store leadership to regional management and training, consistently driving results through a people-first approach. At Apple, she led large teams, implemented development programs, and was selected as a market resource for training excellence. At Louis Vuitton and Burberry, she played a key role in client development, leadership training, and innovation initiatives, including participation in global programs. While serving as a Store Manager at David Yurman, Anne continued to blend operational excellence with a deep appreciation for creativity, aligning closely with the brand’s artistic heritage.
Anne is recognized as an innovative and collaborative leader who excels at connecting with individuals, communicating vision, and fostering environments where teams can thrive. Her passion for creativity remains a defining thread throughout her career, influencing her approach to leadership, training, and customer engagement. As she reaches a pivotal moment in her professional journey, Anne is thoughtfully exploring new possibilities, including taking a sabbatical to reflect and reset while continuing to honor the relationships and contributions that have shaped her career.
• University of Michigan
• Print Annual Recognition for San Jose Symphony Orchestra Logo Design
• TEDxRockCreekPark
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my creative spirit, which has been the consistent thread throughout my 36-year career. For me, the creativity is like my water - a fish in water doesn't even know there's water. That is my spark, the creative piece. Even though I started as a graphic designer and transitioned to retail management, I've always tried to stick to my creative spirit. My grandfather was a merchant in Belgium, and my mom said maybe it's just in my blood, which helped me understand why I naturally moved from part-time work to managing a store within six months. I've been drawn to creative organizations like David Yurman, where the founders are both artists, and that creative DNA resonates with me. Throughout my work at Burberry, Apple, Louis Vuitton, and David Yurman, I've brought that creative approach to everything I do, whether it's designing training experiences, transforming store culture, or leading teams. The small little kindnesses that we give up of ourselves usually come back around, and I want to be that positive force with whatever I have left in me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You too can have a successful career and be able to take care of yourself which is also vital for success
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are having my voice heard and being respected in my work. When I gave three and a half months notice about my sabbatical, I was so appreciative that they continued to keep me in the loop, continued to keep me in projects, and continued to listen to my voice, which is so important to me. We've all quit jobs and been shunned within minutes, right? But they respected me through the transition. I also value being a positive force in the world. The small little kindnesses that we give up of ourselves usually come back around, as do the negative things we put in the world. For me, I want to be that positive force with whatever I have left in me. I wasn't taught how to be a powerful leader - I had to learn. My weakness shows up when I'm stressed and angry, and it's not attractive. I don't want to lead with my hat in my hand - I want to do it from a point of strength. I'm taking this sabbatical to look at my opportunities in leadership because I think women, not all women, are not taught how to be powerful leaders.