Behind the Advisors
John DeLucie
Executive Chef/Partner, The Waverly Inn
John has 18 years of culinary experience in dining institutions across the world. He currently serves up perfection at the critically acclaimed Greenwich Village neighborhood restaurant, The Waverly Inn. A New York native, he didn't start his career over an open flame but climbing the corporate ladder in a number of 9-5 jobs.
After attending a class at New York's New School for Culinary Arts, John decided a career as a chef was his true calling. After graduating from culinary school John took some time to explore some of the world's culinary capitals including France, Italy and Spain. It was during this time where John defined his cooking style, fusing modern cooking techniques with European flavors. Upon returning to the states John landed a job in the kitchen of Arizona 206, the Southwestern groundbreaking eatery that went ahead to receive 3 stars by The New York Times. Following his stint at Arizona 206 John further demonstrated his culinary agility at the venerable American seafood restaurant, Oceana and translated the traditional American food vernacular, to create his own category of high-end artisan cooking. John showcases this style in his seasonal menu at The Waverly Inn, touted as one of the hottest restaurants in NYC, with strong celebrity clientele.
John has been featured in New York Magazine, Town & Country, and The New York Times, and on television on Martha Stewart and The CBS Saturday Early Show. John pens a monthly food & entertaining column for Gotham and is writing a memoir titled The Hunger due out in early 2009.
Alexandra Wilkis Wilson
Chief Merchandising Officer, Gilt Groupe
Alexandra has ten years of international experience in the luxury goods, retail and finance sectors. Alexandra is currently Founder and Chief Merchandising Officer of Gilt Groupe, a fashion and luxury lifestyle company. Alexandra has extensive e-commerce and retail experience and is responsible for sourcing all merchandise sold on Gilt Groupe. She instigates and manages relationships between Gilt Groupe and over 400 brand partners. She previously oversaw retail operations at Bulgari, overseeing 15 North American stores. Prior, Alexandra managed Leather Goods Sales Planning for Louis Vuitton North America. She started her retail career as a consultant for retail guru Marvin Traub at Financo Inc. She holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from Harvard University.
Alexandra has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Crain's, Women's Wear Daily, W, InStyle, Los Angeles Times, FOX, Extra, ABC, and many more business, fashion and retail publications and television shows.
