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Chantal Restivo-Alessi
CEO International FL and Chief Digital Officer at HarperCollins Publishers
Chantal Restivo-Alessi is a prominent figure in the publishing industry, currently serving as the Chief Digital Officer and CEO of International Foreign Language at HarperCollins Publishers. She has been with HarperCollins since 2012, initially appointed as Chief Digital Officer and later expanding her role to include international responsibilities in 2015. In her capacity, she leads the global digital strategy and oversees the foreign language publishing program, significantly enhancing the company's digital sales by 175% through innovative partnerships with distributors like Scribd and Storytel.1
Education and Career Background
Restivo-Alessi holds an MBA from Columbia University, specializing in Finance, Marketing, and International Business. She also has a Master's degree in Foreign Trade and International Marketing from the ICE Italian Institute and a Laurea (MA) in International Political Sciences from the University of Rome. Her extensive career spans over 25 years in media management, where she has held various senior roles including Director of Investment Banking at ING Bank and Head of Strategy at EMI Music.2
Contributions to Publishing
Under her leadership, HarperCollins has launched several successful initiatives, including a robust e-commerce platform and direct-to-consumer programs. She is recognized for pioneering new digital sales channels and has been instrumental in establishing trade publishing operations in multiple international markets.14 Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for Words Without Borders, reflecting her commitment to promoting literary culture globally.2
Key Achievements
- Pioneered Digital Sales Growth: Achieved a 175% increase in digital sales through strategic partnerships.
- Global Publishing Initiatives: Launched programs that have expanded HarperCollins' reach into foreign markets.
- Leadership Roles: Active member of HarperCollins' executive committee and involved in shaping the future of digital publishing.13
Chantal Restivo-Alessi's leadership at HarperCollins exemplifies a blend of strategic vision and innovative thinking, positioning the company as a leader in both traditional and digital publishing landscapes.


