Johnny Russo has 20 years of Digital Marketing, Ecommerce, and Brand experience. Johnny is the CEO of Zero Lush and Rush Cycle, and a partner in Commerce Rewired and High Voltage Digital. Johnny was the Chief Digital and Marketing Officer at Lamour, where he led the Direct-to-Consumer division for 4 Ecommerce brands and 6 Ecommerce sites. He also handles marketing for over 20 licenses. Previous to Lamour, Johnny was at The Kersheh Group as the Vice President of Ecommerce and Marketing, and also spent time with Mark’s/Canadian Tire as AVP of Ecommerce and Digital Marketing. He has also worked at multi-channel retailers like Buffalo Jeans, Bentley, and globally for Mexx.
Johnny is a published author. His book, Mastering Mindful Leadership: 105 Ways to Become the Leader Your Employees Need You to Be, was published in October 2022. Johnny is also a Board of Advisor for several entities.
Monday, May 4, 2026
8:25 AM Keynote Fireside Chat: Rebuilding a Modern Brand: A Turnaround Playbook for Acquisition, Transformation, and Growth
Join David Lui, CEO of KIT + ACE, for a candid fireside chat on the turnaround that has the Canadian brand back stronger than ever, with real momentum heading into its next chapter. David will unpack the four-phase playbook — Inherited State → Rebuild → Proof → Scale — and share how design-led discipline, an efficient integrated supply chain, and disciplined growth are reshaping what a modern Canadian brand can look like in a fast-changing retail landscape.
• The four-phase turnaround playbook: from reset to renewed momentum
• An efficient, integrated supply chain that runs retail and e-commerce as one business, not two channels
• Reimagining a Canadian brand for a new generation without losing what made it loved
• Why disciplined acquisitions accelerate capability, not just top-line scale
1:20 PM Panel: Leading Through Disruption: Mastering Organizational Leadership and Change Management in a Shifting Retail Landscape
Rapid change demands leaders who can guide organizations with vision, resilience, and agility. Our panelists will discuss strategies for driving transformation, nurturing innovative cultures, and inspiring teams through periods of uncertainty and market evolution.
- Embrace adaptive leadership that combines vision with agility, empowering teams to navigate rapid market shifts and emerging consumer expectations confidently
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation to break down silos, accelerate digital transformation, and embed customer-centric change
- Prioritize transparent communication and stakeholder engagement in change initiatives to build trust, minimize resistance, and ensure alignment on strategic goals
Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Johnny.
Download The Latest Agenda