Leadership at Every Level
Demos has held top roles in both public and private companies—including President of Staples North America, and CEO of Barnes & Noble. He’s equally at home advising founders in early-stage chaos or helping mature companies rethink their future.
His experience spans:
- Fortune 100 corporate strategy
- Turnaround leadership
- Retail and e-commerce innovation
- Consumer behavior and brand strategy
- Advisory board leadership and governance
Think your company is ready for the next stage of growth? Connect, collaborate, or explore an opportunity with Demos.
Office Depot / OfficeMax (An Atlas Holdings Portfolio Company)
Demos serves on the Retail Advisory Board supporting a nationwide retail network of more than 800 stores and 15,000 associates. He advises leadership on retail strategy, execution, and omnichannel performance across the chain, leveraging his experience leading large, multi-unit retail organizations to drive clear decision-making, leadership alignment, and sustainable performance improvement.
Barnes & Noble – CEO & COO (2016–2018)
As CEO of a $4B Fortune 500 retailer, Demos led a comprehensive turnaround during major industry disruption. He rebuilt the executive team, re-established credibility with investors and analysts, and reversed multi-year negative sales trends through new merchandising, marketing, and omnichannel strategies. He also launched a next-generation store prototype, strengthened digital–retail integration, and introduced modern talent, succession, and D&I initiatives that improved culture and capability.
Staples, Inc. – President, North American Stores & Online (1987–2016)
Demos oversaw an $11B business with 55,000 employees, driving a large-scale reinvention of the retail and e-commerce model. He rebuilt all digital platforms, significantly improving conversion and omnichannel performance; generated $300M+ in new annual revenue through services and new categories; and improved customer satisfaction by 40% while maintaining profitability amid industry declines.
Macy’s New York (1983–1987)
Completed the Macy’s Executive Training Program and advanced into management roles, developing foundational experience in merchandising, operations, and people leadership.
Board & Advisory Leadership
Current Roles
- Wealthramp – Board of Directors (2020–Present)
- Office Depot / Office Max (2025 – present)
Previous Roles
- KeyCorp – Board of Directors & Risk Committee (2014–2018)
- Barnes & Noble – Board of Directors (2017–2018)
- Modell’s Sporting Goods – Board of Advisors (2012–2019)
A People-First Playbook That Works Across Industries
Whether he’s streamlining global supply chain operations or guiding a seed-stage startup through product-market fit, Demos brings a consistent framework to leadership and business growth:
- Strategic Foresight – Spotting patterns, managing risk, and planning for sustainable scale.
- Operational Discipline – Building teams, processes, and execution plans that hold under pressure.
- Customer-Centric Growth – Helping companies create lasting value by aligning culture and experience.
- Board & Advisory Insight – Bringing accountability, perspective, and trusted mentorship to leadership teams.