Ceci Kurzman is an accomplished business leader, board director, and private investor helping organizations build brands, advance operations, and thrive in today’s increasingly competitive landscape. She is the Founder and CEO of Nexus Management Group, a private holding company dedicated to investments in growth-stage businesses in the consumer, media, and technology sectors. She is also the founder of the consumer technology platform, OurX. She has served on public, private, and nonprofit boards since 2012.
Known for foresight and innovation, with deep expertise in branding and consumer behavior, Ceci helps brands maintain relevance, achieve differentiation, and connect with increasingly sophisticated consumers in a complex digital world. Ceci is a Member of the Board of Directors for Man Group (LSE: EMG), Lanvin Group (NYSE: LANV), Warner Music Group Group (NASDAQ: WMG) where she serves on various committees including Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Governance committees. In addition, Ceci recently stepped down from the Board of Directors for Revlon, Inc. where she served on the Audit and Compensation Committees since 2013. Ceci brings a wealth of experience to the boardroom, providing insight on emerging technologies and how to identify and execute on innovative ideas. She has direct experience overseeing operations, financial reporting, and corporate governance, as well as managing risk.
In addition to her work in the boardroom, Kurzman serves as a senior advisor to private equity Spots Investment funds Dynasty Equity and Bruin Capital as well as the early stage venture capital fund, City Rock Ventures. Ceci’s board service also extends to emergent media companies where she has identified opportunities to invest, create value and drive long-term growth. An integral partner, she serves on the board of Spring Studios, a new model creative agency for beauty, fashion, and lifestyle brands She leads the Operating Committee that hired successive CEOs and implemented a strategic growth plan that drove annual revenues to over $100 million. She also serves on the boards of privately held UK media companies, Migreat and Tortoise Media.
Ceci has roots in the entertainment industry where she built her reputation at Arista records before being appointed Vice President of Worldwide Marketing at Epic Records/Sony Music. Over her career, she successfully led business and marketing strategy, propelling iconic artists worldwide. Understanding the power of digital media and anticipating how this would transform the entertainment industry, Ceci founded Nexus Management Group in 2004 as a talent management organization based on the concept of “Artist as Enterprise.” She capitalized on new technology to guide the business strategies and brand development of iconic recording artists including Shakira and Alicia Keys. Ceci successfully produced several $100+ million global tours and helped make Shakira the first artist to build a social media presence of 100 million followers and was at the forefront of Latin artists crossing to the mainstream.
Recognizing the need to enable artists to secure their financial futures, Ceci launched an initiative aligning direct investment strategies to provide long-term annuity income for artists. She successfully sourced several early stage investments for her clients that, like Spotify, turned into global brand names. With an impressive track record, she transitioned full-time into investing, launching companies, and funding growth-stage businesses with established private equity partners. These ventures include global media, beauty, fashion, and consumer packaged goods companies such as Migreat, Tortoise Media, Cover FX, and Bulletproof Coffee. She frequently hires management teams and provides strategic and operational expertise with a focus on brand-building, digital platforms, and content strategy.
Ceci Kurzman, Board Director Ceci dedicates considerable time to helping nonprofit organizations thrive. She has served on the board of Women’s Forum, New York’s premier organization of female business leaders; and Choate Rosemary Hall, where she co-chaired a $300 million capital campaign. For seven years, Ceci co-produced the Apollo Theater Benefit, generating $5 million annually to support music and cultural programs in underserved communities. Ceci was born in New York and raised across Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East before returning to her native city. Her passions include mentoring female entrepreneurs and advocating for diversity in the boardroom. She is a graduate of Harvard University.