#349 - Scaling with Purpose: Leadership Lessons from Holly Rush

Holly Rush Board Member | Strategic Advisor | Former CEO 

October 22, 2025

Guest Bio

Holly Rush Board Member | Strategic Advisor | Former CEO 

Holly is a growth catalyst, leadership advisor and former executive with a strong Commercial and Operational background. She has deep experience scaling low to mid-market companies, and building growth oriented omni-channel brands Holly's background is in the Consumer and Healthcare sectors. She's worked for industry leading companies such as EssilorLuxottica, L'Oreal and Duracell/Gillette, and smaller start-ups, across Beauty, Luxury/Fashion and Lifestyle/Outdoor. As the former CEO for Costa del Mar, a purpose-driven lifestyle brand, she led a full-scale business and brand transformation and created a platform for global expansion. She is also the former President of Luxottica Wholesale North America, where she had responsibility for a $1B portfolio of 30 brands and a team of 1000 employees.

She was the first female appointed to lead a Luxottica subsidiary and received the global award for Entrepreneurship from the company founder, Leonardo Del Vecchio. Holly is the founder of Mariposa Advisors, a business consulting firm started in 2021, that supports entrepreneurs and executives focused on next level growth. She also serves as an Operating Executive, Board Chair and Director for a Private Equity firm. Holly is passionate about developing next-generation talent and devotes significant time to coaching and mentoring emerging leaders and supporting non-profit organizations.

Watch The Highlights Now!

Group photo of diverse young adults and instructors posing in front of a The Shrimp Tank branded backdrop in a studio.