Jamie Salter

As Founder, Chairman and CEO of Authentic, Jamie Salter leveraged his business acumen to write and implement a strategic licensing playbook that connects superbrands with best-in-class partners to build long-term value in the marketplace.

The innovative business model has allowed Authentic to scale rapidly into a multifaceted lifestyle, sports, entertainment and digital platform comprising some of the most iconic and world-renowned brands, such as Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O’Neal, David Beckham, Sports Illustrated, Brooks Brothers and more. Today, its portfolio generates more than $32 billion in global annual retail sales.

With over three decades of success in making strategic and profitable investments in consumer brand-related activities, Salter has executed more than $35 billion in investment deals targeting growth companies and turnarounds.

He began his career in action sports, selling sporting goods before acquiring Kemper Snowboards in the late ‘80s. He cofounded Ride Inc. in 1992 and grew it into the second largest snowboard distributor in the world, taking the company public just two years later. Salter subsequently cofounded Hilco Consumer Capital, a premier financial service holding company, where he led multiple acquisitions of top-grossing brands. He was similarly engaged in the industry as President of GSI Commerce before founding Authentic in 2010.

Salter is an active philanthropist of the Mount Sinai Hospital in his hometown of Toronto and a member of the board of the Muhammad Ali Center. He has been honored for his charitable efforts and various contributions to the nonprofit organizations Delivering Good and Foreseeable Future Foundation as well as been named Father of the Year in 2024 by the National Father’s Day Council.