Kyle Gendreau '91
The Samsonite CEO unpacks how his time on the Hill helped him take off in business and beyond.
When Kyle Gendreau ’91 thinks back on his Stonehill years, the memories are layered with both family history and personal milestones. The son of two alumni who went on to work for Stonehill—his father, Francis Gendreau ’64, a longtime professor in the Department of Philosophy and his mother, Claudette Demers-Gendreau '81, a clinical psychologist in the Counseling Center—he grew up hearing about the power of purple over stories told at the dinner table long before arriving on campus as an accounting student.
Brick by brick, the foundation of Gendreau’s experience at Stonehill was built upon a strong liberal arts education and prominent Catholic influence, shaping the values and perspective that would later guide his 18-year career with Samsonite Group. The mentorship of professors like J. Richard Anderson, Edward Vaughn, Jr. and Debra Salvucci inspired his outlook on leadership as CEO and continues to shape the impact he makes today as a member of Stonehill’s Board of Trustees.
Yet, without a doubt, the pinnacle of Gendreau’s time on the Hill, he says, was meeting his wife, Suzanne (Molloy) Gendreau ’93. For him, Stonehill was more than just a college—it was where the experiences, relationships and lessons he learned would go on to define his career and the life he’s built since.
In five questions, Gendreau shares the impact of his work, his enduring connection to Stonehill and the farming adventures that balance life in the boardroom.
My journey at Samsonite Group has been, and continues to be, amazing. We are an industry leader with brands like Samsonite, Tumi and American Tourister, which touch every part of the globe. As a world traveler, I spend more than 200 days a year visiting different countries and connecting with 12,000 incredible employees. In many ways, Samsonite made me the global citizen I hadn’t fully anticipated becoming when I first joined.
I served as CFO for 10 years and have now begun my eighth year as CEO. We listed the company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2011 while I was CFO, and since then, we’ve acquired several companies, including Tumi in 2016. Over my 18 years here, the business has experienced tremendous growth.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought its challenges as the world suddenly stopped traveling. Yet, through bold actions and careful management, we navigated the business through that period and emerged stronger. Most importantly, our teams and business remained intact. It was truly a giant effort by all, especially companies in the travel industry.
Even after 18 years, I’m still excited about this business and its potential. It’s a company I love, with hard-working teams around the world, iconic brands and an industry tied to such a fun part of our lives—travel!
Like most career growth stories, mine has been about pushing beyond the job description—always looking for opportunities to do more, learn more and contribute in new ways.
I began my career in public accounting and had a great experience at Coopers & Lybrand. From there, I explored new opportunities, including serving as CFO at ZOOTS, a dry-cleaning venture, before eventually joining Samsonite. In every role, I made it a point to get involved beyond my defined responsibilities and always focused on building strong relationships, staying true to core values and supporting people and teams.
One of the most important leadership lessons I’ve learned is to treat everyone the same—whether they’re on the factory floor, in a retail store, part of the office team or sitting in the boardroom. Everyone has a role to play, and we’re all working toward the same goals. I see myself as just another member of the team, which keeps me grounded and connected to the people I lead.
This is such a meaningful program. When we were first approached, it was clear immediately that we could contribute in a way that aligns perfectly with what we do best—providing high-quality backpacks. We started by donating High Sierra bags, one of our brands that specializes in back-to-school gear, and have since expanded to include other Samsonite brands as well.
I still remember the first year we partnered with the Office of Alumni Engagement. I personally loaded my truck with boxes of backpacks and delivered them to the College myself. Since then, the process has become more organized, and it’s really grown into an important initiative for us as a company.
We’re proud to support several programs like this, including donations to St. Jude’s and a global initiative that provides backpacks to homeless communities in major cities around the world.
I’m truly excited to be reconnected with Stonehill in a new way through the Board of Trustees. Having served on Samsonite’s board for 16 years and more recently joining the board of Caleres, a global footwear company, I hope to bring valuable experience and perspective that will benefit the College.
My connection to Stonehill is lifelong. Both of my parents were alumni and long-time employees, and I was fortunate to receive tuition remission through their work—a gift I’ll always be grateful for. Serving on the Board feels like a meaningful way to give back to a place that has given so much to me and my family. I know it would have meant a great deal to my father, and my mother is incredibly proud to see me take on this role.
I'm also excited about the opportunity to engage with current students and contribute to the business program. Sharing what I’ve learned as a leader of a global organization feels like a great way to give back—and hopefully inspire the next generation of Stonehill graduates.
It’s actually a funny story. When I first met my wife at a dance on campus, I told her I wanted to be a farmer—despite not having any real experience! For some reason, I’ve always had a passion for farming.
About 10 years ago, we had the opportunity to acquire a small farm just a few miles from our home. It had been in my wife’s uncle’s family, but it hadn’t been farmed in over 50 years. The property included a historic barn that I believed was worth saving, and that became our starting point.
Since then, we've been slowly building what has become an amazing hobby farm. We restored that 140-year-old barn, which is now sturdy enough to stand for another century. We’ve also brought a few old machines back to life, including a couple of vintage tractors and a 1967 Ford farm truck.
Our little farm is home to pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits and, of course, a farm cat who keeps an eye on everything. We also grow a large family garden that our extended family helps tend and enjoys. Suzanne turns our homegrown tomatoes into sauce that lasts us all year, and she makes the most incredible pickles you’ll ever try. Personally, I love growing pumpkins and gourds. I plant as many as I can and give them to any friends or visitors who want one.
For me, the farm has been a wonderful family experience and a much-needed escape from the fast pace of daily life. It’s the perfect contrast to my work world—something completely different and incredibly rewarding.
Kyle Gendreau '91, behind the wheel of his tractor on his farm
