Aleksandra Efimova is CEO of Auxo Brands, which she founded in 1998 and is home to global brands offering products, services and education that motivates movers to learn, grow and achieve. Auxo Brands retains RP, Golfabella, 5.6.7.EIGHT Podcast for people on the move, and FLX, home of the Flexistretcher®.

Aleksandra is an entrepreneur and leader with extensive experience in developing collaboration among individuals and organizations throughout the business, non-profit, governmental and educational sectors. She holds an executive diploma from Harvard Business School, has appeared on the Inc. 5000 List, was an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in 2017, and has been featured in many publications including the cover for Club Braman Magazine, Forbes Women, Bloomberg Newsweek, NBC Chicago, and Crain’s Detroit Business.

Aleksandra organizes, hosts and speaks at events related to entrepreneurship, women’s leadership, international relations and the arts. She has served on the boards of multiple organizations and led delegations on overseas trips.

Membership: Harvard Business Club of Palm Beach, International Women’s Forum

Awards: EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist 2017, Inc. 5000 List, Metro Chicago Export Challenge Finalist, Bank of America Small Business of the Month, Stevie Women in Business Award.

Speaking: Executives’ Club of Chicago, International Women’s Forum, EMU Business School Alumni Awards, Brand Activation Association, DePaul University, University of IL and many others.

Early Life and Education

Aleksandra attended the renowned Art School of the Hermitage State Art Museum, trained in classical dance and visual art and enjoyed rigorous academic studies from an early age. After moving from St. Petersburg to the United States in 1993, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in international business and marketing at Eastern Michigan University while becoming a competitive ballroom dancer and exploring interests in business and fashion.

Entrepreneurship

A luminary in the entrepreneurial landscape, Aleksandra inaugurated her journey with the establishment of Russian Pointe (RP) at the tender age of 20, prior to her university graduation. Today, as it marks its 25th anniversary in 2023, RP stands as a beacon of excellence, offering an elite range of dance products from pointe shoes to refined apparel and accessories. The brand's ascension in the dance world mirrors Aleksandra’s unwavering dedication to quality, spanning every facet from production to marketing and enriching customer education.

In 2010, Aleksandra elegantly bridged the realms of art and academics with the introduction of Growing Through Arts. This initiative unveiled a curated collection of educational books and toys, fostering both artistic expression and academic growth in children.

Her visionary acumen shone brightly in 2019 with her acquisition of FLX Stretch Training. Under her astute leadership, what began as a singular product brand flourished into a diverse portfolio emphasizing flexibility, strengthening, and recovery. Furthermore, she ensured that fitness enthusiasts and professionals had access to courses endorsed by the esteemed American Council of Exercise (ACE).

2023 saw Aleksandra channeling her passion for golf and fashion into a new venture, Golfabella. This luxury brand aims to redefine golfing attire for women, intending to set new standards in stylish golf wear. Her ambition is clear: to make Golfabella an iconic name in ladies' golf fashion.

All of Aleksandra's entrepreneurial endeavors are housed under the umbrella of Auxo Brands Corporation. Aptly named after the Greek Goddess of growth, Auxo perfectly encapsulates the essence of a business led by a woman dedicated to championing expansion and evolution.

Adding to her litany of accomplishments, Aleksandra is a proud alumna of the prestigious Harvard Business School, having completed its exclusive Owner/Management Program in 2010. This further solidifies her reputation as a powerhouse in business leadership and management.

Public Service and Philanthropy

As CEO of Auxo Brands, Aleksandra is consistently involved with philanthropic endeavors, donating funds, services and products to myriad organizations.

Alongside her professional activities, Aleksandra is highly dedicated to public service, especially in the areas of international relations, performing arts, business development and education. In 2010, former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley appointed her chair of the Moscow Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International. In 2011, Illinois Senator Mark Kirk appointed her chair of the Eastern European Advisory Board. In 2014, she was appointed vice president (Midwest) of the U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce.

Aleksandra’s activities – in these roles and as an independent citizen and business leader – include creating and hosting events and initiatives that promote advancement, awareness and intercultural exchange in business and the arts.

She has collaborated with Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, Adler Planetarium, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Goodman Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, the Russian Embassy and others, and she been an invited speaker at organizations including Executives’ Club of Chicago, International Women’s Forum, EMU Business School Alumni Awards, Brand Activation Association, DePaul University, University of IL and many others.

Aleksandra’s current and past memberships and leadership posts include Harvard Business Club of Palm Beach, International Women’s Forum, Economic Club of Chicago, Council on Global Affairs, Chair of IL Senator Mark Kirk’s Eastern European Leadership Board, Chair of Sister Cities International Moscow Committee.