Gene Cook
Global Collectibles and E-commerce Leader
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About
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky, then Nashville, before making my way to the Bay Area for business school and building my career. With a left/right brain balance fostered by a love of theater and creativity, I bring curiosity, adaptability, and passion to everything I do. I’ve had the privilege of leading and building teams at eBay—most recently heading the Global Collectibles business—Meta, and my own startups. My background spans General Management, Product, and scaling businesses, always with a focus on achieving impactful results. Married to a brilliant partner from South Carolina, I’m inspired daily by our very tall son, a Philosophy student who keeps us learning. I enjoy leading teams in pursuing meaningful goals and crafting innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Job Categories
Industries
Top Skills
What I Offer
I help organizations unlock growth through innovative strategies, operational excellence, and talent development.
Keynote Speaking
Engaging, insightful talks on leadership, innovation, and marketplaces.
Advising and Mentoring
Providing guidance on talent development, strategic decision-making, and navigating complex ecosystems.
Consulting
Partnering to drive growth through operational rigor, customer-centric innovation, and stakeholder alignment.
Ask Me About
Leadership Talks
Strategic Business Consulting
Talent Development Coaching
Collectibles Industry Expertise
Wisdom at Work
Notable Roles
Vice President and GM, Global Collectibles - eBay
Directed a multi-billion-dollar global business, overseeing strategic initiatives like Goldin’s acquisition and the launch of eBay Live.
Senior Director, Product Management - Meta
Led a cross-functional team responsible for $1.5B ARR in fundraising products while delivering 0-to-1 innovations in nonprofit operations.
Founder & CEO - MotorCrew, Inc.
Built an automotive services marketplace connecting enthusiasts with premium service providers and fostering business growth.
Areas of Expertise
E-commerce Innovation
Driving transformational growth and customer engagement through cutting-edge initiatives like interactive commerce platforms and authenticity programs.
Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships
Orchestrating high-value acquisitions and fostering partnerships that enhance customer offerings and establish competitive advantage.
People-First Leadership
Building high-performing, inclusive teams and fostering cultures of collaboration, transparency, and innovation to achieve outstanding results.
Key Achievements
Collectibles Transformation
Launched platforms and partnerships at eBay, enhancing trust, customer engagement, and industry leadership.
Humanitarian Fundraising Expansion
Developed global fundraising capabilities at Meta, enabling significant contributions to global aid efforts.
Startup Innovation
Founded and scaled businesses, creating customer-centric solutions in marketplaces and services.
Wisdom is... balancing humility and ambition for growth, constantly learning and exploring, focusing on the fundamental few things that matter most and generate energy.
Summary of Skills
