Groupe Dynamite Inc. has appointed former Cohere President and Chief Operating Officer Martin Kon to its board of directors, effective immediately, as the fashion retailer adds technology and artificial intelligence expertise to its governance team while pursuing its long-term growth strategy.
The Montreal-based company said Kon, who most recently served as President, Chief Operating Officer and a member of the board of directors at Toronto-based artificial intelligence company Cohere, joins the board after holding senior leadership roles spanning technology, finance and operations.
The appointment comes as Groupe Dynamite continues to expand its retail and digital operations internationally while focusing on technology, data and artificial intelligence as part of its business strategy.
Chief Executive Officer and board chair Andrew Lutfy said Kon’s experience aligns with the company’s long-term objectives.
“Martin brings a unique combination of technology leadership, operational expertise and strategic insight that will be highly valuable to Groupe Dynamite as we scale our business. His experience at Cohere, YouTube and leading global consulting firms has given him a deep understanding of how technology, data, and AI can accelerate innovation, strengthen our operating model and support disciplined growth. As we continue to execute our long-term growth strategy, Martin’s perspective will further strengthen our Board, help position Groupe Dynamite for its next phase of growth and support the creation of lasting value for our shareholders,” said Lutfy.
Kon said he sees opportunities for the retailer as it continues its international expansion and invests in technology.
“Groupe Dynamite has built something rare – two brands that customers genuinely love, backed by disciplined, profitable growth. As the father of two daughters who are devoted GARAGE and DYNAMITE shoppers, I’ve seen that loyalty firsthand. The opportunities ahead are compelling: continued expansion internationally across the U.S., the U.K. and beyond, deepening community through social media, and harnessing data and AI to strengthen an already-strong operating model. I’m honoured to join the board and to help Andrew and the team pursue these growth vectors in its next chapter,” added Kon.
The company said Kon currently serves as a board director, researcher and strategic advisor to a select group of operational and capital market organizations, with a focus on enterprise reinvention through artificial intelligence. His current roles include serving as an industry advisor to KKR, a member of the Client Advisory Council at J.P. Morgan Advisors and a member of the McGill Desautels International Advisory and Advancement Board.
Groupe Dynamite said Kon is also scheduled to begin doctoral research at the University of Cambridge in October 2026, where he will study what the company described as “The Reinvention Paradox in the Age of AI.”
Before joining Cohere, Kon served as Chief Financial Officer, internally titled Business Finance Officer, at YouTube within Google/Alphabet. Groupe Dynamite said he oversaw global strategy, finance, business operations and data analytics during a period in which YouTube grew to more than US$40 billion in annual revenue while improving its operating margins.
The company said Kon helped lead Cohere’s growth from a research-focused organization into what it described as a transatlantic sovereign artificial intelligence company that had a reported valuation of US$20 billion as of April 2026.
Groupe Dynamite operates women’s fashion retail stores and e-commerce businesses under its GARAGE and DYNAMITE banners. The company said it operates in Canada and the United States and has recently expanded into the United Kingdom as part of its international growth strategy. It employs approximately 7,200 people, who participate in the company’s Shared Success Program through ownership exposure.
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