From 2008–2016, Crawford served as CEO of AlixPartners, a leading global advisory firm. During his tenure, the firm grew significantly and created substantial shareholder value. He then became Senior Vice Chairman until his retirement in 2021. He remains a board member and advisor to the firm. Crawford also serves as a member of several industry boards and as an advisor to private equity firms.
Prior to AlixPartners, Crawford held senior positions at other major consulting firms and has experience in supply chain and brand management. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Crawford is coauthor of The Myth of Excellence, a Businessweek and New York Times bestseller that details his research on consumer motivation and corporate strategic response. The book has been published in 13 languages and has taken Crawford to board rooms around the world. Frequently involved with the media, he is a sought-after presenter.