NRF says these are the people shaping retail’s future
Lists are a good way to start a debate, depending on who is included or left off, and that is sure to be the case with a newly released compilation of the 25 individuals the National Retail Federation Foundation has included on the 2016’s List of People Shaping Retail’s Future.
The group of 25 individuals is segmented into five categories – disruptors, dreamers, givers, influencers, power players – who will be honored when the non-profit arm of the retail trade group holds its annual gala on Jan. 17 in New York City in conjunction with NRF’s annual convention. The foundation gala, now in its second year, will bring together hundreds of industry executives to celebrate and honor those on the list and award scholarships to talented students striving to become the next generation of retail leaders.
“The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future represents the most innovative and impressive group of professionals impacting the retail industry today,” said NRF Senior Vice President and Foundation Executive Director Ellen Davis. “We are thrilled to celebrate ‘The List’ and hold them up as shining examples of the talent, passion and creativity that drive the retail industry forward. Recognizing our List honorees and awarding scholarships to students who want to succeed in retail goes right to the heart of the NRF Foundation’s mission – shaping retail’s future.”
The 25 individuals named to The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2016 are:
Disruptors:
Jessica Herrin, CEO and founder, Stella & Dot Family Brands
Katrina Lake, CEO and founder, Stitch Fix
Kyle Nel, executive director, Lowe's Innovation Labs, Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Greg Petro, president and CEO, First Insight
Debbie Sterling, founder and CEO, Goldieblox
Dreamers:
Moziah Bridges, founder and CEO, Mo's Bows
Matthew Corrin, founder and CEO, Freshii
Danielle DiFerdinando, founder and creative director, Danielle Nicole
Alexis Ringwald, co-founder and CEO, LearnUp
Givers:
Tory Burch, chairman and co-CEO, Tory Burch LLC, founder, Tory Burch Foundation
Erin Harper, senior program manager, local producer loan program, Whole Foods Market
Kindley Walsh Lawlor, vice president, global sustainability, Gap, Inc.
Bea Perez, vice president and chief sustainability officer, The Coca-Cola Company
Doug Rauch, founder and president, Daily Table
Laysha Ward, executive vice president and chief corporate social responsibility officer, Target
Influencers:
Walter Loeb, president, Loeb Associates
Courtney Reagan, retail reporter, CNBC
Al Sambar, managing partner, retail and consumer group, Kurt Salmon
Dana Telsey, CEO and chief research officer, Telsey Advisory Group
The Honorable Mark R. Warner, United States Senator for Virginia
Power Players:
Mary Dillon, CEO, Ulta Beauty
Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO, Restoration Hardware
Michelle Gass, chief merchandising and customer officer, Kohl's
James Rhee, executive chairman and CEO, Ashley Stewart
Stormy Simon, president, Overstock.com