Developing early retail professionals into strong future leaders

SUPPORT EMERGING LEADERS

The Emerging Leaders Summit Provides early careerists:

  • Knowledge of the wider world of retail directly from industry experts.

  • A network of mid-to-senior level peers.

  • Workforce navigation skills to be engaged, authentic, and successful.

Emerging Leaders pose for a photograph during a break for refreshments and networking.

Emerging Leaders are early in their retail career as full-time employees in entry-level to manager roles at a retail company. They demonstrate strong leadership potential, clear interest to grow in their career, and are committed to cultivating a dynamic retail industry where everyone belongs.

Invest in the Future Leaders of Retail

How to Support and Attend the Emerging Leaders Summit
 

2025 Speakers Announcements

Lisa R. Bannister profile photo

Lisa R. Bannister

Owner
The-Missouri-Rowe-Collective

Ron Brown, Vice President of Community Impact, Target, profile photo

Ron Brown

Target
Group Vice President

Professional bio photo of Ryan Burns overlayed upon the NRF Emerging Leaders brand colors of blue and green.

Ryan Burns

Walmart
Sr. Director, Federal Government Affairs - AI, Technology, and Competition

Professional bio photo of Sean Connor overlayed upon the NRF Emerging Leaders brand colors of blue and green.

Sean Conner

Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Director, Government Affairs

Professional bio photo of Ron Brown overlayed upon the NRF Emerging Leaders brand colors of blue and green.

Katherine Cullen

National Retail Federation
Vice President, Industry and Consumer Insights

Professional bio photo of Monica Davila overlayed upon the NRF Emerging Leaders brand colors of blue and green.

Monica Davila

Old Navy
Senior Vice President Human Resources

Alia Kemet

Shipt
Chief Marketing Officer

Professional bio photo of Kimberly Lee Minor overlayed upon the NRF Emerging Leaders brand colors of blue and green.

Kimberly Lee Minor

WOC Retail Alliance
Chief Executive Officer

Adam Lukoskie

Adam Lukoskie

NRF & NRF Foundation
SVP & Executive Director

Professional bio photo of Mecca Mitchell overlayed upon the NRF Emerging Leaders brand colors of blue and green.

Mecca Mitchell

Burlington Stores, Inc.
Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer

Christiane Pendarvis

Pattern Beauty
Co-Chief Executive Officer

Professional bio photo of Lydia Smith overlayed upon the NRF Emerging Leaders brand colors of blue and green.

Lydia Smith

A New Thing Coaching & Consulting, LLC
Founder & Chief Growth Catalyst

Professional bio photo of Jason Straczewski overlayed upon the NRF Emerging Leaders brand colors of blue and green.

Jason Straczewski

National Retail Federation
Group Vice President, Government Relations & Political Affairs

Professional bio photo of Michelle Toledo overlayed upon the NRF Emerging Leaders brand colors of blue and green.

Michelle Toledo

Bruin, UCollective
Owner

A profile photo for Michelle Weber, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, Gap Inc.

Michelle Weber

Gap Inc.
Global Head of Talent Acquisition

Halleemah Nash

Rosecran Ventures
Founder

 

Highlights from 2025 Emerging Leaders Summit

Two NRF Foundation Emerging Leaders 2026 Summit attendees pose for a picture at their roundtable.
Two NRF Foundation Emerging Leaders 2026 Summit attendees discuss the topic at hand at their roundtable.
A graphic assesment of the summit's discussions rest upon the wall of the meeting room. In giant letters in the center of the handdrawn graphic are the words From Potential to POWER. It is surround by key phrases and doodles.
A NRF Foundation Emerging Leaders 2026 Summit speaker holds her hads in the air as she excitedly gives the room a discussion topic.
A NRF Foundation Emerging Leaders 2026 Summit attendee listens intently while seated at his roundtable.
A NRF Foundation Emerging Leaders 2026 Summit attendee ponders the words of an another attendee.
A NRF Foundation Emerging Leaders 2026 Summit panel speaker discusses a topic on stage.
A NRF Foundation Emerging Leaders 2026 Summit speaker joins a round table and discusses retail topics.
See all the photos

Thanks to our 2025 Supporters

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