"Mindy Grossman represents the future of our industry but also understands and values its roots."
NEW YORK – The National Retail Federation today announced that HSNi CEO Mindy Grossman has been elected chairman of the NRF Board of Directors, succeeding Kip Tindell, co-founder and chairman of The Container Store. In addition, eight new members have been elected to the board, and Neiman Marcus Group President and CEO Karen Katz has been named chair of the NRF Foundation.
“As the leader of a company that has pioneered the new frontiers of retail, Mindy Grossman represents the future of our industry but also understands and values its roots,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Along with our new board members, she is the right leader at the right time as retail continues to evolve, innovate and meet new challenges both in the business world and the public policy arena.”
“Retail has always been a rapidly evolving business and that has never been more true than today,” Grossman said. “NRF is a vital organization for tapping into the best and brightest ideas and then disseminating that thought leadership throughout the industry. These are exciting times to be in retail and I look forward to serving the industry in this new role.”
Grossman, who will serve a two-year-term, was elected as the board held its annual winter meeting in New York on Sunday as part of Retail’s BIG Show. Katz, who will also serve for two years, will succeed Grossman as vice chair of the NRF board in addition to chairing the Foundation.
“Karen Katz has a deep commitment to the mission of the NRF Foundation and its focus on retail careers,” Shay said. “Her leadership will be a vital factor as the foundation works to shine a spotlight on the wide range of exciting professional careers available in retail and to prepare young people to enter this dynamic industry.”
“Retail is one of the best places to work whether you’re looking for a part-time job or a lifelong career,” Katz said. “The NRF Foundation is working hard to make sure everyone from college students to Congress knows about the range of opportunities available in our industry and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
New members of the board include:
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North Carolina Retail Merchants Association President and CEO Andy Ellen
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eBags Co-Founder and Executive Vice President Peter Cobb
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Westfield Retail Solutions President Don Kingsborough
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Google Inc. Vice President of U.S. Sales John McAteer
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IBM Vice President and General Manager-Global Consumer Industry Steve Laughlin
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Ashley Stewart Inc. Executive Chairman and CEO James Rhee
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Deloitte Consulting LLP Vice Chairman-U.S. Retail and Distribution Leader Rodney Sides
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Sephora Americas President and CEO Calvin McDonald
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF.com