WASHINGTON – The NRF Foundation today announced the 25 individuals named to The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future. The honorees include a wide range of dynamic people impacting retail and will be celebrated January 13, 2019, at the NRF Foundation Gala during NRF 2019: Retail’s Big Show in New York City. Proceeds from the Gala benefit the NRF Foundation, NRF’s nonprofit arm, which is committed to demonstrating retail as an industry of opportunity and creating programs that help people become trained and find jobs in retail.
“There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the retail industry, and people on The List 2019 epitomize the creativity, enthusiasm and energy in retail today."
“There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the retail industry, and people on The List 2019 epitomize the creativity, enthusiasm and energy in retail today,” NRF Foundation President Ellen Davis said. “This year’s honorees are at the forefront of innovation in retail: creating new businesses, breathing life and energy into existing concepts, impacting investments, and spearheading change that inspires industry leaders and consumers across the globe.”
The fifth annual Gala will bring together hundreds of the industry’s executives to celebrate those named to The List and award scholarships to students aspiring to become the next generation of retail leaders. Along with celebrating The List, NRF will also recognize Levi Strauss & Co. President and CEO Chip Bergh as “The Visionary,” an award given to an inspiring leader with a history of spearheading change in the retail industry.
The Gala is expected to raise over $3 million for NRF Foundation initiatives – including educational and inspirational programs, student scholarships and RISE Up, an industry-backed training and credentialing program. The evening will be co-hosted by former President and CEO of Neiman Marcus Group and chair of the NRF Foundation Board Karen Katz and Chairman, President and CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club and Chairman of the NRF Board, Christopher Baldwin.
The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2019:
The Disruptors
Tim Brown and Joey Zwillinger, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Allbirds
Diane Dietz, President and CEO, Rodan + Fields
Shea Jensen, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience, Nordstrom
Susan Tynan, Founder and CEO, Framebridge
Heidi Zak and David Spector, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, ThirdLove
The Dreamers
Jessica Alba, Founder, The Honest Company
Charlotte Gould, CEO, Stitches by Charlotte
Amanda E. Johnson and KJ Miller, Co-Founders, Mented Cosmetics
Steph Korey, Co-Founder and CEO, and Jen Rubio, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Away
Ajay Kori, Co-Founder, UrbanStems
Jo Malone, Founder and Creative Director, Jo Loves
The Givers
Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse, Co-Founders, R.Riveter
Mike Brady, President and CEO, Greyston
Jim Haslam II, Founder and Philanthropist, Pilot Corporation
David Heath and Randy Goldberg, Co-Founders, Bombas
Tina Sharkey, Co-Founder and CEO, Brandless
The Influencers
Stacy Brown-Philpot, CEO, TaskRabbit
Oliver Chen, Managing Director, Retail and Luxury Head, Cowen
Jason Del Rey, Senior Editor, Commerce, Recode
Kirsten Green, Founder and Managing Partner, Forerunner Ventures
The Power Players
Steve Barbarick, President and COO, Tractor Supply Company
Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Warby Parker
Diane Ellis, President, Chico’s
J. Michael Evans, Director and President, Alibaba Group
Carolyn Tastad, Group President, North America and Executive Sponsor, Gender Equality, Procter & Gamble
About The NRF Foundation
The NRF Foundation shapes retail’s future by building awareness of the industry through statistics and stories; developing talent through education, experiences and scholarships; and fostering career growth among people who work in retail. The NRF Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the National Retail Federation and is funded in part by generous donations from retail industry supporters.