Horacio “Haio” Barbeito, President and CEO, Old Navy
Adaptability, collaboration and a focus on developing future talent are essential for long-term success in retail. Horacio “Haio” Barbeito, president and CEO of Old Navy, joins Retail Gets Real to reflect on a global career in retail, the responsibility of developing future talent and how leaders can navigate rapid change while keeping humanity at the center of the business.
With nearly three decades of experience spanning Argentina, the United States, Chile, Puerto Rico and Canada, Barbeito’s leadership philosophy was shaped by working across cultures and markets. His journey — which included 26 years at Walmart and CEO roles in multiple international businesses — reinforced an early lesson: Growth happens when leaders are willing to leave their comfort zones. Retail, he says, is never static. It demands constant learning, movement and responsiveness to customers whose expectations evolve at the speed of culture.
Barbeito says retail is uniquely suited for leaders who thrive in environments of transformation. With brands achieving near-universal awareness, the real challenge is staying relevant — continually refining product, experience and engagement to meet customers where they are today, not where they were yesterday. Retail’s pace, he says, creates a “healthy pressure” that keeps organizations sharp and leaders accountable.
That same mindset extends to his involvement with the National Retail Federation and the NRF Foundation. As a board member and advocate, Barbeito highlights the power of industry-wide collaboration in strengthening retail’s future workforce.
Old Navy’s This Way Onward program is an initiative designed to bridge the opportunity gap by providing young people with their first job experiences. Barbeito says the program offers more than employment — it delivers mentorship, skill development and confidence to thousands of young people each year, many from underserved communities.
He says participants have used the program as a launching pad for higher education and long-term careers, reinforcing the idea that retail often serves as the first step in a much larger professional journey. These outcomes, Barbeito says, are not just good for society — they make strong business sense by investing in the future workforce.
When asked what motivates him, Barbeito points not to numbers or titles, but to people. Seeing teams grow, talent advance and individuals realize their potential is what fuels his leadership. Retail, he believes, offers a rare privilege: the ability to shape lives through opportunity, learning and meaningful work.
The episode also touches on the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and its implications for retail. While acknowledging both curiosity and uncertainty, Barbeito underscores the importance of thoughtful adoption — leveraging technology to enhance productivity while preserving the human connections that define great retail experiences.
(00:00:00) Building a global retail career through change
Why moving across markets accelerates growth and perspective
What retail teaches leaders about adapting at the speed of culture
Why staying relevant matters more than brand awareness
(00:06:16) Creating first jobs that change lives
Why retail often becomes a defining first career experience
How opportunity programs open doors far beyond the store
What it means to invest in talent with long-term impact
(00:10:26) Why investing in people is smart business
How opportunity programs strengthen the future workforce
What truly motivates leaders after decades in retail
How people-centered leadership drives brand momentum
(00:13:20) Navigating AI without losing the human touch
How fast AI adoption is reshaping work and customer experience
The tension between technological speed and thoughtful leadership
Why it’s okay not to have all the answers yet
(00:19:14) Advice for the next generation of retail leaders
Why learning is no longer limited by your employer
What it means to be a lifelong student of retail
Learn more about Old Navy’s This Way Onward program
Become an NRF member and join the world’s largest retail trade association
Learn about the NRF Foundation, at nrffoundation.org
Learn about retail advocacy at nrf.com/advocacy
Find more episodes at retailgetsreal.com
