Inside the Retail CEO Forum
Making Space To Lead
The Retail CEO Forum is an invitation-only gathering where the industry’s most influential leaders step away from daily demands to engage in candid dialogue, exchange bold ideas, and shape the future of retail together.
The Retail CEO Forum is an invitation-only gathering for chief executives from the most recognized retail and product manufacturing brands. Over the course of three days, leaders engage in candid conversations, share unfiltered insights, and tackle the most pressing issues facing the industry—from AI and consumer shifts to workforce transformation and global risk.
What sets the Forum apart is its focus on peer-driven dialogue in a private, trusted environment. It’s where meaningful connections are made, bold ideas are explored, and CEOs leave recharged for what lies ahead.
Below, hear from RILA President & CEO Brian Dodge on why this moment—and this Forum—matters.
The retail industry is experiencing historic transformation. From artificial intelligence to shifting geopolitics, from evolving consumer expectations to the realities of workforce transformation—this is a moment that demands vision and conviction from the leaders who shape our sector.
The RILA Retail CEO Forum is designed for leaders like this.
Our program brings together a curated set of voices—top retail CEOs, global strategists, boardroom veterans, and cultural icons—for conversations that cut through the noise and speak directly to the challenges facing our community.
But this forum isn’t about stages and spotlights. It’s about CEOs learning from each other, exchanging unvarnished insights, and building trust that carries well beyond the event.
It’s retail’s most important room for a reason. We look forward to seeing you in it.
—
Brian Dodge,
President & CEO, RILA
Attend the can’t miss event for retail executives!
Past Speakers
Notable Voices From the Retail CEO Forum
Each year, the Retail CEO Forum brings together influential leaders from retail, business, technology, and policy. Past speakers include CEOs, global strategists, and industry experts who have helped shape conversations at the Forum.
Anthony Hucker
President & Chief Executive Officer
As president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers (SEG), Anthony Hucker has led the financial restructuring, cultural transformation and omnichannel retail strategy of one of the largest conventional supermarket chains in the U.S. His unwavering focus on operational excellence, leadership development and purpose-driven cultural change have positioned him as an instrumental leader of multiple successful business turnarounds, delivering growth and profitability while building the capabilities for long-term strategic advantage. Anthony’s leadership journey began as a member of the original ALDI U.K. team that built the foundation for the now leader in the grocery retailing industry from inception; resulting in his ascent to the top operator in just under a decade. His career has taken him from Europe to Asia to the Americas as a senior leader at organizations ranging from ALDI to Walmart to Royal Ahold Group’s Giant Food. He combines three decades of blue-chip grocery and retail leadership with a global, forward-thinking perspective on what it takes to win as a modern retailer. Anthony is a highly sought-after industry speaker, CNBC News contributor and international business school guest lecturer.
Monday January 29, 2024
1:20 PM - 2:00 PM
| Recruiting the Right Talent to Power the New Retail
Bret Taylor
Co-Founder, Sierra
Bret is Co-Founder of Sierra. Most recently, he served as Co-CEO of Salesforce. Prior to Salesforce, Bret founded Quip and was CTO of Facebook. He started his career at Google, where he co-created Google Maps. Bret serves on the board of OpenAI.
Chip Bergh
Board Chair
Chip Bergh is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Levi Strauss & Co., an apparel company. Prior to his time at Levi Strauss & Co., he spent 28 years at The Procter & Gamble Co., where he held a variety of executive roles, including Group President of Global Male Grooming, and managed businesses in multiple regions worldwide.
Mr. Bergh brings to the Board extensive experience in executive leadership at large global companies and international business management. From his more than 40 years at Levi Strauss and Procter & Gamble, Mr. Bergh has a strong operational and strategic background with significant experience in brand management. He also brings public company governance experience as a board member and committee member of other public and private companies.
Mr. Bergh currently serves as director of Pinterest, and previously served as director of VF Corporation and Levi Strauss & Co.
Chris Blakeslee
President & Chief Executive Officer
Chris Blakeslee is the President & CEO of Athleta, the premier activewear and lifestyle brand for women, a role he assumed in August 2023. Since joining the company, Chris has been on a mission to reinvigorate Athleta, focusing on the brand’s culturally relevant purpose- the Power of She, launching innovative products, and activating compelling consumer experiences. Prior to Athleta, Chris was the President of lifestyle brand Alo Yoga and basic activewear sister-brand BELLA+CANVAS for nearly six years. During his tenure, revenues increased by over $1 Billion and Alo Yoga doubled sales annually through a fashion-forward approach to wellness, community-building and brand awareness with high-profile influencers. BELLA+CANVAS also became the market share leader in its category. Prior to leading Alo Yoga and BELLA+CANVAS, he held several senior positions at Broder Brothers (now Alphabroder), the largest wholesale distributor of branded & imprintable apparel. Throughout his career, Chris has led mergers & acquisitions, product engineering, strategy, and complex global operations in both public and PE-backed companies. He also holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.
Tuesday January 28, 2025
10:25 AM - 11:05 AM
| Transcending the Pool
Corie Barry
Chief Executive Officer, Best Buy
Corie Barry is CEO of Best Buy Co. Inc., the leading provider of consumer technology products and services, with over 85,000 employees in North America and more than $43 billion in annual revenue. She also serves on the company’s board of directors.
Prior to becoming CEO in June 2019, Corie served in several other executive positions, playing a critical role in developing and executing the company’s Building the New Blue growth strategy and related transformation. Most recently, she was the company’s chief financial and strategic transformation officer, overseeing strategic transformation and growth, digital and technology, global finance, investor relations, enterprise risk and compliance, integration management, and Best Buy Health.
Corie joined Best Buy in 1999 and has held a variety of financial and operational roles across the organization, both in the field and at the corporate office. She became CFO in 2016 and, prior to that, served as chief strategic growth officer. She has also served as senior vice president of domestic finance and interim president of Best Buy’s services organization.
Before joining Best Buy, Corie started her career as an auditor at Deloitte & Touche.
A Minnesota native, Corie holds bachelor’s degrees in accounting and management from the College of St. Benedict, where she now serves on the board of trustees. Additionally, she serves on the board of directors for Domino’s Pizza.
Dona D. Young
Chair, Board of Directors
Currently, Dona D. Young engages in strategic advising and consulting with a special focus on CEOs, C-suite executives, and boards of directors. Her consulting has also provided her with an opportunity to focus on succession planning for the board and executive leadership, in addition to a range of governance issues. She has worked with a wide range of public, private, and family-owned businesses. Mrs. Young’s current and prior public company board experience spans a range of industries from retail to manufacturing to financial services. Mrs. Young has also spoken widely on a range of issues including leadership, civic engagement, and board and governance matters. In 2008, Mrs. Young retired as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Phoenix Companies, an insurance and asset management company after a nearly 30-year career.
Monday January 29, 2024
3:20 PM - 4:00 PM
| Perspectives from the Boardroom
Elliott Rodgers
Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer
Elliott Rodgers serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Foot Locker, Inc. where he oversees supply chain, technology, procurement, customer contact centers, and Foot Locker’s Leading Education and Economic Development (LEED) Initiative. He has more than 20 years of executive experience in cross-functional leadership positions across technology, supply chain, ecommerce, and omnichannel operations. Most recently, he served in executive leadership roles at Ulta Beauty including Chief Information Officer and Chief Supply Chain Officer. Earlier in his career, he held operational leadership roles at Target, Citibank and the US Army. Elliott currently serves on the Board of Directors of Levi Strauss & Co. and After School Matters, a non-profit organization serving Chicago teens.
Tuesday February 18, 2025
8:40 AM - 9:15 AM
| Accelerating Supply Chain Transformation
Erik Nordstrom
Chief Executive Officer
Erik Nordstrom is the chief executive officer of Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN), a leading fashion retailer dedicated to helping customers feel good and look their best. He is a fourth-generation member of the Nordstrom family. Under Erik’s leadership, the business has grown from $5.1M to more than $15B and has increased its number of stores from 115 to more than 350. Erik has also driven critical investments in new capabilities to blend the digital and physical experiences, bringing Nordstrom closer to customers and serving them how, where and when they want to shop. Prior to becoming CEO, Erik held various positions within Nordstrom. Starting in the stockroom at the downtown Seattle Nordstrom store in 1976, becoming a shoe salesperson in 1979, later moving into buying and regional management positions and leadership roles overseeing all areas of the business, Erik’s career has spanned every aspect of the retail business. Erik has served on the Nordstrom Board of Directors since 2006. He also serves on the Jim Pattison Group Board of Directors, a diversified holding company. A Seattle native and heavily invested in his community, Erik is a Board member for several Seattle-based nonprofits including the Washington Roundtable, KEXP and Challenge Seattle. He serves as a mentor at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. Erik graduated from the University of Washington Foster School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in business.
Monday January 29, 2024
10:20 AM - 11:00 AM
| Delighting Customers in a Rapidly Changing World
George W. Bush
43rd President of the United States & Founder of the George W. Bush Presidential Center
George W. Bush served as 43rd President of the United States of America from 2001 to 2009. As
Commander in Chief, President Bush worked to expand freedom, opportunity, and security at home and
abroad. He entered office with a robust domestic agenda. His first initiative as President was the No Child
Left Behind Act, a bipartisan measure that raised standards in schools, insisted on accountability in
return for federal dollars, and led to measurable gains in achievement – especially among minority
students. Faced with a recession when he took office, President Bush cut taxes for every federal income
taxpayer, which helped lead to an unprecedented 52 straight months of job creation. New free trade
agreements enacted by the Bush Administration opened up American goods and services to new
markets of more than 130 million consumers. Additionally, President Bush worked with Congress to
modernize Medicare with a prescription drug benefit and introduced market forces to the healthcare
system by establishing Health Savings Accounts. The Bush Administration also focused on a variety of
environmental issues, including efforts to reduce emissions and create the world’s largest marine
protected area.
Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, President Bush responded with a comprehensive
strategy to protect the American people and wage a global war on terror. His administration built global
coalitions to remove violent regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq that threatened America, liberating more
than 50 million people from tyranny. Recognizing that liberty and hope are the best alternative to the
extremist ideology of the terrorists, he provided unprecedented American support for young
democracies and dissidents in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and elsewhere. President
Bush also launched global HIV/AIDS and malaria initiatives that have saved millions of lives, particularly
in sub-Saharan Africa.
President Bush grew up in Midland, Texas, as the eldest son of Barbara and George H.W. Bush – later the
41st President of the United States. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University and a
master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. President Bush also served as
a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. Following business school, he returned to Midland and met Laura
Welch. They were married in 1977. After working in the energy business in West Texas for several years,
President Bush moved to Dallas and joined a group of partners that purchased the Texas Rangers
baseball franchise. In 1995, he was sworn in as the 46th Governor of Texas.
After the Presidency, President and Mrs. Bush founded the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas,
Texas. The Bush Center is home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the George
W. Bush Institute, a nonpartisan public policy and leadership development center that engages
communities across the United States and around the world by developing leaders, advancing policy, and
taking action to solve today’s most pressing challenges.
President Bush is the author of four bestselling books: Decision Points (2010), 41: A Portrait of My Father
(2014), Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors (2017), and Out of
Many, One: Portraits of America’s Immigrants (2021).
He and Laura are the parents of twin daughters: Barbara, married to Craig Coyne, and Jenna, married to
Henry Hager. The Bushes also are the proud grandparents of Margaret Laura “Mila”, Poppy Louise, Henry
Harold “Hal” Hager, and Cora Georgia Coyne. The Bush family also includes two cats, Bob and Bernadette, as well as Freddy the dog.
Tuesday January 30, 2024
10:25 AM - 11:15 AM
| Conversation with President George W. Bush
Hal Lawton
President & Chief Executive Officer
Hal Lawton has served as President and CEO of Tractor Supply Company since January 2020 and is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, with nearly 2,400 stores, more than 50,000 team members, and a Fortune 500 ranking of 296. The Company’s Store Support Center is located in Brentwood, Tennessee. Since joining, Hal has guided the continued expansion of Tractor Supply and advanced the Life Out Here strategy to deliver long-term, sustainable growth.
Before Tractor Supply, Hal held leadership roles across retail and e-commerce, including serving as President of Macy’s and Senior Vice President for eBay North America. Earlier in his career, he spent a decade at The Home Depot in merchandising and online leadership roles, and started his career as an associate principal at McKinsey and Company.
Hal grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, and holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Pulp and Paper Science Technology from North Carolina State University and an MBA from the University of Virginia. He serves on the boards of Wayfair and Sealed Air, and is also a board member of the National Retail Federation and the Business Roundtable.
Tuesday February 3, 2026
8:00 AM - 8:40 AM
| Delivering on the Promise of Rural Retail
Helena Foulkes
Board Director, Costco
Helena Foulkes is a lifelong Rhode Islander and dedicated leader with a passion for education, healthcare, and making government work for the people it serves. Undeterred by her razor-thin loss for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Rhode Island in 2022, she has redoubled her efforts to become the state’s chief executive in 2026. Helena is a purpose-driven leader who makes a significant difference in the organizations and industries she serves. After receiving her BA and MBA from Harvard, she began her career at CVS health in 1992, creating store layouts from her office cubicle; 22 years later, she was President of CVS Pharmacy, leading 200,000 employees across the country. During her tenure, Helena developed CVS’s popular loyalty program, drove the company’s digital innovation, and most significantly, removed tobacco products from all CVS stores. The company’s bottom line took a hit, but she knew it was the right thing for a healthcare company to do. The decision was particularly meaningful to Helena as she had lost her mother to lung cancer only five years prior…and it’s a poignant example of how she leads with both “head and heart.” In 1999, a year after the birth of her fourth child, Helena was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The experience of undergoing treatment as a working parent is her daily reminder of the hard, hidden burdens we all carry and the power of empathy to create healing and hope. After leaving CVS, Helena was CEO and a board member of Hudson’s Bay Company from February 2018 to March 2020. She currently serves on several boards in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Helena has received numerous professional honors, including being named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business list four times and Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business.
Monday January 27, 2025
11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
| Boardroom Insights: How Boards are Navigating Today’s Biggest Challenges
Ian Bremmer
Global Affairs Expert
Ian Bremmer is a political scientist who helps business leaders, policymakers, and the general public make sense of the world around them.
Ian is president and founder of Eurasia Group, the world's leading global research and advisory firm, and GZERO Media, a digital media company providing intelligent and engaging news coverage of international affairs. Ian is an independent voice on critical issues around the globe, offering clearheaded insights through speeches, written commentary, and even satirical puppets (really!).
Ian is credited with bringing the craft of political risk to financial markets, and for establishing it as an academic discipline. His definition of emerging markets— “those countries where politics matters at least as much as economics for market outcomes”—has become an industry standard. “G-Zero,” his term for a global power vacuum in which no country is willing and able to set the international agenda, is widely used by policymakers and thought leaders.
A prolific writer, Ian is the author of eleven books, including The New York Times bestsellers “Us vs. Them: The Failure of Globalism,” which examines the rise of populism across the world, and his latest book, “The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats—and Our Response—Will Change the World,” which considers looming global crises (health emergencies, climate change, and technological revolution) and their potential to create global prosperity and opportunity.
Ian is foreign affairs columnist and editor at large for Time magazine and the host of GZERO World with Ian Bremmer, a global affairs program that airs weekly on US public television. Uniquely positioned to bring unbiased analysis on complex geopolitical issues, Ian is a frequent guest on leading broadcast television, digital news, and podcasts— from CNN and MSNBC to FOX and Newsmax— as well as key international media.
In 2023-2024, Ian served as rapporteur of the UN High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, whose 2024 report marked the first global initiative to address AI-related risks and sharing its transformative potential globally.
Ian holds a master's degree and a doctorate in political science from Stanford University and a bachelor's degree in international relations from Tulane University. He currently teaches at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and previously was a professor at New York University. Ian is also a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
He lives in New York City with his wife Ann and their wily Norfolk Terrier, Moose.
J.K. Symancyk
Chief Executive Officer
J.K. Symancyk is CEO of Signet Jewelers. He brings over 30 years of retail industry experience across a diverse range of categories and has spent his career in large-scale organizations. Symancyk most recently served for six years as CEO of PetSmart, Inc., overseeing a growth plan and accelerating the company's leadership through proprietary brand development, services expansion, loyalty program creation, and digital and supply chain capabilities enhancements.
Previously, Symancyk served as CEO of Academy Sports + Outdoors from 2015 to 2018, where he led a return to growth and strategic positioning for the company's initial public offering, refining the merchandise strategy and resetting major infrastructure to support a national omnichannel footprint. From 2006 to 2015, Symancyk held roles of increasing responsibility at Meijer, a supercenter chain throughout the Midwest, including Group Vice President, EVP Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Operating officer and President. Symancyk began his career with 12 years at Walmart where he held various leadership roles, ultimately serving from 2004 to 2006 as Divisional Merchandise Manager, Sam's Club Division. Symancyk currently is a member of the Retail Industry Leaders Association and serves on the Board of Directors of Bath & Body Works, Inc. He previously served as a director at Chewy, Inc., from April 2019 to July 2021, and GameStop Corp., from March 2020 to June 2021. Symancyk graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Joe Preston
President
Joe Preston is President & CEO of New Balance Athletics, Inc. Prior to this, he served as Chief Commercial Officer, Executive Vice President Global Product and Marketing, Executive Vice President International, Vice President Asia Pacific and Sr. Product Manager for Running and Lifestyle since joining New Balance in 1995.
New Balance, a multi-national $4 billion brand has more than 7,500 associates around the globe, with 400 company-owned retail locations and 3,400 New Balance locations operated by third parties.
Preston earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Merrimack College and an MBA from Babson Graduate School of Business. Preston is Chair of the non-profit The Sports Museum in Boston, and a board member of the Two Ten Foundation, the AAFA and AFFOA.
Monday January 27, 2025
2:20 PM - 3:00 PM
| Retail Insights from Abroad
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Actor, Producer, Host & Activist
Katie Ledecky
9-Time Olympic Gold Medal Winning Swimmer
One of the most dominant athletes the world has seen and among the most celebrated of her generation, Katie Ledecky is a 14-time Olympic medalist and 21-time World Champion — the most of any female swimmer. A record-shattering, history-making athlete, Ledecky has reached undeniable “G.O.A.T.” status with the same speed and tenacity that led to her breaking 16 world records and 37 American records. A four-time Olympian with nine gold medals, four silver medals and one bronze, she is the most-decorated female U.S. Olympian of all time in individual events, with nine individual Olympic gold medals, who made her debut as the breakout star and youngest American Olympian at the 2012 games at age 15. She continues to make waves and inspire the masses with her achievements both in and out of the pool. Her memoir, Just Add Water (published by Simon & Schuster), draws from journal entries she has been keeping since the age of 14 to take readers behind the scenes of her journey to becoming an iconic swimmer, while also sharing stories of love, support, and overcoming obstacles that anyone will be able to relate to.
Ledecky became the most-decorated U.S. female athlete for her fourth consecutive Olympics when she won four medals overall (two individual golds, a relay silver, and an individual bronze) at the 2024 Paris Olympics, again making history by holding the 30 fastest times in the women’s 800m freestyle and the 20 fastest times in the 1500m freestyle. In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she also won four medals overall (two gold and two silver), making history by winning the gold in the first-ever women’s 1500-meter freestyle, and becoming the first-ever to three-peat in the 800-meter freestyle. Four years prior, at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she delivered an all-time performance, breaking two world records while winning four gold medals and one silver medal overall — becoming the most successful U.S. female athlete ever at a single Olympics. Ledecky’s Olympic legend began at the 2012 London Olympic Games, where she was the youngest U.S. Olympic athlete at just 15-years-old. Showing confidence and maturity beyond her years, she delivered a statement win in the 800-meter freestyle race during the London Games, beating out a field of more experienced competitors by four seconds to win her first gold medal.
Ledecky’s success has earned her USA Swimming’s Golden Goggles Award as Female Swimmer of the Year an unprecedented eight times, AP Female Athlete of the Year twice, ESPY Awards for Best Female Athlete and Best Female Olympian, and countless other accolades. She has been featured in leading publications and news outlets worldwide, and was the youngest person named to the Time 100 list in 2016.
Between the 2016 and 2020 Games, Ledecky attended Stanford University where she won eight NCAA titles, broke 15 NCAA records, led the swim team to back-to-back NCAA Team Championships, and earned various individual honors, including being named Division I’s Academic All-American of the year.
Tuesday January 28, 2025
10:25 AM - 11:05 AM
| Transcending the Pool
Ken Hicks
Chief Executive Officer
Ken C. Hicks has served as the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors since June 2023. Mr. Hicks joined the company in May 2018 as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hicks has served as a member of the Board of Directors since June 2020 and served as a member of the Board of Managers of New Academy Holding Company, LLC from May 2017 until June 2020. Mr. Hicks previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer at Foot Locker, Inc. from August 2009 until February 2010, and also served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Foot Locker, Inc. from February 2010 until November 2014, and as Executive Chairman at Foot Locker, Inc. from December 2014 until May 2015. Prior to joining Foot Locker, Inc., Mr. Hicks held senior positions at J.C. Penney Company, Inc., Payless ShoeSource, Home Shopping Network, May Department Stores Company, and McKinsey & Company. Currently, Mr. Hicks serves as Chairman of the Guitar Center Company’s Board of Directors, and he has also served on the board of directors of Avery Dennison Corporation since July 2007. Previously, Mr. Hicks served on the board of directors and its Compensation Committee of Whole Foods Market, Inc. from May 2017 until August 2017. Mr. Hicks graduated from the United States Military Academy located in West Point, NY, and served in the U.S. Army. He also earned a Master of Business Administration with highest distinction from Harvard Business School.
Monday January 29, 2024
9:20 AM - 10:00 AM
| CEO Leadership Spotlight: Ken Hicks, Executive Chairman, Academy Sports + Outdoors
Mark Breitbard
CEO
Mark Breitbard leads Gap, one of the world's most iconic apparel brands and the authority on American casual style. In addition, he is responsible for the company's Franchise, Strategic Alliances and Licensing business, Intermix and Janie and Jack.
Mark is a leader with clear vision and the proven ability to drive transformation and innovation. He has more than 25 years of retail leadership experience, serving in numerous product, creative and management roles at major global brands. He began leading Gap global in 2020 and has laid a foundation to turn the brand around through new positioning and a new operating model. Mark held leadership positions across Gap and was instrumental in delivering the product-led resurgence of Gap's North America business between 2010-2013.
In 2017, he rejoined Gap Inc. as CEO and President for Banana Republic and during that time stabilized the business and launched new access points, including a rental subscription service, Style Passport, a partnership with thredUP, the world's largest fashion resale platform, as well as the acquisition of Janie & Jack in 2019.
Prior to this, Mark served as chief executive officer at The Gymboree Corporation from 2013 until early 2017. From 2010 to 2013, Mark held leadership positions across Gap North America, where he was instrumental in delivering the product-led resurgence of Gap's North America business. He also served as chief merchandising and creative officer of Old Navy from 2009 to early 2010. Previously, Mark served in leadership roles at Levi Strauss & Co. and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Mark graduated from Vassar College and earned a Master of Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
Monday January 27, 2025
3:20 PM - 4:00 PM
| Creating Exceptional Customer Experience
Melissa Etheridge
Grammy Award Winning Singer & Songwriter
Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as “Bring Me Some Water,” “No Souvenirs” and “Ain’t It Heavy,” for which she won a Grammy in 1992. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album, Yes I Am (1993). The collection featured the massive hits, “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest charting album, Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single, “I Want to Come Over.” Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the “Songwriter of the Year” honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.
Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singers for more than two decades. In February 2007, she celebrated a career milestone with a victory in the “Best Song” category at the Academy Awards for “I Need to Wake Up,” written for the Al Gore documentary on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. As a performer and songwriter, Etheridge has shown herself to be an artist who has never allowed “inconvenient truths” to keep her down. Earlier in her recording career, Etheridge acknowledged her sexual orientation when it was considered less than prudent to do so. In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer, a health battle that, with her typical tenacity, she won. Despite losing her hair from chemotherapy, Etheridge appeared on the 2005 Grammy telecast to sing “Piece of My Heart” in tribute to Janis Joplin. By doing so she gave hope to many women afflicted with the disease.
On October 7, 2016 Melissa Etheridge released Memphis Rock & Soul, her first album since 2014’s critically lauded This Is M.E. Recorded at Royal Studios in Memphis, the album received stellar reviews from the likes of Entertainment Weekly, Parade, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter and more. She followed that up with the release of The Medicine Show in April, 2019. For The Medicine Show, Melissa reunited with celebrated producer John Shanks and sounds as rousing as ever, bringing a new level of artistry to her 15th studio recording.
In June of 2020, Etheridge launched The Etheridge Foundation to support groundbreaking scientific research into effective new treatments for opioid use disorder. The Foundation works towards advancing treatment approaches that address the root causes of opioid abuse and make available better, more effective solutions for people to truly heal their opioid use disorder.
In 2021, Melissa returned with then album One Way Out. The 9-track album is a collection of songs Etheridge wrote in the late ’80s and early ’90s that never made the cut… .until now! The time was finally right, and fans finally got a deeper glimpse to who Melissa was then. October 2022 saw Melissa’s return to the theatre with her one woman show, My Window — A Journey Through Life. The critically acclaimed, sold-out run premiered at New World Stages on October 13 and opened at Circle In the Square Theatre on Broadway in September 2023.
2024 saw Melissa release Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken, a two-part docuseries (Paramount+) and accompanying live album. Recorded live within the grounds of the Topeka Correctional Facility the album and two-part docuseries follows her journey both penning and performing an original song inspired by her correspondence with residents of the TCF and features raw and rousing versions of specially curated fan favorites and original songs.
Monday January 27, 2025
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
| Building a Deep Connection with Your Audience
Niraj Shah
Chief Executive Officer, Co-Chairman & Co-Founder
Mr. Shah is our co-founder and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board since 2002. Prior to founding Wayfair, Mr. Shah served as Chief Executive Officer for Simplify Mobile Corporation, an enterprise software company he co-founded in 2001, and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Greylock Partners, a venture capital firm, in 2001. Mr. Shah served in various roles at iXL Enterprises, Inc., including as Chief Operating Officer and a director, from 1998 to 2000, and as Chief Executive Officer of Spinners Incorporated, an IT consulting company he co-founded, from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Shah received a B.S. from Cornell University.
Pamela Stewart
Chief Customer Officer – Retail North America Operating Unit
Pamela Stewart has spent 20 years across the Coca-Cola System in various key senior leadership roles in the areas of global, national and regional sales; operations; finance; revenue growth management; foodservice on premise and B2B retail business segments. She currently is President, West Operations for the North America Operating Unit at The Coca-Cola Company responsible for 81M consumers, 600+ customers, 25+ bottlers, franchise leadership and all routes to market for the West geography. Prior to this, Pam led large global and U.S.-based retail customers as Senior Vice President, National Retail Sales at The Coca-Cola Company. Prior to Coca-Cola, she spent several years in finance across the Telecommunications industry. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of GLAAD, Board member of 3DE by Junior Achievement, Board member of Coca-Cola’s Global Women’s Leadership Council and Co-Chair of one of Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Advisory Councils. Beyond her undergraduate and graduate business degrees from Georgia State University and Oglethorpe University and her Harvard Business School executive education certification, Pam also is a proud graduate of the GCLS Writing Academy and Leadership Atlanta.
Monday January 29, 2024
1:20 PM - 2:00 PM
| Recruiting the Right Talent to Power the New Retail
Phil Daniele
President and Chief Executive Officer, AutoZone
Philip B. Daniele, III was named President and Chief Executive Officer and appointed to the Board of Directors on January 2, 2024. Previously, Mr. Daniele served as Executive Vice President – Merchandising, Marketing and Supply Chain from 2021 to 2023 and Senior Vice President – Commercial from 2015 to 2021. Mr. Daniele has also held several other key management positions with the Company, including Vice President – Commercial Support, Vice President – Merchandising and Divisional Vice President – Store Operations.
Rob Olson
Chief Operating Officer
Rob Olson has built a successful and rewarding career as an innovative and values-led leader for the world’s most beloved home furnishings brand. As Chief Operating Officer of IKEA U.S., he oversees the overall business direction for the retail locations, in addition to business development and expansion. Leading by example, he inspires IKEA co-workers to live out the IKEA vision—to create a better everyday life for the many people.
Rob joined IKEA in 1998 as a Business Navigator at the IKEA Schaumburg store, where he later served as Store Manager. His previous leadership roles at IKEA U.S. include Store Manager at IKEA Woodbridge, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. He has also been the Real Estate Manager for Ingka Group, based in Malmo, Sweden, where he focused on new locations in order to become more accessible to the many, as well as improving sustainability through energy-saving solutions.
Monday January 27, 2025
2:20 PM - 3:00 PM
| Retail Insights from Abroad
Russell Weiner
Chief Executive Officer
Russell Weiner has served as Domino's chief executive officer since May 2022. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer and president - Domino's U.S. from July 2020 to April 2022, during which he oversaw Domino's U.S. business in addition to the global centers of excellence teams that support operations, development, marketing, innovation, analytics and insight, communications, and technology in more than 90 countries. Weiner was first named to the newly-created position of COO and president of the Americas in July 2018. Prior to becoming COO, Weiner served as president of Domino's USA from October 2014 to July 2018, after joining the company as executive vice president - chief marketing officer in 2008. His impact on reshaping the Domino's brand over that time was tremendous. Weiner led the award-winning “pizza turnaround” campaign, which became central to Domino's success, and was named Brandweek's 2010 Marketer of the Year in the restaurant category. During Russell's tenure (2008-2021) on the U.S. business, retail sales grew from approximately $3 billion to more than $8 billion and store count grew by over 25% - more than doubling Domino's market share of QSR pizza in the U.S. Domino's digital mix in the U.S. also grew from 11.5% of sales to more than 75%. Weiner is responsible for leading several innovations throughout the company, including reformulating more than 80% of the brand's menu and the creation of its "pizza theater" store design. He oversaw the launch of the DXP pizza delivery vehicle, testing of autonomous delivery platforms, and numerous digital innovations, including Domino's AnyWare platform. Prior to joining Domino's in 2008, Weiner oversaw marketing for Pepsi's North American cola business. Weiner earned a Bachelor of Arts in government from Cornell University, and an MBA in marketing and international business from New York University's Stern School of Business. He has served on Domino's board of directors since April 2022, and also serves on the board of directors of The Clorox Company.
Monday January 29, 2024
10:20 AM - 11:00 AM
| Delighting Customers in a Rapidly Changing World
Sandra Cochran
Board Member, Lowe's
Scott Baxter
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Scott Baxter is President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Kontoor. He has served on the Board since the inception of Kontoor Brands in August 2019. Mr. Baxter was named CEO of Kontoor Brands in August 2018 and led the newly formed corporation through a spinoff from VF Corporation into an independent, publicly traded company. Mr. Baxter has more than 30 years of experience in retail, operations, marketing, merchandising, sales and manufacturing, including extensive executive leadership experience. Prior to being named CEO of Kontoor, Mr. Baxter was Group President, Americas West, for VF. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing brands such as The North Face® and Vans®. Mr. Baxter’s previous leadership roles at VF also included Group President, Outdoor & Action Sports, Americas and Vice President, VF Corporation & Group President, Jeanswear, Imagewear and South America. Mr. Baxter joined VF in 2007 as the President of the Licensed Sports Group. In 2008, he was named Coalition President for the Imagewear coalition, which comprised the Image and Licensed Sports Group divisions.
Prior to these leadership roles, Mr. Baxter served as Senior Vice President of The Home Depot Company, leading the Services Division. He also previously served as Executive Vice President of Edward Don & Company and held a series of leadership roles with Nestle and PepsiCo. Mr. Baxter serves on the board of directors for Lowe's, one of the largest home improvement retailers in the world. An active member of the community, Mr. Baxter is on the Executive Committee of the board for the Piedmont Triad Partnership. Mr. Baxter holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Tuesday January 28, 2025
9:00 AM - 10:05 AM
| View from Wall Street
Steve Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer
Steve currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of L.L. Bean. Steve began his career in 1992 at J. Walter Thompson. Following a decade of working in merchandising, marketing and customer relationships for companies including Resort Sports Network, Hannaford Supermarket and the Delhaize Group, Steve joined Walmart International in 2011.
He held a variety of leadership roles for Walmart China, Asda (a Walmart-owned food, fashion and general merchandise business in the United Kingdom) and Yihaodian (part of Walmart Global eCommerce – a Shanghai e-commerce business).
Steve Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer
Steve currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of L.L. Bean. Steve began his career in 1992 at J. Walter Thompson. Following a decade of working in merchandising, marketing and customer relationships for companies including Resort Sports Network, Hannaford Supermarket and the Delhaize Group, Steve joined Walmart International in 2011.
He held a variety of leadership roles for Walmart China, Asda (a Walmart-owned food, fashion and general merchandise business in the United Kingdom) and Yihaodian (part of Walmart Global eCommerce – a Shanghai e-commerce business).
Monday January 27, 2025
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
| Building a Deep Connection with Your Audience
Susan Morris
Chief Executive Officer
Susan Morris is the Chief Executive Officer of Albertsons Companies, Inc., a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. In this role, Susan leads the Company’s growth and innovation through the accelerated strategy to earn Customers for Life, with a focus on digital engagement in e-commerce, loyalty, pharmacy and health, and in-store, as well as connecting retail brands with shoppers around the joys of food through the Albertsons Media Collective.
Four decades ago, Susan began her career at a customer service desk at an Albertsons store in the Denver market. Today, she is an accomplished leader with a deep knowledge of all aspects of the retail grocery business. Throughout her career, she has invested in the personal and professional growth of associates and led high-performing teams that continually raise the bar for Albertsons Cos. customers and the communities they serve.
Before becoming CEO, Susan served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer from 2018 to 2025. She led the retail operations of the Company and oversaw more than 2,200 stores across 35 states.
Her experience also includes serving as Executive Vice President of Regional Operations, Division President in two markets, and various other leadership roles across merchandising and operations.
She serves on the Boards of Directors of IDACORP, Inc. (NYSE: IDA) and the Food Marketing Institute. Previously she served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Albertsons Companies Foundation, which is committed to reducing food insecurity and lifting up communities the Company serves.
Tasia Filippatos
President
As president of Disney Consumer Products, Tasia Filippatos leads the team of world-class product, licensing and retail experts, artists, storytellers, and technologists who bring the iconic stories and beloved characters of The Walt Disney Company to life through immersive products and experiences enjoyed by millions of fans, families and guests each day. Under her leadership, DCP creates and delivers products across a variety of channels, including Disney Store, Disney Parks, and retail and e-commerce partners, as well as the world's largest licensing organization spanning numerous categories. DCP is also home to the company's games and interactive experiences businesses, and Disney Publishing Worldwide, one of the worldʼs largest publishing brands of childrenʼs books and magazines. Prior to becoming president of DCP, Tasia oversaw the DCP business in Europe, Middle East and Africa as Senior Vice President. There, she drove the development of commercial strategies spanning all product categories including toys, fashion, publishing and games across the region, and oversaw the in-person retail locations and e-commerce platform for Disney Store in Europe. Tasia joined the EMEA team in October 2018 after leading global communications and public affairs teams for both Disney Experiences and Disney Consumer Products, and Interactive Media. In these roles, she drove transformative change across these global functions, instilling a business-driven communications approach to enhance the Disney brand. Tasia is a member of the CEOʼs Diversity & Inclusion Council. She currently also sits on the Board of Directors for global charity Make-A-Wish International and serves on the Development Board of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company in 2008, Tasia served in a number of senior level government positions in Washington, D.C., and began her career as a litigation attorney. She is an honors graduate of Claremont McKenna College and received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Monday January 27, 2025
3:20 PM - 4:00 PM
| Creating Exceptional Customer Experience
Ted Decker
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Ted Decker is chair, president and CEO of The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer with more than 2,300 stores and 500,000 associates. He is also a member of the company’s board of directors. Under Ted’s leadership, The Home Depot is creating a seamless interconnected shopping experience for Pro and DIY customers, while championing the company’s unique culture. From 2020 to 2022, Ted served as president and chief operating officer and was responsible for global store operations, global supply chain, outside sales and service, real estate, as well as merchandising, marketing and online strategy. While he was in this role, the company enhanced capabilities to blend the online and in-store worlds and better serve customers however they choose to shop. Previously, Ted served as chief merchant and executive vice president of merchandising for more than six years, where he was responsible for store and online merchandising departments, merchandising strategy, marketing and vendor management and in-store environment. Ted joined The Home Depot in 2000 as director of business valuation. Over the past 22 years, he has held several strategic positions across the company including senior director of business valuation, vice president, senior vice president of strategic business development and senior vice president of retail finance. His experience across the business enables him to blend the art and science of retail.
Monday January 29, 2024
4:20 PM - 5:30 PM
| State of Retail in 2024
Tim Ingrassia
Co-Chairman, Global Mergers & Acquisitions, IBD
Tim is co-chairman of Global Mergers & Acquisitions in the Investment Banking Division (IBD). He was a founding member of the IBD Client and Business Standards Committee. Prior to assuming his current role in 2011, Tim served as head of Mergers & Acquisitions in the Americas. From 2002 through 2008, he was global head of the Consumer Retail Group in Investment Banking. Before that, Tim was co-chief operating officer in the Communications, Media and Entertainment Department in New York. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1986 as part of the two-year analyst program and worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions Department until 1997. Tim was named managing director in 1996 and partner in 1998. Tim serves on the Jefferson Scholarship Foundation at the University of Virginia (UVA) and has been a member of the Board of Managers at UVA. He has served on numerous Brooklyn based philanthropic boards, including the Endowment Trust Board at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Board of Trustees of the Brooklyn Public Library. Tim earned a BA from the University of Virginia in 1986.
Monday January 29, 2024
4:20 PM - 5:30 PM
| State of Retail in 2024
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