Kicking off the NRF Foundation Student Program, where students and recent graduates can hear directly from industry leaders and retail experts on the trends, strategies, and innovations taking place in retail today.

Walmart’s first-ever Chief Talent Officer Lorraine "Lo" Stomski, PwC Partner & Vice Chair of Consumer Markets Barbra Bukovac and NRF Foundation Executive Director Adam Lukoskie will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of early talent development. Together, they'll discuss emerging strategies for preparing the next generation of the workforce and the evolving role of AI in the hiring journey.

NRF Vice President of Marketing & Technology Alexander Chororos shares the five things you need to know about marketing tech as you pursue a career in retail.

We are living in the midst of the greatest change in human history. How will you respond to this cultural storm? Is it important to find meaning in your life’s work? How could a radical concept called LifeWear possibly be a source of inspiration and creativity for your future? As our world is increasingly focused on optimization and efficiency, where can you still be human? Are you willing to unlearn in order to learn again?

Join John C. Jay in a conversation not about a job, but the possibility to work towards a future you can be proud of.

NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship 2025 top recipient and Ralph Lauren Emerging Platforms & Media Transformation Assistant Miri Chan shares the five things you need to know about applying for NRF Foundation scholarships.

Drawing from their personal journeys, these dynamic young professionals will share what inspired their passion for retail, how participation in NRF Foundation scholarship programs shaped their careers, and the key steps they took to prepare for the transition from college to full-time work. The panelists will also explore how early-career professionals can drive change, the lessons they've learned, and the valuable advice they have for students preparing to enter the workforce.

NRF Director of Research Lindsey Henry shares the five things you need to know about research and consumer insights as you pursue a career in retail.

Detria Courtalis, VP of Sales at Pandora North America, brings her signature spark to this energizing session about what it really means to build a career in retail. With bold insights, real talk, and a people-first leadership style, she shares how embracing challenges, staying unapologetically authentic, and leading with purpose has helped her thrive in a fast-moving industry. Her story mirrors the evolution of modern retail; ever-changing, deeply human, and full of opportunity.

Get ready to bust outdated myths, celebrate the teams who keep the industry moving, and be reminded that growth isn’t a destination; it’s a mindset!

NRF Senior Director of AI and Technology Policy Caroline Reppert shares the five things you need to know about cybersecurity and AI as you pursue a career in retail.

AI is transforming every part of retail, from product search & discovery to supply chain and operations. In this conversation, Daydream Co-Founder & Chief Brands Officer Lisa Yamner and Gap Inc. Vice President of Information Technology Tamesha Henry explore how emerging technologies and established retail expertise come together to create new customer experiences.

Sheena Butler-Young, Senior Correspondent from The Business of Fashion, moderates the session, highlighting how both Daydream and Gap are working to test and reshape what’s possible, the realities of implementing innovation at scale, and what these shifts mean for the future of shopping.

NRF Vice President of CSR & Sustainability Scot Case shares the five things you need to know about sustainability as you pursue a retail career.

Retail is undergoing a transformation — and it needs bold thinkers like you. In this session, Julia Furnari, Executive Director of the Tapestry and Coach Foundation, explores how the industry is tackling big challenges — from sustainability to supporting the next generation — and how today’s leading brands are actively engaging with the issues that matter most.

Whether you're interested in product development, merchandising, planning, or just discovering your path, learn how your career in retail can contribute to a more purpose-driven future. Julia will take you inside her daily work, share real-world challenges, and show how every role in retail—no matter the title—can be a force for good.

If you're curious, creative, and ready to make an impact, this session will inspire you to see retail not just as a job, but as a platform for change.

For more than 50 years, Zara and Inditex have stayed true to the vision of their founder, Amancio Ortega: creating quality fashion for everyone. This vision continues to thrive thanks to the talent, dedication, and innovative spirit of the people who make up our teams.

At Inditex, professional growth knows no limits, and the career path of Dilip Patel — who began working in stores and went on to lead Zara in the UK and now the United States — is proof of that. Focusing on people, empowering them, and offering new challenges is what fuels Inditex’s continued growth and evolution.

NRF Foundation board members American Express Global Client Group Vice President and General Manager Ann Sattin and Best Buy Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer Mark Irvin kick off the NRF Foundation Executive Mentor Experience.

Learn how mentorship shaped Mark's career journey and why he chose to join and remain part of the retail industry.

NRF Foundation board member and PwC Vice Chairman Barbra Bukovac introduces a session featuring members of the PwC team: Hunter Thomas, Director, Advisory; Max Glockman, Senior Manager, Consumer Markets, and Jill Noeh, Senior Manager, Merchandising & Retail Operations Advisory.

An energetic and interactive 60-minute session designed to inspire the next generation of retail leaders and explore how AI is reshaping merchandising. Through storytelling, live discussion, and hands-on problem solving, students will discover how creativity, data, and empathy combine to define the 'merchant of the future’.