Light the Way for Retail's Future

NRF Foundation Board Chair and Goodwill Industries President and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Preston, and National Retail Federation Board Chair and BJ’s Wholesale Club Chairman and CEO, Bob Eddy, host the 2026 NRF Foundation Honors.

The NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship is the highest honor the NRF Foundation bestows upon an undergraduate, featuring a top award of. $25,000. The 2022 NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship recipient and Gucci Team Leader, Robert Davidson Long, shares the impact of the NRF Foundation on his retail journey and the 2025 NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship recipient and NRF Foundation Board Member, Miri Chan, announces the 2026 top finalists.

The NRF Foundation University Challenge Scholarship is a team business competition that provides undergraduates with real-world experience and awards $30,000 to the top team. NRF Foundation Board Member and Amazon Vice President of People eXperience Technology, Tonya Hallett, introduces the 2026 NRF Foundation University Challenge top 3 teams and members of the 2025 NRF Foundation University Challenge Top Team, Columbia College Chicago, announce the Top Team.

Each year the NRF Foundation honors a partner who exemplifies an extraordinary collaboration with the use of RISE Up retail training and credentialing to prepare students to begin a career in retail. The 2025 NRF Foundation RISE Up Partner of the Year, College of the Florida Keys, Dr. Nina Medyk shares the impact of this award, and National Retail Federation Board Member and Old Navy President and CEO, Haio Barbeito, presents the 2026 NRF Foundation RISE Up Partner of the Year, The Door, located in NYC.

NRF Foundation Executive Director and NRF Senior Vice President, Adam Lukoskie, shares insights from the NRF Foundation.

The inaugural NRF Foundation Store Leader Spotlight celebrates retail leaders who exemplify brand values, develop teams, invest in the community, lead by example, and deliver results.

The List of People Shaping Retail's Future is a dynamic group of retail leaders creating opportunities and sparking innovation. National Retail Federation board member and American Express President of U.S. Merchant Services, Colleen Taylor, and NRF Foundation board member and PwC Vice Chair of Consumer Markets, Barbra Bukovac, introduce the 2026 members of The List: Brieane Olson (Pacsun), Billy May (Brooklinen), Scot McBride (American Eagle Outfitters Inc.), Kory Marchisotto (e.l.f. Beauty), and Kathleen McLaughlin (Walmart).

National Retail Federation President and CEO, Matthew Shay, shares insights from the National Retail Federation.

The Visionary is the most coveted award in retail. For more than 100 years, the National Retail Federation has honored an individual who has served the industry with distinction throughout their career. Introduced by Abbey Bonadies and Matt Bonadies, the 2026 Visionary is Fran Horowitz.