Next Generation Class of 2019

Ambitious students from more than 40 NRF member schools competed to represent the next generation of retail leaders. The students below received travel stipends to attend the NRF Foundation Student Program at NRF 2019: Retail's Big Show and the NRF Foundation Gala in New York City.

Retail executives from 20 companies selected 25 semi-finalists who competed in a second round of judging for a chance to be selected as a finalist. The top recipient was announced at the NRF Foundation Gala and received a $25,000 scholarship; four finalists each received $10,000 scholarships. 

Related Press Releases: 

25 Students Named Semi-Finalists for NRF Foundation's 2019 Next Generation Scholarship

NRF Foundation Gala raises over $3.2 million to shape future talent in retail

Finalists

Maryum Abdul-Hakeem
Maryum Abdul-Hakeem

Savannah College of Art & Design - Atlanta

Manu Garikipati

Texas A&M University

Manu Garikipati
Aine Mattera
Aine Mattera

Indiana University

Lauryn-Ashley Solomon

Kent State University

Lauryn-Ashley Solomon
Kelsey White
Kelsey White

LIM College

 

 

Semi-finalists

Collier Barksdale
Collier Barksdale
University of Georgia
Raquel Benjamin
Raquel Benjamin
Savannah College of Art & Design - Savannah
Mary Cayten Brakefield
Mary Cayten Brakefield
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Abigail Dolbeer
Abigail Dolbeer
Indiana University
Rachel Duerksen
Rachel Duerksen
University of Minnesota
Mariel Emery
Mariel Emery
Florida State University
Tori Hunger
Tori Hunger
University of Iowa
Marie Johnson
Marie Johnson
Meredith College
Faith Knox
Faith Knox
Texas A&M University
Ali Lausch
Allison Lausch
University of South Carolina
Olivia Mannion
Olivia Mannion
Santa Clara University
Rebecca Olsen
Rebecca Olsen
East Carolina University
Grant Plotkin
Grant Plotkin
Parsons School of Design
Tori Sandness
Charlotte Sandness
LIM College
Ellie Smith
Elizabeth Smith
Fashion Institue of Design & Merchandising
Spradley
Kimberly Spradley
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Tinka Weener
Tinka Weener
Fashion Institue of Design & Merchandising
Jorja West
Jorja West
Texas Woman's University