Leading by example and delivering results
Elivette Sanabria, Store Leader Spotlight honoree, stands in her Burlington store in Puerto Rico.
){kind=logo}
The NRF Foundation is shining the spotlight on store leaders who embody their brand’s values, inspire their teams, and make meaningful impacts on their customers and communities.
Nominees are leaders who drive team growth and development, lead high-performing stores, and demonstrate excellence through both business results and people-first leadership.
To nominate your store leader for our 2028 NRF Foundation Store Leader Spotlight, share their leadership journey, scope of responsibility, and the tangible impact they’ve made within your organization.
Meet five amazing store leaders who will be recognized at the 2027 NRF Foundation Honors for their leadership journeys and the tangible impact that they've made within their companies.
Tractor Supply Company Store Manager
Winder, GA
For Savannah Clark, that universal impact of retail turned an unexpected college job into the beginning of a lasting retail career. She was drawn to the lifestyle and community that Tractor Supply Company embodies and supports, and she now serves as a store leader in Winder, Georgia.
Like many of her friends and family members, she began working at Tractor Supply Company to support their farms and families through the employee discount. "I didn’t think I would be here 10 years later, but here I am," she said.
Pandora Store Manager
Harlem, NY
Community has always been at the center of Ebony Davis’s leadership. As store manager of Pandora Harlem, the neighborhood where she was born and raised, Ebony has built connections that extend far beyond the store’s walls.
From championing the creation of the Pandora Harlem charm to fostering lasting relationships with customers, she leads with a deep commitment to the community she calls home.
Walmart Store Manager
Miami, FL
When Juan Pinillos arrived in the United States from Colombia more than 20 years ago, he was looking for opportunity. He didn't have retail experience. He didn't know exactly what the future would hold for him or his family. What he did know was that if someone gave him a chance, he would work hard to make the most of it.
Today, Juan leads a Walmart store in Miami and has spent more than a decade as a store leader. In that time, he helped develop future leaders, strengthen local businesses and create opportunities for countless associates and customers.
Burlington Store Manager
Ponce, Puerto Rico
When Elivette Sanabria began working in retail while attending college, she was studying to become a teacher and initially viewed retail as a way to earn money while completing her education. But what began as a job developed into a career filled with opportunities to learn, lead and help others grow.
Today, Elivette is a Burlington Store Manager in Puerto Rico, a trainer for new and developing managers and a graduate of the company’s District Manager Foundation program. Along the way, she discovered that she never left teaching behind. She simply found a different kind of classroom.
Brown's ShopRite, Merchandising Manager
Philidelphia, PA
James Wallace joined Brown’s ShopRite when he was 18 years old. At the time, he was playing junior ice hockey and working toward an opportunity to attend college. The ShopRite near his home offered the flexibility he needed around an unpredictable sports schedule, along with a chance to earn some extra money.
"It started as a part-time gig to have enough money to fill up my gas tank," he said. "I've been here ever since."
Meet 2026's five amazing store leaders who lead by example and deliver results.
BJ's Wholesale Club - Club Manager
Dedham, MA
CVS Pharmacy Store Manager
Las Vegas, NV
){kind=logo}