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Sept. 9-11, 2026 in Washington D.C.
The 2026 NRF Foundation Emerging Retail Leaders Summit brought together 100 early-in-their-career retail professionals alongside retail leaders and subject-matter experts for two days of networking, insights and engaging professional development. All with the aim to help early professionals become even stronger leaders in the retail industry.
Mitchell & Ness
President
)
MCM Worldwide
Global SVP, Retail Acceleration and Learning & Development
)
National Retail Federation
Senior Research Analyst
)
Catalyst Brands
Vice President Corporate Affairs
Foot Locker
Chief People Officer
)
National Retail Federation
Senior Vice President
NRF Foundation
Executive Director
)
Build-a-Bear Workshop
Vice President of Stores - North America
Burlington Stores
Senior Vice President, Talent Management, Culture, & Community Impact
Rosecrans Ventures
Founder
Ulta Beauty
SVP Store Operations and Services
Ravo Consulting
Founder
Master Coach
)
Amazon Web Services
GM - Head of Sales, US Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
)
Sarah Wells Bags
Founder
)
National Retail Federation
Manager, Legislative Affairs
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Below is a list of suggestions for things to do at and around the Eaton DC Hotel on Wednesday, Sept. 9:
Unwind and enjoy a complimentary yoga class at 7:00 p.m. in the Eaton’s wellness studio with yoga & mindfulness teacher Sydnea before the Summit kicks off. All levels are welcome!
Sign up — spots are limited, secure your ticket ASAP. Please be sure to select the Wednesday, September 9 date and use promo code NRF2026 at checkout
Please register for a free ticket. Event is 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The September 9th show features local bands Truth or Dare, Loose Leash, and Mac N' Toss at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library – 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The Smithsonian Museums, including the National Portrait Gallery & American Art Museum, are open from 11:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Allegory is hidden behind a nondescript door in the Eaton DC’s Progress Library. “The first bar to blend art, literature, social good, craft cocktails, and hospitality.” 5:00 - 11:30 p.m.
7:15 - 7:45 a.m.
NRF Foundation Executive Director and avid DC runner Adam Lukoskie will lead an easy 30 minute run on Thursday morning prior to the start of the Emerging Retail Leaders Summit.
Please sign up here if you would like to join the run.
The group will meet in the lobby of the Eaton DC Hotel at 7:15AM.
Senior Vice President
National Retail Federation
Executive Director
NRF Foundation
9:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Networking and a light breakfast.
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Mecca Mitchell, SVP of Leadership & Organizational Development, DEI, and Community Impact at Burlington Stores, Inc., will delve into the essential leadership competencies that drive success in today's dynamic business world.
Senior Vice President, Talent Management, Culture, & Community Impact
Burlington Stores
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
As AI moves from pilot to production across retail, restaurants, and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), the companies that win will be those that harness it to deepen customer relationships and drive efficiency at scale.
In this interactive session, we will explore how AI is transforming customer discovery, automating complex workflows, and creating new competitive advantages. Attendees will gain practical insights from real-world scenarios showing where AI is already driving measurable revenue and operational efficiency, and what it takes to lead through this transformation.
GM - Head of Sales, US Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Amazon Web Services
11:45 - 12:30 p.m.
12:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Retail policy is everyone's business — and this session breaks down why. From tariffs and organized retail crime (ORC) to the evolving role of AI and technology, experts from NRF will unpack the most critical issues shaping the industry today, how the NRF's advocacy efforts are driving change across all sectors, and why staying informed is essential to everyone’s roles in retail.
Manager, Legislative Affairs
National Retail Federation
Founder
Sarah Wells Bags
Vice President Corporate Affairs
Catalyst Brands
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Halleemah Nash, Founder of Rosecrans Ventures, will share a dynamic framework for maximizing the early stages of your career whether at a new company, new role or new to the workforce.
This training is designed for Emerging Retail Leaders seeking to navigate their career paths intentionally, develop essential leadership skills, and strategically position themselves for success in navigating change in the retail workforce.
Founder
Rosecrans Ventures
3:00 - 3:20 p.m.
3:20 - 4:20 p.m.
As retail is transformed by AI, automation and evolving customer expectations, the brands that succeed will be those that put people first. Foot Locker's Chief People Officer Michael Keinath shares why the leaders with the greatest impact aren't the ones with all the answers, but the ones who stay curious, embrace change and bring out the best in others. Future leaders will gain practical insights on how a people-first mindset drives innovation, builds strong teams and helps organizations thrive through change.
Chief People Officer
Foot Locker
4:20 - 4:30 p.m.
Adam Lukoskie, Executive Director of the NRF Foundation and SVP at NRF, delivers the latest on what the NRF has to offer and how you can utilize the resources available in your everyday life and careers.
Senior Vice President
National Retail Federation
Executive Director
NRF Foundation
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
8:30 - 9:15 a.m.
NRF’s Senior Research Analyst Lea Grgich will share a deep dive into the latest consumer trends and retail research shaping the industry in 2026. From shifting shopper behaviors and economic sentiment to the evolving role of data, this session will unpack what’s driving change—and how retailers can stay ahead.
Senior Research Analyst
National Retail Federation
9:15 - 11:15 a.m.
Top retail leaders from different functional roles including store operations, learning and development and retail acceleration will lead a candid discussion on breaking down silos, aligning priorities, and leading across functions. Then, you'll put insights into action in an immersive business simulation and tackle real-world challenges, balance competing goals, and make enterprise-level decisions as a cross-functional retail leadership team.
Founder
Ravo Consulting
Master Coach
SVP Store Operations and Services
Ulta Beauty
Global SVP, Retail Acceleration and Learning & Development
MCM Worldwide
Vice President of Stores - North America
Build-a-Bear Workshop
11:15 - 12:15 p.m.
12:15 - 1:00 p.m.
How Mitchell & Ness President Emilie Arel went from working behind a register in her father's store to leading iconic retail brands and the lessons along the way that still shape how she leads today.
President
Mitchell & Ness
1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Through small-group discussions, attendees will connect directly with experiences retail leaders to gain invaluable insights into navigating early career growth-learning firsthand how to build influence, adapt to industry changes, and cultivate the skills needed for future leadership roles.
2:30 - 2:45 p.m.
Amazon
AEO
Burlington
Foot Locker
GAP Inc.
Goodwill
Lowe's
The PwC Foundation
BJ's Wholesale Club
Brilliant Earth
EssilorLuxottica
Fossil
JCG
Pandora
Target
Uniqlo
Walmart
Relive the last year's Emerging Retail Leaders Summit to see more photos and videos. Reconnect to the summit's learnings and discussions.
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