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Sept. 9-11, 2026 in Washington D.C.
NRF Foundation's Emerging Retail Leaders Summit helps retailers invest in their early talent, building their skills, networks and careers. This invitation-only event connects early professionals with their peers and with retail experts to help your Emerging Retail Leaders reach their full potential.
Knowledge of the wider world of retail direct from industry experts
A network of retail industry peers
Workforce navigation skills to help future leaders be engaged, authentic, and successful
Key session topics include:
Retail & consumer insights to better understand your customer
How government relations impacts the industry
An exclusive mentor experience to connect with retail leaders
A real-world scenario career workshop
Full-time employees at a retail company.
Entry-level up to managers in any function within your organization.
Demonstrating potential and desire to grow in their retail career.
Committed to strengthening and promoting your company values and culture.
Attendees can represent corporate, stores, or supply chain facility functions. They are ambitious early retail professionals with strong leadership potential and a clear interest in development opportunities to advance their careers and networks.
Provide your early professionals with the support, access, and opportunity to further themselves as leaders.
Featured Blog
When Diana Amezcua first walked into a Burlington distribution center 15 years ago, she wasn’t thinking about a career in retail leadership. She was a temporary employee who needed a job. What she found instead was a path built on resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to say yes to every challenge placed in front of her.
Today, Diana is leading the company’s newest two‑million‑square‑foot distribution center in Savannah, Georgia.
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"One of the most impactful aspects of the event was the strong diversity among both attendees and speakers. It felt like every voice was represented, and you could truly sense how meaningful it was for each speaker to be there.
Hearing their journeys and advice firsthand, especially knowing the extra effort many had to make to reach their positions, was incredibly inspiring. I also really enjoyed meeting people from a wide range of retailers, spanning different roles, levels, and experiences."
— Emma Ebert, Senior Analyst, Finance, Walmart
"Oftentimes, we have tunnel vision for what is going in within our organization that we forget we are a part of something much bigger than us. It was wonderful to connect with other retail leaders across many of these organizations this week.
I am feeling connected, inspired, and so grateful to have attended this summit."
— Naomi Connor, Manager, Store Operations, EssilorLuxottica
"The opportunity to hear from current industry leaders and connect with the future changemakers of retail was truly invaluable.
The insights shared throughout the summit were not only inspiring but directly applicable to my day-to-day at Dick's Sporting Goods. I'm excited to bring these lessons back to work and help drive continued growth and innovation with my team."
— Jordan Hartman, Senior Financial Analyst, DICK'S Sporting Goods
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