New York
NRF Foundation Student Program
The NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City gives college students the unique opportunity to launch their future careers in retail and experience all that the industry offers. Retail executives in marketing, merchandising, talent, entrepreneurship, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, supply chain, technology and more share their stories, insights, and what they learned in their careers, and students explore various careers paths in the retail industry, meet with dozens of recruiters from their favorite brands and create visions for their futures, all in just four days.
The NRF Foundation Student Program is January 9-12, 2025, in New York City and is open to all undergraduate and graduate students and all educators and staff at any U.S. college or university.
Registration for our 2025 events will open this fall. Stay tuned for more details.
Experience the NRF Foundation
Student Program 2024
OUR 2024 EVENTS
Main Stage Sessions
Welcome & Kick Off
Tony Spring - Macy's Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer - Elect
Technology Unveiled: A Journey through the Retail Product Lifecycle
In the rapidly evolving retail industry, technology is the invisible hand that orchestrates the entire journey of a product, from its conception to the customer’s hands. Join Julie Averill, CIO and EVP of lululemon, on an exploration of the ecosystem that powers the retail product lifecycle. This presentation will explore the various technologies that support product design, manufacturing, sales, customer engagement, and beyond. By the end of this journey, you’ll have a solid understanding of how technology is transforming the retail landscape.
Julie Averill - lululemon EVP & Chief Information Officer
Thriving Career Journeys Straight from the Frontlines
In the rapidly changing digital landscape, retail stores and careers are flourishing! Leading store experts from Apple, Away, and REISS divulge their career paths, highlight the crucial roles of in-store positions, discuss their influence on consumers, and unveil the latest technology trends that are transforming the retail experience.
Emma Taylor - Reiss Vice President, North America
Carissa Barrett - AWAY Vice President of Retail
Ron Thurston - OSSY Founder & CEO
Vinton South - Apple US Enterprise Retail Industry Development Executive
Accelerate Your Career
Our Young Professionals panel — with recent graduates and NRF Foundation scholarship recipients — shares their career journeys since graduation and their experiences at retailers including Coach, Neiman Marcus, StitchFix and Ulta.
Marcel Smith - Neiman Marcus Assistant Buyer
Annie Hope Mazzola - Stitch Fix Associate Buyer, Girl's Tops
Carlo Pardo - Coach Special Projects Designer
Ashley Cairns - Ulta Merchandise Manager
The Power of Staying Agile: An Insiders Look at Successful Merchandising
In an industry where change is constant, staying agile is not merely an option; it’s the key to thriving. In this session, discover the secrets to a successful merchandising strategy, the skills needed to be an effective merchant today, and tangible tips to launch your career in retail. Kristin gives a glimpse into PetSmart’s own merchandising strategy and her personal experience in retail, which spans over two decades.
Kristin Shane - PetSmart SVP and Chief Merchandising Officer
Retail for Good: Balancing Priorities for Community Impact
In an era where retailers play an increasingly vital role in shaping the communities they serve, leaders from Target, Burlington, and DICK's Sporting Goods share the work they are doing to make community impact a key pillar of their retail strategies in their distinct sectors. These four leaders share how they navigate a multitude of priorities including sustainability, DE&I, economic opportunity creation and more to create a lasting and positive influence on the world.
Rick Jordan - DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation Vice President
Timothy Fair - Burlington Stores VP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Ron Brown - Target VP, Community Impact
Seneiya Navajas - UNIQLO Senior Manager, Sustainability
More Life in your Clothes: Revolutionizing Retail Through Circularity
Nuuly, an URBN brand, was created to meet a modern need for sustainability-minded experiences and services, and to help consumers do their part in making a positive impact on the planet. In this conversation, Kim shares how the Nuuly brand approaches circularity through clothing, cleaning and climate to create a marketplace that has brought Nuuly to the forefront of the rental and resale economy.
Kim Gallagher - Nuuly Executive Director of Marketing & Customer Success
Alyssa Hardy - Journalist & Author
Landing a job in the Age of AI
Retail hiring has evolved significantly with the adoption of software and AI tools that are transforming the candidate experience and revolutionizing how recruiters work. In this session, you'll get a glimpse into the technology being implemented, why retailers are using it, and how you can stand out and succeed as an applicant in the age of AI across the retail industry.
Josh Secrest - Paradox VP of Marketing and Client Advocacy
Ashley Carter - 7-Eleven, Inc. Lead Project Manager, Talent Acquisition Operations
Vicky Hildalgo - Nordstrom Head of Early In Career Talent
About Libby Edelman
A dominant force in fashion, Libby Edelman has made an indelible impact on some of the most renowned fashion brands over the past 45 years. She started her career as the Accessories Editor at Seventeen Magazine before moving to Harper’s Bazaar and ultimately becoming the head of PR for Calvin Klein. With her husband and life-long business partner, Sam, Libby Edelman co-founded Sam & Libby (est. 1987), Sam Edelman (est. 2004), and Circus NY by Sam Edelman (est. 2010). As the brands’ Fashion Director, Photographer, and Muse, Libby’s innate ability to foresee trends, unparalleled eye for style, and 3+ decades of experience, play a pivotal role in bringing the Sam Edelman brand to life.
About Fern Mallis
Hailed as the award-winning creator of New York Fashion Week, Fern Mallis has been called an industry titan, doyenne, and The Godmother of Fashion. As the creator and host of premiere conversation series Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis at New York’s prestigious 92nd Street Y, Mallis assembled an incredible roster of guests for her now signature in-depth interviews, including Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Diane von Fürstenberg, Polly Mellen, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, André Leon Talley, Bruce Weber, Bill Cunningham, Valentino, Leonard A. Lauder, Tim Gunn, Victoria Beckham, Rosita and Angela Missoni, Alexander Wang, and Christian Louboutin, to name just a few.
Libby Edelman
- in conversation with Fern Mallis
Monica and Andy Founder and CEO Monica Royer joined National Retail Federation SVP of Communications Bill Thorne for a live recording of the NRF podcast 'Retail Gets Real."
Invitation-only on-site interviews for internships and entry-level roles.
Students went behind-the-scenes, met retail professionals and learned about their careers as select retailers hosted them in their NYC offices, stores and more. Registered students signed up at no additional cost.
Tours & Talks Sessions
Burlington Stores Tour & Talk
Session Details
Join us at the Burlington Stores New York City Buying Office! Learn more about our careers and internship programs and get a glimpse into the off-price retail world! Join along our associates with interactive and shadowing experiences within Buying and Planning.
Location: NY Buying Office - 1400 Broadway, 1400 Building, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Max capacity: 25
On Par w/ DICK'S Sporting Goods
Session Details
Looking to learn something new in the New Year? Why not make DICK’S Sporting Goods part of your resolution? Get to know the largest sporting good retailer in the country as our team walks you through a deep dive of all things #TeamDSG! We’ll review what internships and full-time programs we offer, how you can get involved, an overview of our company and much more!
Appetizers and beverages will be provided at the info session. Transportation will be provided from the Marriott Marquis to and from Chelsea Piers.
We’ll so be SWINGING into active afternoon! Students can expect to participate in a golf experience with professionals during the afternoon. The golf experience will take place at a driving range featuring heated and covered bays. Whether you play regularly, want to learn a little about the game or just trying it out to have some fun – we’re ready to tee it up with you! Along with birdies and pars –we plan to offer an indoor cycling class and low intensity exercise class as well. Students will have access to locker rooms to change before and after the cycling class; while cycling shoes are provided, students are encouraged to bring a change of clothes.
#TeamDSG is looking forward to seeing you soon!
Location: Chelsea Piers
Max capacity: 25, Sophomores only
Kohl's Chats
Session Details
Quick 30 minute sessions where Kohl’s representatives will all speak on various topics and give students a chance to walk through the office. Topics will include: the Concept to Customer Process and individualized sessions focused on Merchant and Inventory, Production, Sourcing, Art, Design, and DEI. When signing up, please complete our general interest form and then we will follow up with another request to sign up for the unique sessions you plan to attend!
Location: Kohl’s New York Design Office - 1400 Broadway, New York, NY 10018
Max capacity: 60
Macy's Tour & Talk
Session Details
Macy’s Tour & Talk is designed to help students understand who are, opportunities within merchandising and supply chain, and our strategies. The event will be broken up into 2 parts: kicking off with a panel of merchant and supply chain associates, and followed by a tour of our Herald Square store with merchants.
Location: Macy's Herald Square
Max capacity: 30
Nordstrom Tours & Talks
Session Details
This is an opportunity for the students of NRF to have an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Nordstrom NYC Flagship store while engaging with some of its fearless leaders and their teams. Students can expect to gain insight on Nordstrom and various career opportunities! Note: This event is open to juniors and seniors only.
Location: Nordstrom NYC Flagship Broadway Bar on 3 225 W 57th St. NEw York, NY 10019
Max capacity: 50
Penn 2 Tour & Talk sponsored by PAVE Global
Session Details
Discover this amazing retail mixed-use development. PENN 2 is a new center of gravity within the most connected neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan— the most connected neighborhood in New York City— THE PENN DISTRICT. Developed by Vornado, PENN 2 is a high-performance, mixed-use building situated on one of the few double-wide blocks in New York City, directly over the most connected and active transit hub in the Western Hemisphere, adjacent to a sprawling pedestrian-only plaza and offering extraordinary amenities including abundant outdoor green space, exciting retail and dining choices and, of course, unrivaled accessibility.
Location: Penn 2, 2 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10121
Max capacity: 10 per tour (Educators welcome)
PetSmart Tour & Talk
Session Details
Tour our PetSmart store while you learn from people in the Merchandising, Marketing, and Supply Chain departments. The store is located near Madison Square Park and the iconic Flat Iron Building. The tour is open to all areas of study, and all graduation dates. See you there!
Location: PetSmart - 1107 Broadway Ste. 101, New York, NY 10010
Max capacity: 50
Behind the Scenes at Ross Stores’ Buying Office
Session Details
Features a sneak peek of a buyer/vendor negotiation.
Juniors: graduating between August 2024 - May 2025
Seniors: graduating between December 2023 - May 2024
Location: 1372 Broadway, New York, NY
Max capacity: 20
Target Talk & Tour
Session Details
Target invites you to join us at our Manhattan office for an informative presentation where you will learn how different teams at Target collaborate to deliver on our purpose of “helping all families discover the joy of everyday life." Following the presentation, we will conclude with a tour at a local Target store. Shuttles from our Chelsea office to the Target store will be provided.
Location: Target Chelsea Office + Target Store
Max capacity: 15
The Tiffany & Co. at the Landmark Tour & Talk Sponsored by PAVE Global
Session Details
Discover Tiffany & Co. at The Landmark, New York’s reimagined crown jewel at the corner of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue. The Landmark at 57th Street and Fifth Avenue is an invitation to enjoy the very best of Tiffany & Co. Enter a place of wonder, where brilliance is found around every corner, never-before-seen designs dazzle the eyes and extraordinary experiences stir the soul. Ten floors of magnificence await.
Location: The Landmark, 727 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022
Max capacity: 10 per tour
UNIQLO SoHo Store Tour & Headquarters Tour
Session Details
Seniors Only UNIQLO SoHo Store Tour & Headquarters Tour (Seniors Only, 20-25 students) -Students will get to see highlights of our Flower Shop, UTMe t-shirt printing station, RE.UNIQLO Repair Studio, and StyleHint displays. They will be able to ask the Clientele Manager, Michelle Kam, about her experiencing working in stores. -After the store tour, students will head upstairs to see our corporate office layout and sit in the break room area to have open Q&A about our senior opportunity and speak with a former management trainee who is now a leader/manager in the company.
Location: UNIQLO SoHo
Max capacity: 25
UNIQLO 5th Ave Store Tour & Q&A w/ Store Leader
Session Details
Sophomores and Juniors 5th Ave Store Tour & Q&A w/ Store Leader (Sophomores and Juniors, 20-25 students) -Students will get to see highlights of our LiveStation setup, UTMe t-shirt printing station, RE.UNIQLO Repair Studio, and other special activations at the time. -Clientele Manager, Amena, will be leading the tour along with her team members to talk about why 5th Avenue is turning into a shopping experience / destination rather than just a clothing store for customers. -Students will have open time for Q&A to talk about the store experience and any specifics.
Location: UNIQLO 5th Ave
Max capacity: 25
Amazon Web Services Tour & Talk
Session Details
Join AWS for a tour of their NRF Big Show booth. Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any workload, and it now has more than 240 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), media, and application development, deployment, and management from 102 Availability Zones within 32 geographic regions.
Tour Host: David Dorf, World Wide Solutions Portfolio Manager, Retail, AWS
Location: AWS Booth #6020, check in at reception
Max capacity: 12