Retail Professionals Building Better Lives
From the most coveted award in retail — The Visionary — to our annual List of People Shaping Retail’s Future, celebrate the retail professionals who are sparking innovation and inspiring incredible change. Join the hundreds of retailers who support the work of the NRF Foundation.
Join us in celebrating
retail professionals
The Visionary
The Visionary is the most coveted award in retail. For more than 100 years, the National Retail Federation has honored an individual who has served the industry with distinction throughout their career.
Pictured: The Visionary 2026 Fran Horowtiz
The List of People
Shaping Retail's Future
A dynamic group of retail leaders creating opportunities and sparking innovation.
Pictured: Top, left to right: Brieane Olson (PacSun Chief Executive Officer) and Billy May (Brooklinen Chief Executive Officer); Bottom, left to right: Scott McBride (American Eagle Outfitters Inc. Chief Global Asset Protection Officer & Chief Sustainability Officer), Kory Marchisotto (e.l.f. Beauty Chief Marketing Officer), and Kathleen McLaughlin (Walmart Executive Vice President & Chief Sustainability Officer);
RISE UP Partner of the Year
Presented by Old Navy
Each year, the NRF Foundation honors a partner who exemplifies an extraordinary collaboration with the use of RISE Up training and credentialling to prepare students to begin a career in retail. Our 2026 Partner of the Year, presented by Old Navy, is The Door, located in NYC.
Meet 'The Door' — this year's NRF Foundation RISE UP Partner of the Year
2025 Honorees
NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship
The highest honor that the NRF Foundation can bestow upon a student features a top award of $25,000 and recognition as an emerging leader in retail.
Pictured: NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship 2025 finalists Gabbi Mak, Julia Yusupov, Alicia Langlais, Nevaeh Hearn and Miri Chan.
Meet the 2025 NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship Finalists
NRF Foundation University Challenge Scholarship
The team business competition provides undergraduates with real-world experience and $30,000 for the top team.
Pictured: NRF Foundation University Challenge 2025 Finalist Teams from Columbia College Chicago, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, and University of North Texas
Meet the top teams in the 2025 NRF Foundation University Challenge Scholarship
NRF Foundation Store Leader Spotlight
Bring the story of retail store leaders and the critical role they play to the NRF Foundation Honors stage. With your help, we want to add to our retail story by recognizing the contributions of frontline leaders.
Share the stories of the store leaders you know who exemplify your brand values, develop your teams, invest in your community, lead by example and deliver results — and we could be shining the NRF Foundation Store Leader Spotlight on your nominee this January.
For press inquiries, please contact press@nrf.com