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, 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 open to all undergraduate and graduate students and all educators and staff at any U.S. college or university.
Made possible by our
generous supporters
At the NRF Foundation Student Program, hear directly from inspiring industry leaders and retail experts on the latest trends, strategies, and innovations taking place in retail today. Speaker Announcements Coming Soon.
ALL DAY
Steve Preston
President & CEO, Goodwill Industries
9:30 A.M. - 9:35 A.M.
Walmart’s first-ever Chief Talent Officer Lorraine "Lo" Stomski, PwC Partner & Vice Chair of Consumer Markets Barbra Bukovac and NRF Foundation Executive Director Adam Lukoskie will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of early talent development. Together, they'll discuss emerging strategies for preparing the next generation of the workforce and the evolving role of AI in the hiring journey.
Adam Lukoskie
Executive Director, NRF Foundation, Senior Vice President, NRF
Lorraine Stomski
Chief Talent Officer, Walmart
Barbra Bukovac
Partner & Vice Chair, Consumer Markets, PwC
9:35 A.M. - 10:20 A.M.
We are living in the midst of the greatest change in human history. How will you respond to this cultural storm? Is it important to find meaning in your life’s work? How could a radical concept called LifeWear possibly be a source of inspiration and creativity for your future? As our world is increasingly focused on optimization and efficiency, where can you still be human? Are you willing to unlearn in order to learn again?
Join John C. Jay in a conversation not about a job, but the possibility to work towards a future you can be proud of.
John Jay
President of Global Creative, Fast Retailing Co.
10:25 A.M. - 11:10 A.M.
Drawing from their personal journeys, these dynamic young professionals will share what inspired their passion for retail, how participation in NRF Foundation scholarship programs shaped their careers, and the key steps they took to prepare for the transition from college to full-time work. The panelists will also explore how early-career professionals can drive change, the lessons they've learned, and the valuable advice they have for students preparing to enter the workforce.
Kelsey Chrysostomu
Brands Manager of Sales & Product Strategy, Haddad Brands
Olivia Meyer
Assistant Buyer, Bloomingdale's
Mariah Taylor-Judd
Interim Assistant Store Manager, Vuori
Cody Villaneuva
Senior Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis, LVMH North America
11:35 A.M. - 12:10 P.M.
Detria Courtalis, VP of Sales at Pandora North America, brings her signature spark to this energizing session about what it really means to build a career in retail. With bold insights, real talk, and a people-first leadership style, she shares how embracing challenges, staying unapologetically authentic, and leading with purpose has helped her thrive in a fast-moving industry. Her story mirrors the evolution of modern retail; ever-changing, deeply human, and full of opportunity. Get ready to bust outdated myths, celebrate the teams who keep the industry moving, and be reminded that growth isn’t a destination; it’s a mindset!
Detria Courtalis
Vice President Sales for U.S., Pandora
1:15 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
AI is transforming every part of retail, from product search & discovery to supply chain and operations. In this conversation, Daydream Co-Founder & Chief Brands Officer Lisa Yammer and Gap Inc. This session explores how emerging technologies and established retail expertise come together to create new customer experiences. The session will highlight how both Daydream and Gap are working to test and reshape what’s possible, the realities of implementing innovation at scale, and what these shifts mean for the future of shopping.
Lisa Yamner
Co-Founder & Chief Brands Officer, Daydream
Tamesha Henry
Vice President of Information Technology, Gap Inc.
Sheena Butler-Young
Senior Correspondent, The Business of Fashion
2:05 P.M. - 2:50 P.M.
Retail is undergoing a transformation — and it needs bold thinkers like you. In this session, Julia Furnari, Executive Director of the Tapestry and Coach Foundation, explores how the industry is tackling big challenges — from sustainability to supporting the next generation — and how today’s leading brands are actively engaging with the issues that matter most.
Whether you're interested in product development, merchandising, planning, or just discovering your path, learn how your career in retail can contribute to a more purpose-driven future. Julia will take you inside her daily work, share real-world challenges, and show how every role in retail—no matter the title—can be a force for good.
If you're curious, creative, and ready to make an impact, this session will inspire you to see retail not just as a job, but as a platform for change.
Julia Furnari
Executive Director, Tapestry Foundation & Coach Foundation at Tapestry
3:15 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
For more than 50 years, Zara and Inditex have stayed true to the vision of their founder, Amancio Ortega: creating quality fashion for everyone. This vision continues to thrive thanks to the talent, dedication, and innovative spirit of the people who make up our teams.
At Inditex, professional growth knows no limits, and the career path of Dilip Patel — who began working in stores and went on to lead Zara in the UK and now the United States — is proof of that. Focusing on people, empowering them, and offering new challenges is what fuels Inditex’s continued growth and evolution.
Dilip Patel
President, Inditex / Zara USA
4:20 P.M. - 5:05 P.M.
Marriott Marquis Times Square - Westside Ballroom
This breakout session is for our NRF Foundation Ray Greenly Scholarship recipients. Limited spots will be made available for additional students registered for the Student Program.
Breakout session agenda
1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Our NRF Foundation Educator Meeting features exclusive sessions designed for university educators attending the NRF Foundation Student Program, including a networking breakfast with retail recruiters.
8:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.
Over 100 retail industry leaders join students at their tables for in-depth discussions on career navigation, industry insights and networking at the NRF Foundation Executive Mentor Experience presented by American Express.
8:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Meet with over 30 retail companies hiring for internships & full-time opportunities at the NRF Foundation Career Fair. Check out the job listings to prepare. More listings added weekly.
11:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
PwC will lead an energetic and interactive 60-minute session designed to inspire the next generation of retail leaders and explore how AI is reshaping merchandising. Through storytelling, live discussion, and hands-on problem solving, students will discover how creativity, data, and empathy combine to define the 'merchant of the future’.
This session is required for freshmen and sophomore attendees, and open to any additional registered students and educators.
12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.
At NRF Foundation Get Hired, retail companies host on-site interviews with students they met at the Career Fair. Invitation Only.
8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Inspiring speakers, data-driven industry trends, strategies from the field and focused workshops NRF ’26: Retail’s Big Show has it all. Your three day pass is included with your NRF Foundation Student Program registration.
8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Retail executives in marketing, merchandising, talent, entrepreneurship, sustainability, 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.
Experience last year's Student Program for yourself through photos and videos.
