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WASHINGTON – The 10th annual NRF Foundation Honors, held Sunday in New York City, celebrated industry visionaries, awarded scholarships to promising students, and highlighted the retail industry’s dynamic workforce. The event raised over $2.7 million to support the NRF Foundation’s career development initiatives.
“The retail industry provides unlimited opportunities for meaningful careers,” said Adam Lukoskie, Executive Director of the NRF Foundation. “Through training and resources, the NRF Foundation empowers early talent to succeed. This year’s honorees embody the innovation and leadership that define our industry.”
Presented by American Express and PwC, the event attracted over 700 attendees and was co-hosted by Tony Spring, chairman and CEO of Macy’s, Inc. and John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S.
Honoring visionary leadership
Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger received The Visionary 2025 award for his four decades of influence in retail and for establishing one of the world’s most recognized premium lifestyle brands. Renowned for fusing classic American style with modern design, Hilfiger’s contributions extend to supporting the NRF Foundation’s Rising Stars Scholarship, which introduces students to retail career opportunities.
“Retail is a dynamic field that has shaped my journey,” said Hilfiger. “It’s an honor to give back through the Rising Stars program and to celebrate the future leaders of our industry.”
Celebrating industry innovators
The evening also spotlighted The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2025, which included:
- Dr. Athina Kanioura, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, PepsiCo
- Torsten Lubach, Chief Technology Officer, Costco Wholesale
- Christiane Pendarvis, Co-CEO, PATTERN Beauty
- Javier Quiñones, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA U.S.
- Christopher Thomas-Moore, Chief Digital Officer, Domino’s
Recognizing student excellence
The event honored outstanding student achievements, including:
- Miri Chan of Boston University, recipient of the 2025 NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship.
- Hazel Avery, Graeme Coté, Michelle Flores, and Natilee Strey of Columbia College Chicago, winners of the 2025 NRF Foundation University Challenge presented by Kohl’s.
The College of the Florida Keys received the 2025 RISE Up Partner of the Year award for its exceptional implementation of RISE Up training and credentialing to prepare students for retail careers.
Since its inception in 2015, the NRF Foundation Honors has raised significant funds to provide educational programs and resources that connect individuals to transformative retail careers. The event underscores the NRF Foundation’s mission to celebrate retail as a launchpad for opportunity, growth, and community impact.
For more information, visit nrffoundation.org/honors.
