Fran Horowitz, who has served as CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch since 2017, will receive the 2026 The Visionary award at the NRF Foundation Honors ceremony on Jan. 11, 2026. She has used her 30+ years of retail experience to lead the venerable brand through a multi-year transformation that is now delivering consistent growth both domestically and internationally.
“Fran Horowitz recognizes the value of building authentic, customer-centric retail brands — a vision that has transformed Abercrombie & Fitch Co.,” said Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation (NRF) in a statement. “Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister remain iconic names at the heart of retail, and under Fran’s leadership and direction, the company continues to grow and thrive.”
Horowitz, who will sit down for a fireside chat with Shay on Jan. 12, 2026 at the NRF Big Show in NYC, credited her team with powering the brands’ resurgence. “Our incredible team at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has executed one of the most successful turnarounds in retail, and leading this work has been the highlight of my career,” she said in a statement. “From our iconic global brands to our operating model to our company’s culture, we’ve reexamined and rebuilt every aspect of our business, all while leading with purpose and keeping our customer at the center of every decision.”
Previous recipients of The Visionary award include:
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- Tommy Hilfiger, Founder and Principal Designer, Tommy Hilfiger;
- Ed Stack, Executive Chairman, Dick’s Sporting Goods;
- Marvin Ellison, Chairman and CEO, Lowe’s;
- Brian Cornell, Board Chairman and CEO, Target;
- Michele Gass, former CEO of Kohl’s;
- Mark Parker, Executive Chairman, Nike;
- Doug McMillon, President and CEO, Walmart; and
- Chip Bergh, former President and CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.
