Retail TouchPoints and design:retail have selected the next class of the 40 Under 40 — the top 40 professionals in the retail industry under the age of 40 who are paving the way for the next era of retail. This year, the publications expanded nominations to include all roles and job functions in the retail ecosystem — from ecommerce and marketing to innovation and store design.
After receiving the largest nomination pool in the competition’s seven-year history, the editorial team culled down the list to the top 40 young professionals in the retail community who met the following criteria:
- Shining stars in their company and in the industry;
- Have completed innovative and remarkable work; and
- Contribute greatly to education or associations supporting the retail community.
The 2021 class of impressive leaders is comprised of founders, CEOs, creative directors, design managers, marketing executives, ecommerce gurus, VPs and many more changemakers rewriting the rules of retail in unique and exciting ways.
“We are proud to continue the legacy of the 40 Under 40 Awards program, recognizing the achievements and outstanding work of the retail industry’s next generation of leaders,” said Jessie Dowd, Senior Editor of Retail TouchPoints. “Elevating those individuals who have used their brilliant minds and dedicated drive to propel retail forward is essential to fostering continued innovation across the industry at large.”
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The 2021 winners of Retail TouchPoints’ and design:retail’s 40 Under 40 are:
Liz Aiello, Senior Associate, MG2
Lauren Bayton, Director, Creative Presentation, Ralph Lauren
Robert Timothy Blair, Manager Retail Operations: Customer Experience, White House BLACK MARKET
Brendan Blume, VP, Store Development, Green Thumb Industries
Kevin Calabrese, AVP, Brand Design & Experiential, AT&T
Kelly Coffey, Senior Manager, Brand Store Marketing, Ariat International Inc.
Mia Croft, Creative Director, Native
Devin Dardanes, Regional VP, Sales, Noa Brands
Christiana DiMattesa, Senior Director Marketing, DTC Channels and Experience, The Americas, Under Armour
Richard Thomas Eberle, Owner, Brick & Bridge
Lizzy Ellingson, Chief Digital Experience Officer, David’s Bridal
Jeff Folino, Director of eCommerce, Marathon Sports
Christa Forte, Project Executive, Shawmut Design & Construction
Joseph A. Fulco, Senior Associate, Design Manager, Gensler
Tori Gerbig, Co-Founder and CEO, Pink Lily
Samantha Goodman, Associate, Senior Architectural Designer, Bergmeyer
Patrick Hallberg, Marketing & Merchandising Executive, Apple
Katie Keil, SVP of Omnichannel Marketing, Madison Reed
Alexandria Laird, Manager, People Development and Communications, Crocs
Stacey Robert Landino, Senior Project Manager of Décor and Design, Whole Foods Market
Kellie Larsen, Director of Omnichannel and Delivery Operations, Party City
Randi Lawrence, Senior Associate, CallisonRTKL
Ryan Lupberger, CEO and Co-Founder, Cleancult
Jill Madison, Senior Brand Experience Manager, Sleep Number
Zak Normandin, Founder/CEO, Iris Nova
Ari Peralta, CEO & Founding Partner, Arigami
Jessica Raasch, Senior Design Manager – Store Design Guest Experience Team, Target Corp.
Phill Rees, Design Director, Landor & Fitch
Liz Rinaldi, VP Design Director, Retail Design Group, Arc Worldwide
Amanda Saffer, Chief Technical Officer, SuitShop (formerly The Groomsman Suit)
Jonathan Shokrian, Founder & CEO, MeUndies
Jon Sica, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, Batteries Plus
Somia Farid Silber, VP, eCommerce, Edible Arrangements
PJ Singh, VP – Store Strategy & Product Management, Macy’s Inc.
Santiago Zabala Travers, Co-founder and CEO, Trafilea Group/Shapermint
Reyes Varela, Global Brand Designer, Taco Bell
Brian Wehrle, Director, Store Experience, Rite Aid Corp.
Jaimie Weiss, COO, Jean Dousset
Sheena Wilde, VP of Philanthropy, Kendra Scott
Noah Wolfson, Director of Program Management, Sachse Construction
Get to know the winners next month and dive into our full coverage, which will be unveiled in Retail TouchPoints in late May 2021. This year’s winners — as well as the 2020 winners — will be recognized at a future awards celebration (details to be announced).
