Just Released - The Final Agenda!
Day 1: Wednesday — May 28, 2025
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Registration
8:00 - 9:00 AM
INNOVATION VILLAGE
Coffee & Light Breakfast
8:55 - 9:00 AM
Stage 1
Opening Remarks
Noah Gellman, CEO, The Lead
9:00 - 9:20 AM
Stage 1
Opening Keynote – Redefining Retail Experience for a New Era
Laura Lendrum, CEO, Printemps America
Mathew Bernhardt, COO, Printemps America
Marie Driscoll, Adjunct Professor, The New School and FIT (Interviewer)
9:25 - 10:05 AM
STAGE 1
Cater to an Increasingly Cost and Value Conscious Consumer
Emily Erusha-Hilleque, SVP, Private Brands, Macy’s
Kaitlin Hutchinson, VP, Ecommerce, Authentic Brands Group
Cathaleen Chen, Editor and Reporter, The Business of Fashion (Interviewer)
Emily Gittins, Co-Founder and CEO, Archive
Ken Pilot, Founder, Ken Pilot Ventures (Interviewer)
STAGE 2
Build Brand DNA to Consistently Stay on Top of Trends and Tap into Cultural Moments
Kristin Patrick, CMO & CDO, Marc Jacobs
Jacee Scoular, VP, Marketing, Groupe Dynamite
April Guidone, COO, SMAC Entertainment
Koral Chen, SVP, Brand Development & Licensing, SMAC Entertainment
Jill Manoff, Editor-in-Chief, Glossy & Modern Retail (Interviewer)
STAGE 3
Supercharge Digital Commerce: Technology Showcase
Aviv Frenkel, CEO & Co-Founder, Moonshot AI
Joe Conaty, CEO, Commerce Architects
Marina Golemis, SVP North American Sales, ShipBob
James Hammersley, CEO, Good Growth Limited
10:10 - 10:30 AM
STAGE 1
Align Product Innovation and Marketing with Consumer Needs Through Data, Research and Ecosystem Mindset.
Steve Malony, CEO, Belkin
Kerry Flynn, Media Reporter, Axios (Interviewer)
STAGE 2
Harness Customer Data to Foster Lasting Connections (Case Study)
Rochelle Jacobs, Managing Director, Peter Thomas Roth
Jamie Elden, CEO, Listrak (Interviewer)
STAGE 3
Refine Online Advertising with AI-powered Targeting (Case Study)
Speakers To Be Announced
10:40 - 11:50 AM
INNOVATION VILLAGE
The Meetings Program – Learn More & Get Involved HERE
10:40 - 11:10 AM
STAGE 1
Simplify Your Tech Stack and Stop Being a Solution Hoarder
Ron Ijack, CTO, Knix
Ann Marie Ippoliti, VP, Ecommerce and Marketing, Michael Kors
Juliette Arnaud, Senior Director of Commerce Systems, Hermès of Paris
Christine Russo, Creator, What Just Happened (Moderator)
11:15 - 11:40 AM
STAGE 1
Create New Value for Legacy Brands
Mark Katz, EVP – Premium Fashion Vertical, WHP Global
Preeti Singh, VP, Marketing, Nicole Miller
Marie Driscoll, Adjunct Professor, The New School and FIT (Interviewer)
11:50 - 12:30 PM
STAGE 1
Prepare Your Business for Uncertainty
David Katz, EVP & CMO, Randa Apparel & Accessories
Kiera Ganann, SVP / Global GM Ralph Lauren Brands, Delta Galil
Simeon Siegel, Managing Director, Senior Analyst: Retail and eCommerce, BMO Capital Markets
Sheena Butler-Young, Senior Correspondent, The Business of Fashion (Moderator)
STAGE 2
Session A: Reposition your Brand at the Center of the Social Conversation (Case Study)
Madisen Theobald, Global Director, Social Creative, MAC Cosmetics
Cat Quinn, Executive Director, Social & Trend, MAC Cosmetics
Emily MacKinnon, Senior Brand Strategist, Dash Social (Interviewer)
Session B: Drive Net New Customers with a New Commerce Media Platform (Case Study)
Ashley Boyce, CMO, PROVEN Skincare and Co-Founder, Noteworthy
Mark McMaster, VP of Performance Marketing, Nift (Interviewer)
STAGE 3
Session A: Unlock Incremental Growth Through Connected TV (Case Study)
Fabian Brunner, Director, Digital Marketing & Marketplaces, HEYDUDE
Daniel Larkman, Founder & CEO, Keynes Digital
Mike Shields, Founder, Next in Media (Moderator)
Session B: Drive Customer Growth in the Routine Economy
Christy Medlock, Head of Product Marketing, Recharge
12:30 - 1:25 PM
Networking Lunches
12:30 - 1:25 PM
The Loft
Private Lunches
By Invitation Only.
Learn More & Request an Invitation Here
1:25 - 2:05 PM
STAGE 1
Session A: Separate Business Value from Gimmick for AI Use Cases
Ricardo Lajoie, Global Chief Merchant, Vans
Trang To, VP, Omni, Tapestry
Gaurav Pant, Chief Insights Officer, Incisiv
Session B: Balance Human Talent with Artificial Intelligence for a Better Customer Experience
Tony Bacos, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Stitch Fix
Jill Manoff, Editor-in-Chief, Glossy & Modern Retail (Interviewer)
STAGE 2
Session A: Prevent Fraud and Protect Loyalty by Owning the Moment Beyond Buy (Case Study)
Colleen Waters, VP, E-Commerce, Steve Madden
David Morin, VP, Customer Strategy, Narvar (Interviewer)
Session B: Excel in Unified Commerce with Dynamic, Customer-Centric Experiences That Blend Physical Presence with Digital Sophistication (Benchmark Study)
Ann Sung Ruckstuhl, SVP & CMO, Manhattan Associates
STAGE 3
Enable Profitable Growth: Technology Showcase
Jesse Rubinstein, Founder & CEO, Hello There Collective
Pratik Bhadra, CEO, North America, Netcore
Jaime Egan, Head of Sales, Instant
Pranav Piyush, CEO, Paramark
2:10 - 2:50 PM
STAGE 1
Capture Fleeting Consumer Attention with Sports Marketing and Partnerships
Austin Hodges, Global Chief Marketing, Growth & Design Officer, Nuna
Tracy Knauer, VP, North America Marketing & DTC, New Balance
Rachel Goldflam, SVP, Brand Marketing, Veronica Beard
Colin Daniels, Marketing Strategist, It’s Colin Daniels (Moderator)
STAGE 2
Session A: Translate your Brand Repositioning into A High-Performing Digital Experience (Case Study)
Alexandra Alessi, VP, Brand.com, OLAPLEX
Marko Bon, President, Domaine (Interviewer)
Session B: Scale Your Omnichannel Operations Profitably (Case Study)
Jack Dampf, VP, Operations, Hiyo
Jesse, Kaufman, VP, Product and Experience, Kase (Interviewer)
STAGE 3
Create Efficient Supply Chains: Technology Showcase
Frankie Mossman, Chief Commercial Officer, Dropit
Dorothy Pun, Founder, Knitup
Greg Arthur,VP, Retail, Onebeat
Session B: Optimise Your Organization with AI and Automation: Technology Showcase
3:00 - 4:10 PM
INNOVATION VILLAGE
The Meetings Program – Learn More & Get Involved HERE
3:00 - 3:25 PM
STAGE 1
Evolve Your Brand Without Losing Your Core Customers
Miryha Fantegrossi, SVP, Merchandising & Design, Wacoal America
Carolyn Glynos, President, USA, French Connection
Melissa Rosenfield, Founder and Principal, IFP Communications (Moderator)
3:25 - 3:45 PM
STAGE 1
Prepare The Workforce of the Future Where Every Discipline Has Fabric of AI
Mila Talabucon, VP, Technology, North America, Pernod Ricard
Thomas d’Aboville, Deputy CFO, North America, Pernod Ricard
Joe Laszlo, Head of Industry Insights and Engagement, Shoptalk (Moderator)
3:45 - 4:05 PM
STAGE 1
Train Your Workforce to Stop Fearing and Start Using AI Tools Effectively, Today
Barry McGeough, GVP, Innovation, AmeriCo. Group
4:10 - 5:25 PM
The Loft
The Digital Assembly
By Invitation Only.
Learn More & Request an Invitation Here
4:10 - 4:50 PM
STAGE 1
Run Successful Loyalty Programs with a Nimble Insights-Driven Approach
Sarah Angelmar, Executive Director, Customer Experience, Clarins Group
Tracy Bay, SVP, Head of Strategy & Head of Ecommerce, J.Crew Group
Jillian Gorman, CXO | Head of Consumer Experience, Samsung Electronics America
Richard Kestenbaum, Partner, Triangle Capital | Contributor, Forbes.com (Moderator)
STAGE 2
Session A: Choose the Right Social Selling Platform for your Brand Between TikTok Shop, Instagram, Pinterest and Others
David Baker, Chief Digital Officer, Beekman 1802
David Cost, VP, Digital & Ecommerce, Rainbow Shops
Rick Watson, Founder & CEO, RMW Commerce Consulting (Moderator)
Session B: Modernize Your CX Stack from Rigid CRMs to Seamless Support (Case Study)
Maritza Mejia, VP, Operations, BaubleBar
Lauren Gold, Chief Customer Officer, Kustomer (Interviewer)
STAGE 3
Enable Profitable Growth: Technology Showcase
Bryan Bumgardner, Sr Director, Growth Marketing, Northbeam
Erika Burbach, Sr. Principal Solutions Consultant, Vimeo
4:50 - 5:30 PM
STAGE 1
Redefine Brand Partnerships with Modern, Strategic Approaches
Lori Singer, President, Parlux
Julee Wilson, Beauty Editor-At-Large, Cosmopolitan (Interviewer)
Keri Taub, VP, Strategy, Bloomingdale’s
Brian Berger, Founder & CEO, Mack Weldon
Suzy Davidkhanian, VP, Content – Head of Commerce Practice, EMARKETER (Interviewer)
STAGE 2
Remap Customer Journeys and Update Experiences for the Next Generation.
Slisha Kankariya, SVP, Ecommerce & Digital Marketing, Adrianna Papell
Gaurav Dixit, VP, Digital Customer Experiences, Lowe’s
Gaurav Pant, Chief Insights Officer, Incisiv (Moderator)
STAGE 3
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Reception
Brand & Retail Attendees Only
7:30 - 9:30 PM
Private Dinners & Partner Events
By Invitation Only.
Learn More & Request an Invitation Here
Day 2: Thursday — May 29, 2025
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Registration
8:00 - 9:00 AM
INNOVATION VILLAGE
Coffee & Light Breakfast
9:00 - 9:05 AM
Stage 1
Opening Remarks
Noah Gellman, CEO, The Lead
9:05 - 9:45 AM
STAGE 1
Build Products That the Customer Wants
A: Modernize Your Approach Collecting and Deploying Customer Input
Victoria Santoriello, VP, Global Customer Experience & Product Strategy, Kate Spade New York
B: Build an On-Demand Supply Chain
Peter Pernot-Day, Head of Strategic & Corporate Affairs for North America, UK, & Europe, SHEIN
C: Engineer Virality with A Strategic Organization-Wide Approach
Victoria Katsarou, VP, Ecommerce, North America (Former), MAC Cosmetics
Jessica Binns, Editorial Director, Berns Communications Group (Interviewer)
STAGE 2
Create High-Impact Content That Captivates and Converts
Jessica Steele, VP, Retail Sales and Marketing, Alexis Bittar
Megan Maquera, VP, Digital, ASSOULINE
Caroline Tell, Founder, Tell&Co (Moderator)
Session B: Build a Resilient Brand That Outlasts the Hype Cycle
Stephane Colleu, CEO, Dr. Brandt Skincare
STAGE 3
Modernize Customer Experiences: Technology Showcase
Charles Cantin, VP, Customer Experience, Mirego
Maju Kuruvilla, CEO, Spangle
Ken Rapp, CEO, BluStream
Francisco Alizander, Director of CX & Strategic Alliance, FPT
9:50 - 10:10 AM
Stage 1
Keynote: Overhauling Private Label Strategy to Attract a New Customer
Jen Jackson Brown, SVP, Fashion Private Brands, Walmart
Liza Amlani, Principal and Co-Founder, Retail Strategy Group (Interviewer)
10:20 - 11:30 AM
INNOVATION VILLAGE
The Meetings Program – Learn More & Get Involved HERE
10:20 - 10:45 AM
STAGE 1
Break Free from Homogeneity and Creative Stagnation to Build a Distinctive Brand
Sofia Wacksman, GVP, Fashion Office, Ross Stores
Erica Cocilova, CEO, Ethique Beauty
Jenna Guarascio, Head of Content & Innovation, Future Snoops (Moderator)
10:50 - 11:20 AM
STAGE 1
Secure Your Career in a Shifting Economy
Danielle DiMaiolo Rendini, Head of Retail, American Girl
Elizabeth Drori, CMO, Kizik
Daren Hull, COO, Sèchey
Dominick Miserandino, CEO, Retail Tech Media Nexus
11:30 - 12:00 PM
STAGE 1
Build a Media-Powered Brand: The New Playbook for Content, Community & Commerce
Zack Weiner, Co-Founder, Overtime
Larry Fitzgibbon, Co-Founder & CEO, Tastemade and EVP, Wonder Media
Ann Gehan, Reporter, The Information (Interviewer)
STAGE 2
Master the Marketing Equation: Paid vs. Organic, New vs. Proven, In-House vs. Agency
Nicklaus Hasselberg, VP, Growth Marketing & ECommerce, Every Man Jack
Patrick Buchanan, SVP, Marketing, Lulus
Brigette Wolf, CMO, My/Mochi Icecream
Yoram Wurmser, Principal Analyst, Emarketer (Moderator)
STAGE 3
Session A: Drive Growth with GenAI’s Scalable Image Automation (Case Study)
Jacek Rebkowski, Lead Product Designer, Depop
Michelle Belcic, Head of Sales and Partnerships, Photoroom (Interviewer)
Session B: Build a Seamless and Engaging Shopping Experience
12:10 - 1:20 PM
INNOVATION VILLAGE
The Meetings Program – Learn More & Get Involved HERE
12:10 - 12:40 PM
STAGE 1
Build Teams with Diverse Perspectives in a Post-DEI World
Lydia Smith, VP, Inclusive Marketing & Chief Diversity Officer (Former), Victoria’s Secret & Co
Jennifer Velez, Head of DEI, Communications + Culture, Forever 21
Kimberly Lee Minor, CEO, WOC Retail Alliance (Moderator)
12:45 - 1:55 PM
Networking lunches
1:10 - 2:10 PM
The Loft
Private Lunches
By Invitation Only.
Learn More & Request an Invitation Here
The DTC Symposium is co-located at The Lead Summit, designed for DTC practitioners and welcomes scaled brands alike. Your ticket to The Lead Summit grants you access to The DTC Symposium. Learn more here.
1:30 - 1:35 PM
Stage 2
STAGE 2 – THE DTC SYMPOSIUM
DTC Symposium Welcome Remarks
Sonal Gandhi, Chief Content Officer, The Lead
1:35 - 1:50 PM
Stage 2
STAGE 2 – THE DTC SYMPOSIUM
Keynote: Building a High-Growth Brand in 2025
Maarten Bodewes, Co-Founder, Loop Earplugs
Gabrielle Fonrouge, Retail Reporter, CNBC
1:55 - 2:20 PM
STAGE 2
Build a Brand & Community Through Power of Storytelling and Social Media
Jacob Zuppke, CEO, Whisker
Sabeen Mian, President, Lash Division, Performance Beauty Group
Jake Karls, Co- Founder, Mid-Day Squares
Colin Daniels, Marketing Strategist, It’s Colin Daniels (Moderator)
STAGE 3
Do More with Less and Creatively Compete with Big Brands with Big Budgets
Lexi Kaminer, Sr Director, Ecommerce and Growth, Outset
Ankur Goyal, SVP, Growth, Coterie
Minali Chatani, Executive Creative Director, FARRYNHEIGHT (Moderator)
2:25 - 2:45 PM
STAGE 2
Deploy Out-of-The Box Thinking to Build Business Models and Achieve Growth in Today’s Evolving Landscape
Melanie Travis, Founder and CEO, Andie
Emily Hosie, Founder & CEO, REBEL
Richard Kestenbaum, Partner, Triangle Capital | Contributor, Forbes.com
STAGE 3
Maximise the Post-Purchase Revenue Opportunity (Case Study)
Cael Shwartz, Head of Growth, Mugsy
Ronak Patel, VP, Marketing, Moonbrew
Dhruv Patel, Founder & CEO, Aftersell by Rokt
2:45 - 3:00 PM
Networking Break
2:30 - 3:45 PM
The Loft
CEO Mixer
3:00 - 3:20 PM
STAGE 2
Update Your Go-to-Market Approach to Keep up with Changing Times
John Stellato, President and CEO, Hydrow
Gabrielle Fonrouge, Retail Reporter, CNBC
STAGE 3
Measure Cross-Channel Performance Accurately and Consistently (Case Study)
Scott Kramer, VP, Growth Marketing, AS Beauty
Anthony DelPizzo, Director, Product Marketing, Triple Whale (Interviewer)
3:25 - 3:50 PM
STAGE 2
Build and Scale Your Brand on TikTok Shops
Stormi Steele, CEO, Canvas Beauty
Jonathan Cohen, CMO, Pure Daily Care & Aquasonic
Leslie Ann Hall, CEO and Founder, Iced Media (Moderator)
STAGE 3
Build Profitable Wholesale Strategies for Long-Term Growth
Vanessa Urenda, Co-Founder & Chief Omni-Channel Officer, ADA Collection
Robbie Salter. Founder & Co-CEO, Jupiter
Liza Amlani, Principal and Co-Founder, Retail Strategy Group (Moderator)
4:00 - 4:45 PM
STAGE 2 – THE DTC PITCH COMPETITION
Eight emerging brands take the stage for a six-minute pitch which will include the business’s origin story, the market opportunity, and how the brand is poised to take advantage of it. A panel of experts will pose questions and the audience will get to vote for their favorite brand with the most compelling business proposition!
Featuring:
Angel Margarita
SMEARCASE
Outlines
The Next Great American
Lager
Spoonful
Safely
LINK x LOU
Sweetums
4:45 - 5:30 PM
THE DTC SYMPOSIUM
Closing Cocktails
