NRF | 5 sustainability leaders taking the stage at NRF 2022: Retail's Big Show – NRF News
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As the world increases its efforts to combat climate change and people look for sustainable solutions, the retail industry must also adapt and do its part. A 2020 NRF and IBM survey discovered that sustainability is top of mind for consumers, with 80 percent reporting that sustainability is important to them.
NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show offers plenty of opportunities to hear from the brands paving the way in sustainability, including the six company leaders below. The event will be held in New York City, January 16 – 18, 2022.
Roian Atwood has dedicated his life to sustainability throughout his 20-year career, not only working across the retail industry, but leading a think tank focused on sustainable innovations and serving as a Wake Forest University Sustainability Graduate Program Executive-in-Residence and lecturer who trains the next generation of sustainability leaders.
Atwood has a proven track record leading sustainability efforts in a multitude of projects, teams and companies. He currently leads Tractor Supply Company’s journey in corporate responsibility. Previously, he drove sustainability efforts across several footwear and apparel companies including American Apparel, Etnies, Thirtytwo, Wrangler and Lee.
Hear from Atwood in the featured session at NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show: Future proof your business: Sustainability as table stakes.
Amanda Nusz has been at Target for the entirety of her 25-year career. Beginning in human resources in 1996, Nusz moved her way up through various roles and departments, including serving as a senior buyer for kids, intimates and sleepwear, vice president of product quality and responsible sourcing, and now as senior vice president of corporate responsibility and president of the Target Foundation.
Nusz has made a large impact on the brand, assisting with the launch of Target’s first fashion show in the mid-2000s and the creation of Target kids’ line Cat & Jack, which developed into a $2 billion business. In addition to her current role, Nusz participates across the company as an executive sponsor of both the Diversity Action Committee and Volunteer Council and served for six years on Target’s Hispanic Business Council.
Hear from Nusz in the featured session at NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show: Scaling sustainable brands: What it takes for sustainable led brands to win with consumers
Javier Quiñones has a decades-long history with his company. Beginning as a sales coworker in IKEA Barcelona in 1999, he has risen through the ranks and across the world. His leadership spans across three different retail markets, including store manager in IKEA Spain; country retail manager in IKEA UK and Ireland; and now country retail manager of IKEA U.S.
Since his ascension to the CEO and CSO role in 2019, IKEA U.S. has increased its sustainable efforts, including making a pledge to become a circular and climate-positive business by 2030, launching a Buy Back and Resell program, and placing Sustainable Living Shops within stores for the holiday season.
Hear from Quiñones in his keynote session at NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show: When climate becomes a business imperative: A conversation with IKEA U.S. CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer Javier Quiñones.
Joon Silverstein leads global digital, customer experience and sustainability efforts for the Coach brand. During her nearly eight-year tenure there, Silverstein has accelerated growth through digital innovation and omnichannel customer engagement. Additionally, she leads sustainability efforts, implementing initiatives such as Coach (Re)Loved, the brand’s ecosystem of programs that give new life to old Coach products and keep them out of landfills.
Silverstein has an extensive background working for large retailers. She previously spent time at Louis Vuitton and Victoria’s Secret. She began her career as a cultural anthropologist, receiving a degree in anthropology from Columbia University and working as a Fulbright fellow. She earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and worked at the Boston Consulting Group.
Hear from Silverstein in the featured session at NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show: The expansion of the resale economy could be coming to your store soon.
Jennifer Steinmann began her career at Deloitte more than 25 years ago and has held a variety of leadership roles across multiple categories. In her current role, she provides cross-business leadership for this societal imperative and drives critical changes with global clients. As a member of Deloitte’s U.S. Executive Management Committee, Steinmann helped set the firm’s strategic direction and create an innovative and technology-driven environment.
Outside the company, Steinmann supports her passion for community by working with nonprofits and programs such as Salesforce Pathfinder and the World Economic Forum’s UpLink platform and sits on the board of the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco.
Hear from Steinmann with Javier Quiñones in the keynote session at NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show: When climate becomes a business imperative: A conversation with IKEA U.S. CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer Javier Quiñones.
