Judges

Glenn Allison is Vice President, Enterprise AI Platforms and AI Solution Engineering for Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States with more than 2,200 stores in 49 states and 50,000 Team Members. In his role, Glenn is responsible for AI & ML Platforms, TSC & Me AI Platform, LLMOps and MLOps AI Engineering, Data Engineering & Governance, Cloud AI Platforms, Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure, Data Centers & Critical Facilities, Merchandising Systems, Product Information Management, SAP / Finance, Legal, Real Estate, HRIS.

Tractor Supply is frequently recognized as one of the best workplaces for IT professionals, including 2024 CIO 100 award for innovation with AI and Computerworld Best Places to Work in IT.

Prior to Tractor Supply, Glenn worked at Kellogg Company, where he led global architecture and engineering functions to support supply chain modernization. Glenn also previously held several leadership roles at W.W. Grainger, one of the largest eCommerce retailers in the United States.

Glenn received his MBA from the University of Chicago and Master of Science in Information Technology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

He currently serves on the CNBC Technology Executive Council, Technology Leadership Council for the National Retail Federation (NRF), Nashville Technology Council, and is a lifetime member of the FFA. Glenn was named to the “40 Under 40” list by the Nashville Business Journal in 2016.

Stacy Berns founded Berns Communications Group in 2002 and has 30 years' experience creating marketing and executive communications platforms for leading global retail and technology companies. A well-connected thought leader, she has also built three unique executive leadership communities focused on the consumer sector: the Retail Influencer Network, The DealmakeHers and The Z Suite, a think tank for Gen Z emerging leaders. She is passionate about supporting founders and leaders from underrepresented communities and serves on the board of Delivering Good.

Jill Dvorak is the Senior Vice President, Content at National Retail Federation (NRF). She is responsible for driving the overall strategic and operational leadership for global content. Jill leverages her deep industry experience to identify key issues and opportunities to deliver relevant content; oversee engagement with the NRF Digital Council, NRF Marketing Executives Council, and support the ongoing development of NRF's growing international portfolio.

Prior to NRF, Jill was the Chief Content Officer at CommerceNext, a community, event series and conference for marketers at retail and direct-to-consumer brands. She oversaw the development of industry-leading content across CommerceNext's annual conference, executive summit, webinars and more. Dvorak joined CommerceNext from NRF where she was VP, Content and Retail Strategy and led all show content, the NRF Digital and NRF Marketing Executives Councils. Prior to that she held ecommerce, marketing and technology roles at brands such as National Geographic, Discovery Communications, and Encyclopedia Britannica. She holds a MBA from Maryland, a BS from Vanderbilt University and lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband, 2 children and 2 westies.

As CIO of Qurate Retail Group, Karen leads information technology and digital strategy, which are vital to driving long-term growth, innovation, and productivity for the company. She has an established record as a leader and business partner who transforms and simplifies business processes that deliver robust, cost-effective IT solutions- a capability strengthened by serving on a public board of directors in retail. Karen is a passionate advocate for the American CANCER Society whose seat on the Board of Directors enables her to amplify their mission to End Cancer as we know it for everyone.

Matt Ezyk has decades of experience building, scaling and leading digital commerce technology and strategy at some of the most innovative companies in the world. Matt serves as Senior Director of Engineering, Ecommerce at Hanna Andersson which is a leading direct-to-consumer premium children's apparel and lifestyle brand. Prior to joining Hanna Andersson, he led digital at Pet Supermarket with oversight of product and engineering. Additionally he served as Director of Functional Architecture and Director of PMO at RafterOne (f/k/a PixelMedia) with operational oversight of teams working with iconic brands like Skechers and LL Bean. Matt also served in progressive leadership roles at Accenture, Merkle (f/k/a LiveArea) and several startups working with hundreds of global brands like Uniqlo, Disney, Revlon, Tapestry and many more. Matt brings to retailers and DTC brands a deep expertise in developing and implementing diverse end-to-end commerce strategies.

Dave joined The Orvis Company in 2014 as the Customer Experience Officer, overseeing Marketing, Creative, and Technology. During his tenure, Orvis received industry awards for innovation. Prior to Orvis, Dave served as Chief Information and Interactive Officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop, where he played a crucial role in creating the innovative Store of the Future. Dave is involved in industry organizations, including the National Retail Federation-CMO Council. He has been recognized with various awards, such as the "Top 100 CIO" by CIO Magazine and "Innovative CIO of the Year" by Retail Information Systems magazine. Dave's expertise has been featured in publications like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and he has contributed to books on retail innovation.

Jenna Flateman Posner is currently the Founder and CEO of Chief Digital Agency dedicated to helping retailers and brands bridge the gap between how tech is built and sold and how retailers buy and implement it. Mrs. Posner is the former Chief Digital Officer for Solo Brands and prior to that spent four-years as the VP of Digital and Chief Digital Officer at SNIPES, a global sneaker and streetwear retailer. Following her USA rugby career, Posner was unsurprisingly drawn to the fast-paced world of tech and prior to her DTC retail experience, accrued 15+ years as a strategic thinker, innovator and retail tech expert for early stage businesses that exited to companies like: GrubHub, Fiserv and BazaarVoice. Mrs. Posner earned her B.A. from Wesleyan University and EMBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology.

John is well known as a digital enthusiast, industry connector, and seasoned commercial leader. His storied retail-tech career began in '97 at Net Perceptions, the industry's first personalization platform, that IPO'd in 2001. Through this journey, he discovered his passion for the intensity, chaos, and rewards of the retail-tech startup community. He subsequently contributed to the success of startups including Omniture (IPO), PowerReviews (acquired by Bazaarvoice), HookLogic (acquired by Criteo), and most recently, GiftNow (acquired by Synchrony), where he served as Chief Commercial Officer. John excels in building, managing, and leading large enterprise commercial organizations, while cultivating relationships with renowned retailers and brands. He advises retail-tech innovators, provides guidance to retailers and brands, and contributes to the retail industry through his work with the NRF's Digital Council.

Ann Marie Ippoliti brings over 20 years of experience driving business growth and transformation across leading retail and fashion brands. She currently serves as Senior Vice President of E-Commerce, Consumer Marketing, and Global Analytics at Michael Kors, where she leads integrated strategies to accelerate digital commerce and customer engagement.

Prior to Michael Kors, Ann Marie held leadership roles at companies including Nike and Intermix, building a track record of delivering results at the intersection of strategy, data, and customer experience. A certified professional coach, she brings a human-centered leadership approach to activating high-performing, innovative teams and unlocking individual and organizational potential.

Ann Marie is known for blending strategic insight with empathetic leadership, and she is passionate about shaping the future of retail through purposeful, data-driven innovation.

Ian is a dedicated researcher and analyst specializing in the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) market. His work primarily revolves around comprehensive studies conducted through prominent outlets such as InternetRetailing and RetailX. He meticulously delves into the intricacies of the market, closely tracking and assessing the performance of Europe's Top1000 retailers and brands, as well as the Global Elite 1000. Ian's contributions are instrumental in producing essential reports like the annual benchmark European eCommerce Market Report. Furthermore, his year-round involvement with the ConsumerX Observatory ensures a continuous and dynamic understanding of the entire sector, encompassing retailers, market dynamics, consumer behavior, and supplier insights. His work offers valuable insights into the ever-evolving D2C landscape.

Andrew Laudato started his career as a computer programmer and quickly realized he was as passionate about business as he is about technology. The intersection of business and technology is where innovation happens and where people and companies succeed.

After spending over 20 years as a CIO/CTO, Laudato currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe. In this role, he has led operations across digital commerce, information technology, enterprise portfolio management, supply chain, inventory management, and strategic sourcing, as well as quality commercialization.

Active in the business community, he is the chair of the Retail AI Council, a member of the Total Retail Advisory Board, and a founding member of George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation. Laudato was named a Top Retail Influencer and a Global Retail Leader by Rethink Retail. In addition, he serves on the board of Lideranca, a private company focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Mr. Laudato shares decades of experience, wisdom, and lessons learned in his book, "Fostering Innovation: How to Build an Amazing IT Team," available at local bookstores, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and on andrewlaudato.com.

Nicole Leinbach Hoffman is the Founder of RetailMinded.com, a well-respected industry resource for merchants and vendors alike founded in 2007, as well as STIMULATE – the nation's only sexual wellness trade show and conference.

With a core concentration on independent retailers, small businesses, community, and how the various touchpoints of commerce influence modern merchants, Hoffman is a frequent guest and contributor to various media outlets that have included The Today Show, Forbes, Entreprenuer.com and countless B2B publications. Additionally, Hoffman has supported American Express's Small Business Saturday as a Spokesperson and is the Author of the book “Retail 101: The Guide to Managing and Marketing Your Retail Business” from McGraw-Hill.

In 2022, Hoffman was recognized as one of Women Wear Daily's “25 Most Inspiring Women in Retail” and has been on the list of the world's most influential retail leaders from Rethink Retail since 2015. In 2023, Hoffman was recognized by American Eagle on a billboard in retail for being a Global Change Maker with her work in retail.

She's a mom of 4, 3 dogs and also a Professor at Columbia College where she teaches Retail Marketing. Hoffman proudly describes herself as a “retail geek”.

Cindy Lincks is the President of KULE, a lifestyle brand built on classic pieces with a happy wink. Since joining the company in 2019, she has spearheaded triple-digit growth in the digital business, overseeing performance marketing, technology, operations, and analytics. As President, Cindy leads omnichannel growth across digital, retail, and wholesale.

Before her tenure at KULE, Cindy was the CEO and Founder of Reachify, a venture-backed technology company focused on bridging the gap between technology solutions and brands. She also served as VP of Direct at Brooks Brothers, leading digital, performance marketing, development, customer service, and analytics.

With over 20 years of experience in retail and digital, Cindy is a seasoned leader celebrated for her ability to drive digital performance and foster cross-functional excellence.

Lori Mitchell-Keller boasts over 30 years of experience in software, consumer goods, wholesale distribution, and retail, with a 15+ year focus on market strategy and development. She runs a consulting firm to advise companies like UIPath and Dayforce on retail strategy and digital transformation. Previously, she held key roles at Google Cloud and SAP Labs, with a rich history at SAP in various high-ranking positions. She also held executive roles at Manugistics and Baxter/Allegiance Healthcare. Lori serves on multiple boards, including Mitratech Holdings and XTANT Medical Holdings, and has impressive academic credentials: an MBA from Northwestern University, an MS in Operations Research from Stanford University, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University.

Noam Paransky leads Tapestry's digital innovation efforts, focusing on delivering a seamless omni-channel experience for customers across digital touchpoints, including websites, marketing, social media, and in-store digital experiences. With a career deeply rooted in retail's digital realm, he previously served as SVP of Digital at Gap, Inc., overseeing digital sales and engagement for Gap, Inc. brands. Noam also has extensive experience as a retail, digital, and marketing expert, including a tenure at AlixPartners as the retail digital and marketing capability leader. He holds a BA in Economics from Emory University.

CTO of Global Luxury Fashion Brand KHAITE, New York City, known for cashmere, japanese denim, italian leather. Prior experience includes +two decades digitizing top global brands and retailers. leading transformational strategic initiatives for multi-billion dollar global corporations and developing top performing digital, software, technology and operations teamsPrior CDO/CTO, Frederic Fekkai Beauty Brands-launched Fekk.AI ML/AI/Computer Vision Applications. Formerly Vice President, Global Business Development & Digital Studios at Tory Burch LLC, NYC. Founder of Netkey Retail Software, acquired by NCR Corporation. Advisor to Tory Burch Fellows, Mentor-Endeavor, prior Lead Tech Advisor, Special Olympics Worldwide.

Deborah Weinswig is CEO and Founder of Coresight Research, a research and advisory firm specializing in disruptive technologies reshaping today's retail landscape. Coresight Research has a global presence spanning the US, Europe, and Asia, including deep expertise in the fast-changing China market.

Weinswig serves on the board of directors for Goodwill Industries NY/NJ, GUESS?, Inc., Kiabi, Street Soccer USA, and Xcel Brands, Inc. She is on the advisory board of the World Retail Congress and Retail Analytics Council, WWD Women in Innovation, and a mentor for several accelerators.

Weinswig is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.