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.” 

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

PJ Singh, VP – Store Strategy & Product Management, Macy’s Inc.

Somia Farid Silber, VP, eCommerce, Edible Arrangements

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

Santiago Zabala Travers, Co-founder and CEO, Trafilea Group/Shapermint

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).