2026 Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference

...operations, merchandising, marketing, Strategy Office, Share Services Supply Chain, and M&A. Scott and his team are responsible for positioning Walmart’s Private Brands as a strategic impetus for the organization. This includes strengthening the value proposition, developing quality core and innovative products, whilst building customer loyalty and holistic cultural support for Walmart Brands. 

Doug has more than 35 years of experience in food retail, working in roles related to retail operations, consumer packaged goods, and private brand creation and marketing.

...and analysis with attitude, finding critical, relevant and resonant lessons not just in the world of retailing, but also in sports, popular culture and a wide range of other businesses. Kevin is the author of “Retail Rules! 52 Ways To Achieve Retail Success," a guidebook for competing effectively and efficiently on Main Street, and co-author, with Michael Sansolo, of “The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons from the Movies,” which uses film narratives to teach about leadership, marketing and surviving the workplace.

At NIQ, Chris leads strategic initiatives, delivering forward-looking insights that help manufacturers navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic retail landscape.

Chris has enjoyed a successful career leading sales, marketing, and shopper insight teams with many important CPG companies. In his current role, he specializes in sales strategy and communicating with impact.

...caramels, marshmallows, nougat, brittles, toffee, nut items, chocolate, and confectionery compounds. Today, she blends her scientific expertise with storytelling, creating viral videos, scroll-stopping photography, and joyful brand collaborations with her brand, One Sweet Mama. Hannah’s work can be found on Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and TikTok. She also participated as an influencer for PLMA’s 2026 Store Brands Month in January.

Since founding High Impact in 2007, James has focused on bridging the gap between strategy and execution—helping organizations align their commercial vision with the operational discipline required to win at scale, particularly within Walmart and across omnichannel retail. James’ perspective was shaped early in his career inside Walmart, where he gained firsthand insight into how the world’s best consumer brands create competitive advantage—and how retailers evaluate partners, including across national brands and private label. High Impact works closely with executive teams to define growth strategies, strengthen retailer partnerships, and build the internal capabilities required to compete in an increasingly retailer-driven environment.

With more than 25 years in the Consumer-Packaged Goods industry and over 1,500 workshops delivered across 50 countries, Julien brings fresh insights and actionable strategies that inspire growth and transformation.

There, René was responsible for developing various business areas in Germany and Switzerland before becoming President and CEO of Horváth USA.

Cyndi also serves as the in-house retail media analyst, tracking the rapid growth of retailer media networks, related partners, and their overarching impact on commerce marketing.

With more than 25 years of consulting experience, David has designed a number of private label portfolios including strategy, design and innovation and is a regular commentator for various media outlets.

...a step-by-step guide for suppliers navigating their journey of product development through to longer term sustainable growth in mass retail.

Simone has over 34 years of retail experience in the CPG, wholesale and retail industries leading teams across operations, strategy, merchandising, shopper marketing, product development, procurement and sourcing.

As a member of the food and beverage team at Plante Moran, Puglia has advised food and beverage clients on working through operations, process reengineering, and critical change management challenges.

Jean joined Daymon in 2013 and has served in a number of roles across the organization driving program growth across channels, retailers, and categories.

He currently serves as the research director of the Coca-Cola Retailing Research Councils for both supermarkets and convenience stores. In his 13 years as senior vice president at FMI, the biggest food retail association in the United States, he was responsible for all education, supply chain and research activities. In this position he developed an in-depth perspective of the changing nature of cooking, eating and shopping. Before joining FMI, Sansolo was Editor-in-Chief of Progressive Grocer magazine. Sansolo recently authored Business Rules! a collection of diverse and useful lessons in business success.

A leader in the grocery and CPG industry for over 25 years, Parag previously served as a Vice President at The GIANT Company and prior to that, he spent over two decades at Wakefern Food Corp.

With a doctorate in consumer behavior, Steen blends academic insight with real-world retail experience to help brands and retailers make smarter, faster creative decisions. His work focuses on the future of design, the psychology of shopper choice, and how AI can unlock meaningful ROI in packaging.

With more than 40 years of experience, Mike has built and guided high performing sales and marketing organizations across the consumer-packaged goods industry, spanning private label and branded companies in Retail, Food Service, and co manufacturing channels. Throughout his career, Mike has held key leadership roles with respected CPG companies including Keebler, Naturally Fresh Foods, and TreeHouse Foods. His deep industry expertise, strategic approach to customer partnerships, and long track record of driving growth have made him a trusted leader in the retail and food service sectors.

...disposal of packaged goods can be impacted by contextual cues related to product design, labeling, and retailing. Her research has been featured in regional and national media outlets.

...emerging trends and other F&B industry issues. Sally has more than 25 years of industry expertise in partnering with executives at Circana for consumer and trends insights.