Retail Relates

The Retail Relates Team
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Welcome to Retail Relates — where commerce gets personal. Each episode brings you inside the world of global commerce — across retail, consumer services, hospitality, and brand marketing — through powerful human stories and the ever-evolving forces shaping what we buy, why we buy, and how we connect. From entrepreneurs and icons to industry veterans and rising changemakers, we spotlight those redefining how people lead, create, and connect in a fast-moving world. Hosted by our roundtable of industry experts, we offer a 360° view of the marketplace through honest conversations, lived experience, and practical insights that resonate. Let’s get started — this is where the story of modern commerce comes to life.

  1. Leading Through Change: Vanessa LeFebvre on Curiosity, Courage and Conviction

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    Leading Through Change: Vanessa LeFebvre on Curiosity, Courage and Conviction

    Retail transformation doesn’t start with bold declarations. It starts with listening. In this episode of Retail Relates, Rich Honiball, Tony Wells, and Judy Sedjiny sit down with Vanessa LeFebvre, a global retail leader who has spent her career operating at the intersection of brand, data, and execution. Vanessa shares pivotal moments that shaped her leadership journey — from building Macy’s Backstage into a scalable off-price format, to partnering with data scientists at Stitch Fix, to leading global brands through moments of reinvention and exit. Across each chapter, her philosophy remains consistent: listen first, confront reality early, and connect strategy to the teams responsible for delivering it. The conversation explores: Why curiosity is a leadership advantage, not a liabilityHow psychological safety directly impacts performanceThe role of data in decision-making — and where it falls shortWhy transformation fails when leaders rush past understandingHow to lead teams through change without burning trustThis episode offers a practical, experience-driven perspective on leadership, growth, and what it takes to guide organizations through complexity with clarity and care. About Vanessa LeFebvre Vanessa LeFebvre is a global retail transformation and growth leader with deep expertise across merchandising, brand strategy, and operational execution. Most recently, Vanessa served as President of Champion Global, where she helped guide the brand through a $1.2B strategic exit, leading complex P&Ls across wholesale, DTC, licensing, and global markets. She now serves as Global President of Activewear at HanesBrands, overseeing a portfolio that includes Champion, Hanes, Alternative Apparel, and Gear for Sports. Earlier in her career, Vanessa served as SVP, Commercial North America at Adidas, helping scale the region to $6B; President of Lord & Taylor; VP of Women’s Merchandising at Stitch Fix, partnering closely with data scientists; and as the principal architect of Macy’s Backstage, growing the concept from pilot to scale. She began her career at Lord & Taylor and has held leadership roles at TJX Companies and Daffy’s. Vanessa holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, serves on the boards of Soles4Souls and Runway of Dreams, and is a founding member of Chief.

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  2. Empathy Before Automation: Ricardo Belmar on Retail, AI, and Leadership

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    Empathy Before Automation: Ricardo Belmar on Retail, AI, and Leadership

    Retail doesn’t fail because of technology — it fails when leaders lose empathy for the people the technology is meant to serve. In this episode of Retail Relates, Rich Honiball and Guy Courtin sit down with Ricardo Belmar, a retail technology strategist, podcast host, and longtime advisor to retailers navigating digital transformation. Ricardo shares pivotal moments that shaped his career — from building an early “store of the future” concept before it became an industry cliché, to gaining fresh perspective by stepping outside a long-held role, to discovering why empathy and understanding are prerequisites for scalable innovation. The conversation explores: Why many retail tech initiatives break down at scaleHow leaders can avoid groupthink when piloting new technologyThe role of empathy in leadership and transformationWhy AI must reinforce fundamentals, not replace themHow students and early-career professionals should prepare for a rapidly evolving commerce landscapeThis episode is a grounded, experience-driven look at the intersection of technology, leadership, and retail — and a reminder that progress comes from understanding the problem before deploying the solution. 👤 Meet Our Guest Ricardo Belmar is a go-to-market strategist and digital transformation specialist with more than 20 years of experience helping retailers and technology providers deliver elevated customer experiences and optimize business operations. Most recently, Ricardo served as Director of Partner Marketing for Retail & Consumer Goods at Microsoft, where he led partner go-to-market strategy across the Americas. He is the producer and host of The Retail Razor Podcast Network, delivering sharp insights on retail technology, AI, and executive leadership. Ricardo is a founding advisory council member at George Mason University’s Center for Retail Transformation and the Retail Cloud Alliance, a featured member of RetailWire’s BrainTrust, and a perennial Top Retail Expert (2021–2025) as recognized by RETHINK Retail. He has also been named a Top Retail Voice by NRF and a Top Thought Leader across retail, AI, and transformation by Thinkers360. He is a longtime supporter of RetailROI, supporting efforts to help children in need worldwide.

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  3. From Fabric to Family: Kevin Lavelle on Building Brands That Solve Real Problems

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    From Fabric to Family: Kevin Lavelle on Building Brands That Solve Real Problems

    How do you build brands that actually solve real problems? For entrepreneur Kevin Lavelle, the answer begins with curiosity, character, and the courage to act. Kevin first broke onto the scene as the founder of Mizzen+Main, the performance fabric dress-shirt brand that changed modern menswear and grew into a national success with partnerships ranging from Phil Mickelson to L Catterton. But his newest venture, Harbor, began with something far more personal — a failed baby monitor and a sleepless night that showed him how much families needed better, safer technology. In this conversation, Rich Honiball and co-host Jamie Lynn Curley sit down with Kevin to explore the mindset behind a founder’s second act: how to stay grounded while scaling, how to hire for character over credentials, and why great companies start by listening deeply to the people they serve. Whether you’re building a brand, leading a team, or navigating your next chapter, Kevin’s story is a powerful reminder that the best ideas often come from the problems closest to home. Listen now to hear Kevin’s journey from performance apparel to family wellness — and what he’s learned along the way about innovation, resilience, and building with intention. Kevin Lavelle Bio Kevin Lavelle is an entrepreneur, investor, and brand builder known for transforming simple insights into category-defining companies. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Harbor, a sleep-technology company built to improve family well-being through secure, reliable smart monitoring. The idea for Harbor emerged from a personal experience that exposed critical failures in existing solutions, inspiring Kevin to build a safer, more intentional system for parents and children. Kevin is also the Founder and Chairman of Mizzen+Main, the menswear company that disrupted traditional apparel by introducing the world’s first performance fabric dress shirt. Under his leadership, Mizzen+Main attracted investment from L Catterton, launched partnerships with iconic athletes such as Phil Mickelson and JJ Watt, and expanded into hundreds of retail locations across the United States. His work helped redefine modern menswear and reshaped expectations for comfort, versatility, and performance. A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Engineering Management, Kevin began his career at Oliver Wyman and Hunt Consolidated before launching Mizzen+Main in 2012. He has also served as Senior Vice President at Stand Together and remains an active mentor and advisor to early-stage founders. Kevin’s philanthropic work includes partnerships with the Navy SEAL Foundation, The Travis Manion Foundation, and 31 Heroes, reflecting his longstanding belief that business can and should be a platform for service. He lives in Dallas with his wife and their two children.

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  4. From the Boardroom to the Pitch: Michael Smith on Building Teams, Tech, and Community

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    From the Boardroom to the Pitch: Michael Smith on Building Teams, Tech, and Community

    From NIKE to The Estée Lauder Companies — and now the football fields of Northern Ireland — Michael Smith has built a career around people, purpose, and progress. As the former CIO of Estée Lauder, a 22-year NIKE executive, and a C-suite leader across multiple Fortune 500 companies in sports, fashion, beauty, and pharma, Michael shares how leadership principles transcend industries. He reflects on lessons from mentors, the power of feedback, and how technology can strengthen human connection rather than replace it. In 2023, he became the majority owner of Carrick Rangers FC, where he’s investing in community, inclusion, and opportunity. He also founded Tech Day of Pink and co-founded TechPACT to expand impact beyond work. Hosted by Rich Honiball, Judy Sedjiny, and Guy Courtin, this episode explores how culture drives performance, how courage sustains change, and how true leadership reaches far beyond the boardroom. Michael Smith Bio Michael W. Smith is a business executive, investor, and philanthropist with more than 25 years of global leadership experience across technology, retail, and consumer brands. He has served as a C-level executive at multiple Fortune 500 companies across sports, fashion, beauty, and pharmaceutical industries, including former Chief Information Officer (CIO) of The Estée Lauder Companies and 22 years in senior leadership at NIKE, Inc., spanning technology, commercial operations, and supply-chain management. In August 2023, Michael became the majority shareholder and chairman of Carrick Rangers Football Club in Northern Ireland — a passion investment focused on community impact, youth development, and expanding opportunity in sport. Beyond business, he is the founder of Tech Day of Pink, a global initiative supporting breast cancer research, and co-founder of TechPACT, which advances diversity and access in technology careers. A lifelong soccer enthusiast and advocate for purpose-driven leadership, Michael continues to merge commerce, culture, and compassion to create lasting impact.

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  5. The Discipline of Leadership: Ken Hicks on Service, Strategy, and Success

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    The Discipline of Leadership: Ken Hicks on Service, Strategy, and Success

    Strategy gets headlines; execution wins seasons. From West Point to the helm of PetSmart, Ken Hicks has built a leadership legacy defined by discipline, empathy, and execution. Before leading billion-dollar turnarounds at Foot Locker and Academy Sports + Outdoors, his first retail job was far simpler — filling bags of dirt at a local nursery, where he learned the patience and precision that still shape his leadership philosophy today. In this episode of Retail Relates, Rich Honiball and Tony Wells (a fellow service-academy graduate) sit down with Ken to explore what it means to lead with purpose and humility. They discuss how lessons from military service translate into modern leadership, why recognition is a strategy, and how culture is built one consistent act at a time. Ken’s journey reminds us that leadership isn’t about control — it’s about clarity, care, and creating conditions for others to succeed. A conversation on service, strategy, and the human side of execution. 🎧 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, GoodPods and your favorite platforms. Ken Hicks Bio: Ken Hicks is a seasoned retail leader with nearly 40 years of experience driving growth, profitability, and purpose across some of the world’s most recognized brands. He joined PetSmart in 2024 as President and CEO, bringing deep expertise in retail strategy, merchandising, operations, and customer experience. Before joining PetSmart, Ken served as CEO and Executive Chairman at Academy Sports + Outdoors, where he guided the company through a successful IPO and organizational transformation. Prior to that, he was CEO of Foot Locker, leading a major turnaround that revitalized customer experience, improved profitability, and significantly grew market value. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles with JCPenney, Payless ShoeSource, Home Shopping Network, May Department Stores, and McKinsey & Company. Ken is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a U.S. Army veteran. He also holds an MBA with highest distinction from Harvard Business School. He serves on the Boards of PetSmart and Academy Sports + Outdoors. Ken and his wife Lucy, married for over 50 years, share a Boston Terrier named Skywalker—and a belief that great leadership is measured not by authority, but by the success of those you lead.

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  6. Designing for Connection: Elisa Servais on the Future of Experiential Retail

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    Designing for Connection: Elisa Servais on the Future of Experiential Retail

    What makes a store truly memorable - and why do some spaces feel alive while others feel transactional? In this episode of Retail Relates, we have a conversation with Elisa Servais, a retail design expert, researcher, and consultant whose journey has taken her from Shanghai, London, and Brussels. Elisa’s work bridges academia and practice, exploring what makes in-store experiences valuable and how design can foster empathy, connection, and inclusion. She shares how cultural awareness shapes global retail, why copying trends comes at the cost of essence, and how AI can enhance - not replace - human creativity. From luxury houses like Hermès to Belgian icons like Maison Dandoy, Elisa explains how the best retail environments blend local authenticity with global coherence. It’s a conversation about creativity, purpose, and the human side of commerce - where design becomes a language of empathy. About Elisa Servais: Elisa Servais is a retail design expert, educator, and researcher whose work bridges practice and academia across three continents. Trained as an interior architect, Elisa began her career at Levi Strauss & Co., where she discovered her passion for retail design and the ways space can influence human behavior. Over more than a decade, she has worked in Shanghai, London, and Brussels, contributing to projects that range from global rollouts and flagship stores to mixed-use developments and city revitalization initiatives. Her design experience spans industries including fashion, food, and beauty—each reinforcing her belief that meaningful design begins with empathy and a deep understanding of people. Elisa earned her PhD in Retail Design from Hasselt University, one of the few programs worldwide dedicated to this discipline. Her doctoral research, The Value of Experiential Retail Environments, explored how in-store experiences create value for both customers and brands—and how designers can better craft them. Today, through her Brussels-based consultancy, Elisa combines her academic rigor with real-world insight, helping companies and educators adopt a more strategic, inclusive, and human-centered approach to retail design. Recognized for her cross-cultural expertise and thoughtful perspective, she continues to advocate for a retail future where design, strategy, and emotion work hand in hand to connect people and place.

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  7. Data, Decisions & Discovery: Katherine Black on Turning Insight into Impact

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    Data, Decisions & Discovery: Katherine Black on Turning Insight into Impact

    What happens when data becomes more than a tool and starts to shape how we lead, learn, and listen? In this episode of Retail Relates, Rich Honiball and Guy Courtin sit down with Katherine Black, Partner at Kearney and one of RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Experts for 2025. Katherine’s career has taken her from Capital One to dunnhumby, KPMG, and now Kearney - helping global retailers turn customer data into meaningful loyalty and long-term growth. She explains why curiosity beats coding, how the best loyalty programs are built on trust - not transactions - and why AI is most powerful when guided by human judgment. Katherine also reflects on lessons from her work with Tesco, Goodwill, and other global organizations, and what students and emerging leaders can learn from the next wave of “agent commerce.” Insightful, practical, and refreshingly human - this episode is a masterclass in transforming data into impact. Katherine Black Bio Katherine P. Black is a data-driven strategist and Partner at Kearney, where she helps global retail and consumer companies transform how they grow, compete, and create value through data. With more than twenty years of experience leading commercial and technical teams, she specializes in converting data assets into strategic advantage—building loyalty ecosystems, designing data-driven pricing and personalization, and launching large-scale monetization programs that unlock new revenue streams. Her work consistently delivers measurable results, driving mature businesses to 3–5-point sales growth and launching new lines that achieve double-digit gains in year one. Prior to Kearney, Katherine held leadership roles at KPMG and dunnhumby, where she led customer analytics partnerships with retailers including Tesco, Kroger, and Macy’s. She is a member of Chief, serves on the Board of Directors for Goodwill NY/NJ, and has been recognized among Retail Leader’s “Top Women to Watch in Retail” and DM News’ “40 Under 40.” Most recently, she was named one of RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Experts for 2025. A lifelong believer that “data gives a voice to every customer,” Katherine is passionate about helping companies listen better, act smarter, and grow with purpose.

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  8. Discipline, Drive, and Doing Good: Robert Irvine on Building Purpose-Driven Brands

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    Discipline, Drive, and Doing Good: Robert Irvine on Building Purpose-Driven Brands

    What happens when a chef becomes a changemaker? For Robert Irvine, transformation starts with discipline, purpose, and service. From the Royal Navy to Restaurant: Impossible, Robert has built a career helping others overcome the impossible—whether turning around struggling restaurants or creating mission-driven brands like FitCrunch, Robert Irvine Foods, and Irvine’s Spirits. In this episode, he shares lessons on leadership, technology, and transformation: why empathy belongs in business, how automation can enhance - not replace - human connection, and why slowing down can lead to smarter, stronger growth. Robert also reflects on the power of teamwork, the humility of service, and the importance of authenticity in leadership. His story reminds us that business can be a force for good—and that the best leaders are those who build both profit and purpose. 🎧 Tune in for an inspiring conversation on leadership, resilience, and the future of purpose-driven business. Robert Irvine's Bio: Robert Irvine is a world-class chef, entrepreneur, and philanthropist dedicated to improving lives through food, fitness, and service. Best known as the host of Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible, he has spent over a decade helping struggling restaurateurs transform their businesses and their lives. Beyond television, Robert leads a portfolio of purpose-driven brands—including FitCrunch, Robert Irvine Foods, Boardroom Spirits, and Irvine’s Vodka and Gin—each built around a commitment to quality, performance, and giving back. His companies have generated hundreds of millions in sales across grocery, food service, and consumer products, all while supporting the mission of the Robert Irvine Foundation, which provides aid to service members, veterans, and first responders. A former Royal Navy chef, Robert has carried the discipline and teamwork of military service into every venture. He has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Medal of Honor Society’s Bob Hope Award, the U.S. Department of Defense Spirit of Hope Award, and honorary designation as a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer. Through his foundation, books, and speaking engagements, Robert continues to inspire others to lead with integrity, resilience, and purpose—building brands that serve people first.

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Welcome to Retail Relates — where commerce gets personal. Each episode brings you inside the world of global commerce — across retail, consumer services, hospitality, and brand marketing — through powerful human stories and the ever-evolving forces shaping what we buy, why we buy, and how we connect. From entrepreneurs and icons to industry veterans and rising changemakers, we spotlight those redefining how people lead, create, and connect in a fast-moving world. Hosted by our roundtable of industry experts, we offer a 360° view of the marketplace through honest conversations, lived experience, and practical insights that resonate. Let’s get started — this is where the story of modern commerce comes to life.

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