An exclusive
gathering for
the leaders
shaping
tomorrow
The 2025 CEO Summit, co-hosted by The Wharton School’s Baker Retailing Center and RLC Global Forum on October 15 in New York, is a private, invitation-only convening of the most influential minds in retail and brand leadership.
This year’s theme, “Leading Through Polarization,” acknowledges the complex forces shaping the business world—economic uncertainty, cultural divides, and rising stakeholder expectations. It calls on today’s CEOs to respond not with retreat, but with clarity, courage, and strategic conviction.
Join us to explore how bold leadership can cut through division, rebuild trust, and redefine relevance in a fragmented world.
What does it mean
to lead in a
polarized world?
What does it mean to lead in a polarized world?
The 2025 CEO Summit—co-hosted by The Wharton School’s Baker Retailing Center and RLC Global Forum—will tackle this urgent question head-on.
Held on October 16 in New York City, this exclusive, invitation-only event centers on the theme “Leading in a Polarized World,” addressing the growing complexity leaders face as they navigate global volatility, institutional distrust, economic instability, and fractured markets.
1
5
0
C-level Executives
8
5
%
Retailers and Brands
1
5
+
Speakers
Roster
The 2025 CEO Summit will feature a distinguished lineup of CEOs, brand innovators, and industry experts from across the global retail landscape. On October 16 in New York, these influential voices will share their insights and experiences, driving vital discussions on how leadership must evolve in an era of division and disruption.
Renowned for its candid conversations and off-the-record insights, this exclusive industry gathering delivers real-time dialogue, high-level exchange, and purposeful networking that lead to bold ideas and practical leadership outcomes.
Past Speakers
John Furner President and CEO, Walmart U.S.
Jennifer Hyman Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer,Rent the Runway
Neil Blumenthal Co-founder & co-CEO, Warby Parker
Marc Metrick President, Saks Fifth Avenue
Shea Jensen President, Urban Outfitters
Ethan Mollick Ralph J. Roberts Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Associate Professor of Management, Co-director, GenerativeAI Lab at The Wharton School
Retail Excellence Award
On October 15, we celebrate Terry Lundgren—trailblazing former CEO and chairman of Macy’s, and an iconic figure in American retail—with the Retail Excellence Award, in recognition of his bold leadership, industry-shaping vision, and enduring legacy.
Past Attendees
