2022/new york
Values+Purpose
Values+Purpose
Leading the Neo-Renaissance
Co-hosted by Wharton’s Jay H. Baker Retailing Center and Retail Leaders Circle, the 2022 CEO Summit took place on March 1, 2022, in New York City.
Held under the theme “Values + Purpose: Leading the Neo-Renaissance,” the exclusive, daylong Summit highlighted leaders and companies that are successfully earning consumer trust by putting purpose at the center of their business, while helping shape a more conscious and purposeful future for retail.
The agenda offered an inside view of how leading organizations are driving profitability by aligning their business model with new consumer priorities and working to create an entirely ethical value chain.
The invitation-only gathering brought together 150 of the most senior retail and brand executives for a power-packed day of insight, dialogue, and strategic connection.
Our notable speakers

Ryan Breslow
Founder & Executive Chairman, Bolt

Trey Brown
Founder & CEO, SPERGO

Neil Blumenthal
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Warby Parker

Kendra Bracken-
Ferguson
Founder, BrainTrust

Lori Coulter
Co-Founder & CEO, Summersalt

Danny Meyer
CEO, Union Square Hospitality Group

Sally Susman
Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Pfizer

Debra Perelman
President & CEO, Revlon
- Jeff Raider
- Nicholas Reichenbach
- James Reinhart
- Walter Robb
- Raj Seshadri
- Rob Smith
- Trina Spear
- Shekar Natarajan
- Cami Téllez
- Steven Bertoni
- Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne
- Sheena Butler-Young
- Sona Jones
- Samir Nurmohamed
- Rachel Shectman
- Brian Sullivan
- Lauren Thomas
- Stacey Widlitz
Highlights
Revisiting the ideas, voices, and connections that shaped the conversation—and the future—at the 2022 CEO Summit.
Highlights
Revisiting the ideas, voices, and connections that shaped the conversation—and the future—at the 2022 CEO Summit.
Agenda
Covid has completely upended the way we shop, work, learn, and live. What did brands learn from navigating the pandemic? And what can brands do to show employees and customers that safety is, and will continue to be, an integral part of their mission?
Danny Meyer, CEO, Union Square Hospitality Group
Sally Sussman, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Pfizer
Brian Sullivan, “Worldwide Exchange” Anchor & Senior National Correspondent, CNBC
Being true to their values and purpose is woven into Warby Parker’s DNA. Let’s talk about ESG— environmental, social, and corporate governance. How do companies embed ESG into their organizations and track measurable ESG efforts in their business? Are authenticity and good corporate citizenship a recipe for brand success?
Neil Blumenthal (WG10), Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Warby Parker
Samir Nurmohamed, Assistant Professor of Management, The Wharton School
The bottled water industry has not changed significantly in years, despite growing consumer concerns about the impact of plastic bottles to health and the environment. Flow, which first introduced its eco-palatable boxed water in 2014, leaned into both innovation and sustainability to address consumer concerns. Where do innovation, mission, and ethically-sound production meet?
Nicholas Reichenbach, Founder & Executive Chairman, Flow
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, President & CEO, Americas, ESW
The changing face of beauty is moving toward more diversity in both traditional and digital marketing. As diversity and inclusion dominate conversations, more brands are reacting positively. However, unfortunately it’s not translating to more diversity in leadership. How can organizations create pathways for underrepresented groups to make their way into the C-suite?
Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, Founder, BrainTrust
Debra Perelman, President & CEO, Revlon
Not too long ago, “secondhand” had a completely different connotation. It meant digging through piles of old discarded clothing hoping to find that one good piece. However, in the last decade, the pre-loved market has grown exponentially; fueled by the economy, a heightened focus on ethical shopping, and the ease of online marketplaces. What’s next for the pre-loved market?
James Reinhart, Co-Founder & CEO, thredUP
It’s a pivotal time in the workplace to understand and align with the evolving employee and consumer. Gender expansive training and awareness are critical for organizations to impact change. Companies are working to create a culture to embrace a gender-free workplace. How are successful organizations doing this?
Rob Smith, Founder & CEO, The Phluid Project
85% of consumers say they’re willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability challenges and 75% plan to be more conscious about where they shop, favoring businesses that share their personal values. Leading businesses are prioritizing purpose-driven initiatives to both demonstrate their values and meet these consumer expectations. This session will share efforts to drive a more inclusive, sustainable digital economy. It will also showcase innovative examples of how organizations are bringing ESG principles to life by leveraging data,
analytics, and new technologies.
Raj Seshadri, President, Data & Services, Mastercard
Supply chain agility and resilience have always been important to the consumer purchasing journey. However, during the pandemic, supply chain disruptions combined with more demanding consumer expectations accelerated major logistics initiatives. Is building a shared, scalable, hyper- efficient supply chain the answer to the problem? And how sustainable is it?
Shekar Natarajan, Chief Global Supply Chain Officer, American Eagle Outfitters, CEO, Quiet
Stacey Widlitz, President, SW Retail Advisors & On Air Contributor
The last decade saw a huge leap of interest in inclusivity from both consumers and the media. Consumers want realness from their brands, and they’ll give trust and loyalty to companies that have that. Retailers and brands that lean into more inclusivity and diversity as a core value are already ahead of the game, but there’s still time to catch up and build a brand that welcomes all.
Lori Coulter, Co-Founder & CEO, Summersalt
Cami Téllez, Founder & CEO, Parade
Lauren Thomas, Reporter, CNBC
Simply put, food democracy emphasizes a fulfillment of the human right to safe, nutritious food that’s been justly produced. In addition, it contributes to long-term preventable health issues in children and adults. Unfortunately, affordable access to locally sourced fresh food for all people and all communities is a global issue. Everyone deserves a healthy, nutritious meal, and the challenge is to make it equitable for all. How do we do better?
Walter Robb, Former CEO, Whole Foods Market
Sona Jones, Vice President, Growth & Impact, WW International
Besides selling a product, what does your brand offer consumers? One intangible and irreplaceable offering is community. How can your brand create the type of community that isn’t just transactional, but one that creates life-long advocates that align with your brand values?
Trina Spear, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, FIGS
Rachel Shechtman, Founder, Story
Men’s mental health often goes overlooked, because of social stigmas and stereotypes around emotional expression and vulnerability. When you as a brand commit to a social mission, in addition to aligning with other organizations, how do you “walk the walk”? How do your own initiatives and company culture support the cause to foster impact outside and inside the organization?
Jeff Raider (WG10), Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Harry’s
Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor, Forbes Founders
Our Partners










Walter Robb
Former CEO, Whole Foods Market



Ryan Breslow
Founder & Executive Chairman, Bolt



Neil Blumenthal
Co-founder & Co-CEO, Warby Parker
