A conversation with

David Hardiman-Evans, Senior Vice President of Global Business Development for Ocado Solutions, could accurately be described as a corporate technology retail power broker for the grocery industry. As such, he wields the responsibility of growing and maintaining both current and new potential partner relationships for the brand.

Bernardine Wu is the Executive Managing Director of OSF Digital’s Strategy Team. She was also formerly the founder and CEO of FitForCommerce, and co-founder of The Innovation Office. She’s a writer, public speaker, and thought leader in the retail industry, and currently serves on the board of Women of Color Retail Alliance. She’s also served on the NRF Shop.org Board, the NRF Digital Council, and the NRF Awards Committee.

Melissa Gonzalez is a Principal and Shareholder at MG2, and founder of The Lion’esque Group, an MG2 Studio. She’s an award-winning innovator, a seasoned visionary, and an elite brand storyteller. Her professional resume is impressive. She’s worked with companies like Victoria’s Secret, Nordstrom, and Burrow, and has specialized in pioneering the integration of physical environments with cutting-edge technology.

Amanda Astrologo is a Partner in The Parker Avery Group, and has held key leadership positions in retail, merchandising, planning, replenishment, and forecasting over the course of her illustrious 20-year career. She’s worked with a roster of retail names, the likes of which include iconic organizations like At Home, Belk, Kendra Scott, Orvis, Party City, and The Fresh Market. She’s also been an honored presenter at several prominent industry events, including GroceryShop, Oracle Retail CrossTalk, and Zipline Aspire. And she also has broad, professional experience with a wide range of retail segments, including grocery, apparel, department store management, and specialty products.

Michael Zakkour is a retail and consumer thought leader and hands-on practitioner who was instrumental in the early ‘infrastructure-building days’ of Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. He was an early pioneer in the prolific Chinese digital and retail revolution, a two time best-selling author.

Andrew Busby is a writer, speaker, former Forbes contributor, retail expert, and author of the best-selling book Harry Was Right All Along. He’s the Global Retail Senior Director at Software AG. He’s also the founder of Retail Reflections, and one of the highest-profile figures in retail in the world.

Ethelbert Williams leads the Johnson & Johnson Consumer eCommerce group—where he’s tasked with spearheading sales growth and profitability—and serves on the U.S. Customer Development Leadership Team. A 20 year veteran of global commercial leadership, he’s worked with a number of prestigious retail organizations—including Procter & Gamble, The Boston Beer Company, Kroger, Target, and Amazon.

Rick Watson, the founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, is a technology entrepreneur, operator, management guru, and overall e-commerce wizard. Rick spent 20+ years blazing his own trail to business success in the e-commerce industry working with companies like ChannelAdvisor, Merchantry, Barnes & Noble, and Pitney Bowes. To say that he’s been a pioneer who’s shaken up the industry would be a massive understatement.

Alex is an experienced customer research professional who applies his Experimental Social Psychology background and passion for research, design, and innovation to solving important customer and business problems. His professional goal is to help teams create remarkable products and services that’ll make people’s lives easier and more enjoyable.

Amy Daugherty is a veteran global marketer, strategist, and creative leader with 21 years of experience working across CPG, luxury, beauty, fragrance, and home goods. Amy was recently appointed Head of US Marketing for Costa Coffee, the leading UK coffee brand, recently acquired by The Coca-Cola Company – Now, how did she get here?