Speakers

CATHERINE PITMAN Senior Vice President, Partnership Innovation, ZETA Global

Catherine Pitman is passionate about working with companies’ shared genius to build the next generation of intelligent consumer marketing tools. As Senior Vice President, Partnership Innovation at Zeta Global, she helps lead strategy around vertical and advertising activation products. Using Zeta’s leading AI enabled marketing and advertising tech, she is excited to bring custom AI agents to clients to help answer their most pressing questions. She brings ten years of experience operating in the advertising tech space. Catherine is based out of Nashville with her little dog, Theo.

DAVID HARRISON Executive Vice President, Evins Communications, Ltd.

David Harrison is Executive Vice President at Evins and directs the agency’s Data & Innovation practice. David combines expertise in traditional marketing, branding and communications with a focus on digital incorporation and optimization, creating successful and award-winning 360-degree campaigns for clients in the lifestyle, wine and spirits, hospitality and entertainment industries.

David combines a background in writing and journalism with a thorough knowledge of communications channels and platforms as well as the latest tools and technology, managing and guiding clients such as Maker’s Mark, Louis Jadot, Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani, Uniworld River Cruises, DUX, Arlo Hotels, National Limousine Association and Colgin Cellars. David’s media training and executive communications courses have prepared leaders and spokespeople for major media opportunities and public speaking events, including broadcast interviews and conversations with outlets both national and international. Additionally, his development of comprehensive and proprietary monitoring and analytics reporting strategies have proven invaluable in client new product launches, event planning and crisis communications.

Prior to joining Evins in 2011, David developed and implemented new media launches, communications training and campaign strategies for numerous brands, both with Lush Life Productions, a boutique wine & spirits agency, as well as on a freelance basis. David’s work has earned Evins an AVA Gold Award, a Telly Bronze Award, a Shorty Award and two Hermes Awards – gold and platinum, and he is a frequent contributor to a variety of business publications, including Forbes.

EMILIE HO  Co-Founder & CEO, Make the Dot

Emilie Ho, Co-Founder & CEO of Make the Dot, is an expert in the fashion supply chain.

Prior to Make the Dot, Emilie was the Head of Digital Product at Li & Fung, the largest fashion supply chain management company.

Driven by her experience witnessing inefficiencies and waste at the leading incumbent, she launched Make the Dot with her ex-colleagues, now co-founders, to bridge the gaps between design and sourcing at scale.

They are on a mission to digitize the first-mile global fashion supply chain.

MATTHEW ADAM SMITH Founder & CEO, TWO ISAACS

Matthew Adam Smith is Founder and CEO of TWO ISAACS—a strategic consultancy guiding Retailers, Brands, and Platforms toward responsible growth through AI and Advanced Tech. He’s been named a Top AI Leader and Top Retail Expert by RETHINK Retail and a Top Retail Influencer by Thinkers360, and hosts the popular “AiR Leaders Podcast”. Passionate about social justice. Matthew founded the non-profit CommerceCares to unite commerce professionals around positive change for our workforces and communities.

Matthew drove Walmart’s commercial transformation as a launch leader of its retail media and eCommerce marketplace platforms—now responsible for more than half of the company’s net profit. He previously led revenue for iconic media brands Men’s Health, WIRED, Fast Company and Dr. Oz, and originated diversity marketing efforts for HBO, Target, Wells Fargo, and Mercedes-Benz USA.

Speakers

DEBORAH WEINSWIG Founder & CEO, Coresight Research

Deborah Weinswig, CEO and Founder of Coresight Research Inc., has been a trusted thought leader at the crossroads of technology, finance, and retail for nearly two decades.

With years of experience as a leading analyst, strategist, and thought leader, Deborah leverages her deep expertise in retail, technology, AI, Metaverse, China, livestreaming, retail media, supply chain, commercial real estate, and data monetization to lead the Coresight Research team to provide actionable insights and solutions for retailers and brands that accelerate innovation and growth in the fast-changing retail and technology landscape. In 2023, Deborah conceptualized and launched the first AI Council for the retail industry. This invitation only organization has proven invaluable to helping brands, retailers, and technology companies navigate business in the artificial intelligence age.

Deborah is also a best-selling author, a keynote speaker, and a board member of several prominent retail and technology companies as well as several charitable organizations. A member of the prestigious LinkedIn Top Voices program, Deborah is recognized as one of the top retail influencers in the world and has received multiple awards and honors for her industry leadership and impact. Deborah is passionate about fostering conversation and collaboration among the retail and technology community and supporting social and environmental causes through her research and advocacy.

Deborah has been invited to share her insights and Coresight Research data at over 200 events across the world including the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), ShopTalk, RILA, FMI, World Retail Congress, NRF, ICSC, Money 20/20, Retail Innovation Conference & Expo (RICE), Future Stores Summit, NACDS, Total Retail Tech, GroceryShop, Women in Retail, NACS and more.

Across the globe, media outlets frequently request Deborah as a guest to provide a pulse on current industry trends and retail industry newsmakers. She has been featured on CNBC, Bloomberg, Barron’s, The Street, NASDAQ, Fast Company, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, CNN, Marketwatch, Yahoo Finance, and many more.

ROBERT D’ LOREN Founder, Chairman & CEO, Xcel Brands

Robert W. D’Loren has been an entrepreneur, innovator and pioneer focused on the consumer products and media industries for the past 35 years. Today, he serves as the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xcel, which owns the Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka, H Halston, C Wonder by Christian Siriano, Longaberger, and TWRHLL by Christie Brinkley brands. Also, he serves as Chairman of IPX Capital, LLC and related subsidiaries, a consumer products and media investment company; and co-founded KonnectBio, Inc. and ORME, both livestream and social commerce technology companies.

Prior to Xcel Brands, Mr. D’Loren was Founder, President and CEO of NexCen Brands, a global brand acquisition and management company. Prior to that he co-founded with Prudential Securities, UCC Capital Corporation and served as CEO. Mr. D’Loren has also served as an asset manager for Fosterlane Management; he has also served as a manager with Deloitte.

Mr. D’Loren is a 2-time winner of the Wall Street Deal Maker of the year awards including an Executive Council of New York Ten Awards. Mr. D’Loren is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an M.S. from Columbia University and a B.S. from New York University, Stern Business School.

Speakers

CHARISMA GLASSMAN Strategic Client Partner & Senior Director (Principal),Capgemini

Charisma Glassman is a global business and technology transformation executive, currently serving as the Portfolio Head of Consumer Products, Luxury, and Retail at Capgemini, a global consulting firm headquartered in Paris, France. A trusted leader and strategic advisor to C-suite executives, she has shaped the future of iconic brands such as Pepsi Co, McDonald’s, Unilever, Moët Hennessy (LVMH), Tapestry,Loreal, Barclays, Citi, and Ferrari, among others. With deep expertise across North American and Asian markets, she has driven transformative initiatives in revenue generation, customer experience innovation,and operational efficiency, delivering measurable business results.

Before joining Capgemini, Charisma was the Head of Customer Technology at Barclays Bank, where she led the global bank through crisis and successfully spearheaded large-scale transformations. Her effort snot only positioned Barclays for long-term success but also resulted in savings of £100 million for the bank. For her exceptional leadership and impact, she was awarded the prestigious Barclays CEO Award.

Charisma has earned a reputation for seamlessly blending technology and business strategy, making her a highly sought-after speaker and thought leader. She has delivered keynote speeches at prestigious events such as the UBS Women in Luxury Conference, where she addressed trends in wealth and luxury sectors,and the Harvard Tech Conference, where she explored the future of omni channel experiences for luxury brands. Her insights have also been featured in leading media outlets including Forbes, Fast Company,Venture Beat, and USA Today, further establishing her as an influential voice in global business and technology transformations.

MARCO BUCHBINDER Founder & CEO , Ampliforce

Marco Buchbinder is the Founder & CEO of Ampliforce, an AI firm revolutionizing the future of work by deploying intelligent agents to enhance workforce efficiency. He is also the bestselling author of The AI Agent Mandate: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI, providing a roadmap for AI-driven business transformation.

Since founding Ampliforce in 2017, Marco has led the development of AI-powered enterprise solutions that boost productivity, reduce costs, and mitigate risk. With 30+ years of leadership experience across Fortune 100 companies and startups, he has driven strategic innovation and technological change at scale.

Previously, Marco held executive roles at EMC (now Dell Technologies) for 18 years and served as President & COO of GuestMetrics (acquired by Circana) and CEO of Technogym North America. His entrepreneurial ventures include executive roles at Storability Software (acquired by Oracle) and Advanced Solutions (acquired by Waste Management).

A global executive and AI thought leader, Marco has operated across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa, served on multiple joint venture boards, and advises enterprises on AI strategy and workforce transformation. His expertise makes him a sought-after speaker and strategic consultant in AI-driven business evolution.

RANJAN MAHTANI Founder & Chairman, EPIC Group

A true veteran of the textile industry, EPIC Group Founder and Chairman, Ranjan Mahtani started in the industry as a teenager, cutting his cloth in India, Sri Lanka and Taiwan. Then in the early 1980s, on a business trip to Bangladesh, he recognised the true potential of that country and set up the biggest buying office in Bangladesh. From this moment the EPIC Group we know today started to take shape.

After 15 years in Bangladesh, Mahtani established Epic’s Corporate HQ in Hong Kong along with its New York operations. He was joined by Sunil Daryanani and Dinesh Virwani in the early 1990s, who led operations first in Bangladesh, and now in Hong Kong.

Ranjan Mahtani has expanded EPIC from major buying operation to major manufacturing operation, with further expansion plans that include services Beyond Manufacturing.

ROGER YOUNG Partner, Star Step Capital & President, Verda-Le Jeune, LLC

Roger is a veteran 35-year corporate executive having served in a multitude of industries, including coatings and specialty chemicals, energy, and apparel & fashion, throughout Asia, Europe and in the U.S. He was formerly global Human Resources Officer at apparel sourcing and supply chain giant, Li & Fung, and Chief Strategy Officer of EPIC Group, one of the largest apparel manufacturers in the world, where he was a part of leading significant leadership transformations and digitalization of the end-to-end apparel supply chain. Roger is an expert in organizational and leadership development.

Today, Roger is an operating partner in a private capital firm, a leadership consultant with ALULA Consulting, and has joined forces with the Founder/CEO/Creative Director, Cyril Verdavainne, of the custom luxury women’s eveningwear brand, VERDAVAINNE in New York. Roger serves on the special events committee of Fashion Group International.

Speakers

ALESSIO ROSSI Global Beauty & Luxury Digital Transformation Leader

Alessio Rossi is Execu-ve Vice President at Shiseido Americas, where he leads brand strategy and growth ini-a-ves for brand
Shiseido and Clé de Peau Beauté in the US. In this role, he has designed and implemented a comprehensive five-year plan
aimed at doubling CAGR exceeding market growth while steering product innova-on, footprint expansion, and marke-ng
evolu-on. Rossi connected Eastern and Western business prac-ces accelera-ng globaliza-on of Shiseido.

His strategic reposi-oning of brands in the luxury segment has driven significant margin growth, and he has successfully
restructured marke-ng teams while introducing rigorous P&L management and strong collabora-on with key retailers. He
par-cipated in strategic M&A processes to define porPolio expansion and evolu-on. In his first role at Shiseido as Global
Chief Digital Officer, he pioneered the company’s digital transforma-on strategy steering a new vision, organiza-on, and
capabili-es across Americas, EMEA and Asia.

Prior to his current posi-on, Rossi held leadership roles at global luxury conglomerates including Duca- (Audi), Kering, and
Lancôme (L’Oréal). He holds an Execu-ve MBA from Bologna Business School and has completed execu-ve educa-on
programs at Harvard Business School and MIT. He serves on the Scien-fic Board of Bologna Business School and mentors
underprivileged students through iMentor NYC.

KIMBERLY CARNEY Founder & CEO, GlossWire

Kimberly Carney is the Founder and CEO of The Wires, three high-growth global B2B2C platform marketplaces: FashWire, GlossWire and CasaWire. Kimberly is an entrepreneur who is passionate about tech, supporting emerging brands, and a fierce advocate for both individual and company success. She is deeply experienced in building and growing successful businesses.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing for mobile and tech companies and 15 years in the multi-brand retail space, Kimberly has a unique perspective into fashion and beauty’s interplay of data and marketability. The drive to bridge the connection between technology, consumers and brands was the catalyst for Kimberly to launch FashWire. In 2018, she seized the opportunity in the fashion sector to connect fashion designers and consumers by leveraging technology in an innovative, low cost and scalable way. Kimberly combined her previous experience in tech with her retail knowledge and industry experience to develop a platform where emerging and established brands could co-exist in one space, providing valuable data for the industry.

In addition to disrupting the fashion space, Kimberly launched into beauty in 2021 with GlossWire, a one-stop technology platform solution catering to emerging beauty brands. GlossWire has grown to over 300 beauty brands and Kimberly is already making a significant impact in the beauty industry, including being a named a finalist in Unilever Prestige and WWD’s Project Connect in 2021 and in the 2022 Glossy Beauty Awards for Best Use of Emerging Digital Platform. With the success of FashWire and GlossWire, Kimberly recently launched into the home and décor $700B global market with CasaWire.

Kimberly was the 1st Place Winner for Women in Business in the 2021 for the International Trade Council’s Go Global Awards and won New Retail Concept for Fashion Group International’s 2021 Rising Star Award in 2021 She serves on the Board of Gifting Brands and most recently, FashWire won Best Fashion Marketplace in the 2022 Glossy Fashion Awards. Kimberly is also recognized by New York Fashion Tech Lab as an industry expert and by Authority Magazine as a female disruptor in technology. Most recently, Kimberly received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at Fashion Group International’s 2023 Rising Star Awards. Kimberly holds an BA in Business Management and Marketing from Seattle University.

Kimberly is a rare mix of fashion, beauty, and tech with an entrepreneurial spirit. She has an innate talent to identify market needs and delivers on those needs through passion, vision, drive and authenticity. Simply put, she is a trailblazer within the retail digital sector.

WAYNE LIU Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Perfect Corp.

Wayne Liu is the Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Perfect Corp. He has been in his current position since June 2015. He has built the groundwork for Perfect by recruiting key talent, and establishing partnerships with beauty brands and retailers such as L’Oréal, Estee Lauder, Target and other highly influential organizations.

Prior to Perfect Corp, Mr. Liu joined Perfect’s parent company CyberLink in 2009. He was responsible for key partner development, sales strategy and business growth. He grew several multi-million dollar global accounts and managed heavy weight industrial partners such as Lenovo, Intel, Qualcomm, Time Warner., Comcast, and DirecTV.

Mr. Liu has worked in various engineering and marketing management positions at Intel, Broadcom and NVIDIA before joining Cyberlink.

Mr. Liu graduated from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan in June 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He completed his Masters of Science degree from Case Western Reserve University in June 1994. He then continued pursuing advanced studies by attending the Electrical Engineering Ph.D. program at the University of Southern California. Later, he earned his MBA Degree in Finance from Santa Clara University in June 2011.”