The Retail Influencer Network, a network of senior business leaders, investors and analysts founded by Berns Communications Group, today announced the initial speaker lineup for its second annual Retail Influencer CEO Forum Featuring the Z Suite. The total-day, invitation-only summit on Sept. 12 at Recent York’s Crosby Street Hotel will unite Gen Z leaders and influencers with retail and brand executives “to assist the industry unlock the Gen Z consumer mindset,” in accordance with organizers.

The forum’s programming will center on the theme of “Courageous Leadership Paving the Way for Real Change,” and featured speakers will include “CEOs, ZEOs and senior executives who’re leading with conviction and connecting deeply with Gen Zers along the way in which,” BCG said in an announcement.

The initial speaker lineup includes Andy Dunn, cofounder of Bonobos; Joon Silverstein, senior vice chairman of selling of Coach and head of Coachtopia; Laurie Lam, beauty chief brand officer of E.l.f. Beauty; Winnie Park, chief executive officer of Endlessly 21; Shawn Outler, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Macy’s Inc., and Rebecca Minkoff, designer and founding father of her namesake brand, together with Gen Z influencers and leaders comparable to Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, cofounders of Phia; Ziad Ahmed, JUV Consulting founder and CEO, and Jake Bjorseth, founder and CEO of Trndsttrs.

Joanna Coles will serve because the forum’s emcee and members of The Z Suite, a network of Gen Z thought leaders, will take part in discussions throughout the day. The Z Suite is co-chaired and managed by BCG assistant vice presidents Carly Berns and Felicia Kane.

Along with the forum, BCG and The Z Suite also said nominations at the moment are open for the inaugural “Most Influential ESG Leaders” list. The list will recognize each senior-level executives and Gen Z leaders who’re driving positive change in environmental, social and governance practices within the retail, technology and consumer spaces. Nominees will probably be judged by a panel composed of leaders from BCG, the Z Suite, JUV Consulting and editors from WWD.

The list will probably be published in WWD on Sept. 12, and the honorees will probably be celebrated at an exclusive breakfast event the day of the forum.

[Please click here by Monday, June 12, to nominate a Gen Z founder or leader or a brand executive who should be recognized as one of the Most Influential ESG Leaders.]

“This forum is a novel opportunity to uncover what Gen Z truly values and the way brand leaders are constructing strategies to satisfy them where they’re,” said Stacy Berns, president and founding father of Berns Communications Group. “We imagine that by bringing together these influential voices, we are able to drive positive change, foster innovation and shape more sustainable, inclusive and responsible business practices.”

BCG said the Retail Influencer CEO Forum “will provide the actionable intelligence today’s retail leaders need to know Gen Z consumers’ priorities and shopping behaviors, with keynotes, panels, fireside chats and ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions on topics comparable to Gen Z consumer shopping trends; wellness and sweetness breakthroughs; knowing your value; purpose-driven and sustainable shopping; commerce, culture and community, and the long run of labor.”

Additional speakers featured speakers on the Sept. 12 forum, include Bea Arthur, founder and CEO of The Difference; Trisha Bantigue, CEO of Queenly; Kelsey Davis, founder and CEO of Cllctve; Shai Eisenman, founder and CEO of Bubble Skincare; Patrick Finnegan, managing partner of Intuition Capital; Emily Gittins, cofounder and CEO of Archive; Anthony Marino, president of ThredUp; Danny Meyer, founder and executive chairman of Union Square Hospitality Group; Elizabeth Oates, vice chairman of consumer insights at Ulta Beauty; Sarah Paiji Yoo, cofounder and CEO of Blueland; Sapna Parikh, chief digital officer of Kendo Brands and LVMH (Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, Ole Henriksen, KVD Vegan Beauty and Lip Lab); Sally Susman, chief corporate affairs officer and executive vice chairman at Pfizer; Stacy Taffet, senior vice chairman of selling at PepsiCo Beverages North America; Karin Tracy, head of industry of fashion, luxury and retail at Meta; Sunny Woo, senior vice chairman of AE and Aerie Stores within the U.S. and Canada; American Eagle Outfitters Inc., and TZ (Tiffany Zhong), aka “The Gen Z Whisperer.”