Regional Summits Past Events

Evolution of Commerce Summit: The Future of Shopper Engagement

Aug 19 • Hosted by Kroger at 84.51° Centre • Cincinnati

The Evolution of Commerce Summit is a marquee gathering of today’s most influential retail, brand, and media leaders. Hosted by Kroger in Cincinnati, this day-long experience will spotlight how the future of commerce is being shaped by dynamic shifts in consumer behavior, emerging retail technologies, data-driven media, and breakthrough marketing innovation.

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

8:30 AM Breakfast & Registration
9:30 AM Welcome Remarks

Brandon Gutman, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

Marc Sternberg, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Brand Innovators

Tom Duncan, Vice President, Head of Marketing, Kroger

Emcee: Brian Spencer, Marketing Director, KPM/84.51°
9:40 AM Opening Keynote

Colleen Lindholz, President, Kroger Health
10:10 AM How Data & AI Are Transforming the Shopping Experience

Nick Hamilton, Senior Vice President, Head of Technology, Kroger Precision Marketing

Adam Weber, Chief Marketing Officer, Hungryroot

Moderated by: Rachel Hazelwood, VP, Commerce Experience (CX, CRM, & Digital Transformation), Horizon Commerce
10:40 AM The Connected Consumer: Omnichannel Strategies for Success

Mike Burke, Manager, Partnerships & Omnichannel Media, The Hershey Co.

Tony Fung, Director of Shopper Marketing & E-Commerce, Bob Evans Farms

Maggie Glacken, Senior Director of Customer and eCommerce Experience, Kroger

Moderated by: Adam Ross, Sales Director, Commerce & RMN Partnerships, SiriusXM Media
11:10 AM Networking Break
11:40 AM Retail Media Unchained: Breaking the Old Rules of CPG Advertising

Benoit Vatere, Chief Media Officer, Liquid Death

Moderated by: Jeff Hilder, Head of Sales-Central Region, Quantcast
12:10 PM Marketing in the New World of Commerce

Drew Cashmore, Chief Strategy Officer, Vantage

Moderated by: Tom Duncan, Vice President, Head of Marketing, Kroger
12:40 PM Lunch
1:40 PM Afternoon Reset: The Best Career Advice I Ever Received Was…

Tony Fung, Director of Shopper Marketing & E-Commerce, Bob Evans Farms

Arthur Sylvestre, VP Digital Commerce, Danone

Moderated by: Jessie Dowd, Vice President, Content & Community, Brand Innovators
1:50 PM The Modern Marketer’s Roadmap

Carly Kerlakian, Director of Omnichannel Activation, Mondelēz International

Emily Minardi, Senior Marketing Director, Consumer Experience Enablement, Kellanova

Mandy Rinderle, Customer Vice President, Omni Shopper Commerce, Campbells

Moderated by: Mandie Kijinski, Sr. Account Director, Midwest, Audigent – a part of Experian
2:20 PM Winning at Social Commerce: Strategies That Actually Work

Michelle Paul, Enterprise Sales Director, Bazaarvoice

Jehan Luth, Head of Neighborhood Commerce and Retail Media, BILT Rewards

Moderated by: Anthony Russell, Director: Social Commerce, Emerging Media, Gaming, Innovation, Procter & Gamble
2:50 PM Networking Break
3:20 PM Retail Media Success: Seizing Untapped Opportunities

Arthur Sylvestre, VP Digital Commerce, Danone

Sam Walston, Vice President, Kroger Precision Marketing

Moderated by: Remi Boleky, Senior Manager, Retail Media Solutions, Kargo
3:50 PM The Next Frontier of Shopper Engagement: Gen Z & Alpha

Sarah Paulson, Senior Brand Manager, Retail and Licensing, White Castle

Rick Shuman, Customer Director Omnichannel Activation, Mondelēz International

Bryan Waddell, Acting CMO & Vice President of Brand Marketing, Feastables

Moderated by: John Shirley, Senior Director of Sales, Attain
4:20 PM The Power of Impactful Partnerships

Darryl McDaniels, RUN DMC

Graham Williams, Chief Growth Officer, HATCH
4:45 PM Closing Remarks