Rethink Retail Brings Together Supply Chain Executives from Converse, David Yurman, REI and More to Launch Cross-Industry Leadership Community

Chaired by global supply chain executive Jennifer Kobus, Supply Chain in Retail brings together leaders from the world's largest brands and retailers with an inaugural gathering slated for NRF 2027

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rethink Retail today announced the launch of Supply Chain in Retail (SCiR), a new executive community bringing together senior supply chain leaders from across retail and consumer brands to exchange operational insights, challenge conventional thinking and learn from different business models.

Chaired by Jennifer Kobus, Global SVP Supply Chain at Vibrantz Technologies and former Ulta Beauty executive, SCiR is designed to address a fundamental challenge facing the industry: while retailers and brands operate increasingly complex supply chains, opportunities for senior practitioners to exchange practical knowledge across sectors remain fragmented.

From inventory planning and global sourcing to fulfillment, automation and operational resilience, many of retail's most consequential challenges cut across categories. SCiR creates a dedicated environment where executives can explore how peers from across different sectors approach similar problems and apply those lessons within their own organizations.

"Some of the most valuable insights in retail come from people solving similar problems in entirely different businesses," said Marie Chevrier Schwartz, CEO of Rethink Retail. "We've seen through our existing communities how much more meaningful industry conversations become when practitioners help shape the agenda. With SCiR, we're extending that approach to the leaders making the operational decisions that ultimately determine how retail performs."

Built by supply chain operators, for supply chain operators

SCiR launches with a founding cohort of senior practitioners who will shape the community's priorities and programming and lead ongoing peer exchange and executive discussions. SCiR plans to expand participation across the broader supply chain ecosystem, including technology and logistics partners.

Initial founding members include:

• Leila Jalai, Chief Supply Chain Officer, David Yurman
• Kristin Bauer, Chief Operating Officer, Converse
• Devin Hryhoruk, Vice President, Merchandise Planning and Allocations, Mark's
• Radharaman Jha, Vice President- Supply Chain, Flaconi
• Ruchi Christensen, VP of Global Supply Chain, REI
• Carolyn Scafuri, Head of Planning, Farmer's Fridge
• Miguel Martins da Silva, Group Chief Supply Chain Officer, Dr.Max

Rather than organizing conversations around a single retail category, SCiR brings together leaders with different operating models and perspectives. Its member-driven agenda spans core supply chain functions, including planning, inventory management, sourcing, logistics, fulfillment and risk.

"What excites me most about SCiR is the opportunity to bring supply chain leaders together in a trusted community where we can learn from one another, benchmark and openly share what's working and what isn't," said Jennifer Kobus, Chair of Supply Chain in Retail. "By connecting leaders across the retail supply chain, we can turn shared experiences and best practices into practical solutions and collectively advance a more reliable, resilient and future-ready retail supply chain."

Founding members see the same opportunity in their own businesses.

"Retail is an incredibly complex industry, with diverse business models and unique supply chain challenges across hard and soft goods," said Leila Jalai, Chief Supply Chain Officer, David Yurman. "While retail and supply chain communities each offer tremendous value, I see a real opportunity to bring these two worlds together. As AI, technology, and changing market dynamics reshape our industry, focused collaboration becomes even more important to address the specific challenges and opportunities ahead. That is exactly what this community is for."

"When your product's shelf life is measured in days, there's little margin for error, and that pressure forces a lot of creativity," said Carolyn Scafuri, Head of Planning, Farmer's Fridge. "There's tremendous value in bringing ideas from other industries into fresh food and sharing lessons from fresh food in return. Supply chain leaders benefit from a community where those exchanges happen openly, across categories and company sizes.

Supply Chain Sunday to convene retail leaders during NRF 2027

SCiR's inaugural in-person gathering, Supply Chain Sunday, will take place January 10, 2027, at Lavan New York, during NRF's Big Show week.

The event is expected to bring together more than 300 senior leaders for discussions spanning AI-powered planning, inventory visibility, supply chain resilience, automation, fulfillment and circular supply chains.

Planned programming at Supply Chain Sunday includes a fireside conversation on AI transformation in the supply chain with Sally Gilligan, Chief Supply Chain and Transformation Officer at Gap, alongside executive leadership from David Yurman and lululemon, among others. Additional speakers, programming and registration details will be announced ahead of the event.

Expanding Rethink Retail's executive communities

SCiR builds on Rethink Retail's experience developing practitioner-focused communities, including its Media in Retail (MiR) and AI in Retail (AiR) networks.

The new SCiR community reflects Rethink Retail's broader commitment to connecting senior leaders across the retail ecosystem and creating opportunities for meaningful exchange beyond traditional industry events.

Applications are now open for senior supply chain executives interested in joining the founding community, including leaders across transportation and logistics, warehousing and distribution, sourcing, and risk and security.

To learn more or apply, visit: https://rethink.industries/scir/

About Rethink Retail
Rethink Retail is a global community of retail thought leaders, executives and innovators dedicated to accelerating retail's future through collaboration and industry insights. Through its communities, events, research, and media platforms, Rethink Retail connects decision-makers across the retail ecosystem to explore the trends, technologies and strategies shaping the future of commerce.

SOURCE Rethink Retail