Center for Retail Transformation Team

Navigating the Transformation of Retail, Together

The Center for Retail Transformation team aims to be the foremost academic institution driving transformation in retail.

The Center's leadership, advisory council, and affiliate faculty are working together to develop educational programs for current and future retailers, to generate impactful research addressing critical issues in retail, and to foster partnerships and collaborations with the retail industry, trade associations, and other governmental actors.  

Leadership and Staff

Center leadership, consisting of the Center director and associate director, are responsible for the management of the Center. Working with the advisory council and affiliate faculty, the Center’s leadership guides the education, research, and industry outreach activities of the Center to achieve our vision of addressing emerging challenges caused by the transformation of retail. 

Advisory Council

The Center for Retail Transformation Advisory Council, consisting of senior leadership from traditional and new retailers, retail solution providers, and industry experts, was established to support the Center’s mission and activities designed to help businesses navigate the transformation of retail.  

  • George Mason University School of Business partner ShiSh Shridhar 

    WW Lead for Retail Startups, Microsoft  

    ShiSh is the Worldwide Lead for Retail with Microsoft for Startups. ShiSh has over 15 years of experience working with the top retailers around the world to help solve business challenges using AI, Machine Learning and Emerging technologies.
  • Seasoned Apparel Industry Specialist

    Peter Warner is a seasoned apparel industry specialist with significant experience in senior management supply chain operations ranging across companies such as Nike, Foot Locker, Gap, Liz Clairborne, and The Children’s Place.
  • George Mason University School of Business Partner Deborah Weinswig

    CEO and Founder, Coresight Research  

    Deborah is CEO and Founder of Coresight Research, a research and advisory firm specializing in disruptive technologies reshaping today’s retail landscape.
  • Tadd Hastings,  Vice President of Business Development, ShopRunner

    Chief Commercial Officer, SmarterX

    Tadd Wilson is Chief Commercial Officer at SmarterX.
  • Ryan Wolfe

    Co-Founder, Shopfulfill

    Ryan Wolfe brings over 25 year leadership in the consumer space with a background spanning brand, product, channel, digital, and international strategy.
  • George Mason University School of Business Partner Michael Zakkour

    Founder & CEO of 5 New Digital

    Michael Zakkour is the Founder & CEO of 5 New Digital, a digital commerce, retail and consumer journey consultancy and ecosystem, and China BrightStar, a China/APAC digital, consumer and market strategy firm.

Affiliate Faculty

The affiliate faculty, consisting of faculty with expertise across the many domains of retail, assist the Center in achieving its goals of providing transformational educational opportunities and producing cutting-edge research.