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.
Director, Center for Retail Transformation and Associate Professor, Information Systems and Operations Management
Additional Roles: Academic Director, Master's in Business AnalyticsMehmet Altug is an associate professor within the Information Systems and Operations Management Area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Associate Director, Center for Retail Transformation
Kiel Stone is the associate director of the Center for Retail Transformation within the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Instructional Assistant Professor, Marketing
Additional Roles: Associate Director, Center for Retail TransformationMariniki (Niki) Vlastara is an instructional assistant professor within the Marketing Area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
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.
CEO and Co-Founder, FINDMINE
Michelle is CEO and Co-Founder of FINDMINE, an award winning software platform that uses machine learning to scale product curation for the world's top retailers.
Partner Marketing, Microsoft
Ricardo Belmar helps retail organizations realize business value from technology investments by optimizing infrastructure from store systems to unified commerce and beyond to deliver omnichannel customer experiences and drive digital revenue.
CEO and Founder, Newmine
Navjit is a visionary expert in strategy, technology, operations, and change management. As a veteran entrepreneur and an active angel investor, he has worked in hands-on roles for several global retailers and consumer brands.
Senior VP, Rappaport
Steve is the Senior VP at Rappaport and provides direct oversight and management of the team responsible for leasing Rappaport’s portfolio of approximately 50 shopping centers located throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
CEO, Obase
Bulent Dal, PhD, is the CEO of Obase. Obase is a leading data analytics and software company specializing in Retail for over 25 years. As CEO, Bulent leads a dynamic team in revolutionizing retail through cutting-edge solutions, enhancing supply chain productivity, and fostering customer loyalty.
Senior Director, Marketing, UnderArmor
Christiana is an innovative and award-winning Retail Marketing Executive with 20+ years of high-impact marketing strategy, execution and leadership.
Co-Founder and CMO, LePrix
Emily is Co-Founder and CMO of LePrix, the leading wholesale resale platform. Emily leads marketing and branding efforts of the company. Emily has over 15 years of retail strategy experience.
Former VP of Strategy Transformation, Bed Bath and Beyond
Alex is the former VP of Strategy Transformation at Bed Bath and Beyond where he focused on transformation. Prior to joining BBY, he was the VP of Global Supply Chain at Target and before that Senior Director of Global Analytics Test and Learn Team at Walmart.
Leasing Manager – DCA and IAD Airports, MarketPlace Development
Hugo Gilbert led Cushman & Wakefield’s Washington, DC retail platform, providing brokerage services for some of the region’s most prominent retail opportunities and tenants throughout the Washington and Baltimore market.
Chief of Stores, Blains Farm & Fleet
Mark Hastings is Chief of Stores at Blains Farm & Fleet. His background includes a portfolio of experiences across several enterprise and field operational leadership roles.
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.
Instructional Professor, Marketing
Russell Abratt is an instructional professor within the Marketing Area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.-
Director, Center for Retail Transformation and Associate Professor, Information Systems and Operations Management
Additional Roles: Academic Director, Master's in Business AnalyticsMehmet Altug is an associate professor within the Information Systems and Operations Management Area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. 
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Program Director
Additional Roles: Associate Professor, Information Systems and Operations Management; Dean's ScholarIoannis Bellos is the MBA program director and an associate professor within the Information Systems and Operations Management Area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research
Additional Roles: Professor, Information Systems and Operations ManagementCheryl Druehl is the senior associate dean for faculty affairs and research and a professor within the information systems and operations management area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Area Chair, Marketing
Additional Roles: Associate Professor, Marketing; Dean's ScholarJessica Hoppner is the area chair and an associate professor within the marketing area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Assistant Professor, Marketing
Sharaya Jones is an assistant professor within the Marketing Area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Associate Professor, Marketing
Laurie A. Meamber is an associate professor within the Marketing Area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Professor, Information Systems and Operations Management
Nirup Menon is a professor within the Information Systems and Operations Management Area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Professor, Marketing and Dean's Distinguished Professor
Saurabh Mishra is a professor within the Marketing Area and a Dean's Distinguished Professor in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.
Assistant Professor, Information Systems and Operations Management
Jingyuan Yang is an assistant professor within the Information Systems and Operations Management Area in the Costello College of Business at George Mason University.