The people behind the conversations
SYL
Portrait forthcoming
Host
Sharon Yourell Lawlor
Retail & Shopper Marketing Strategist · NRF Top 50 Retail Voice 2026
Managing Director, Think Plan Do Consulting
Sharon Yourell Lawlor is an award-winning retail and shopper marketing strategist and Managing Director of Think Plan Do Consulting. In 2026, she was honoured as one of the National Retail Federation’s Top 50 Retail Voices. She has been a RETHINK Retail Top Global Influencer since 2023 and was named among the Retail Technology Information Hub’s Top 100 Retail Tech Influencers in 2025. With almost 30 years of experience spanning retail, consumer goods, and shopper marketing, Sharon brings deep expertise in category growth, retail innovation, and customer engagement. Her LinkedIn Learning course on Retail Marketing Strategy has been completed by over 20,000 professionals worldwide. She publishes a bi-weekly newsletter, What’s In Store, spotlighting best-in-class retail experiences and emerging trends.
Speaking and media
NRF Top 50 Retail Voice 2026 · RETHINK Retail Top Global Influencer · Retail Technology Information Hub Top 100 Retail Tech Influencer 2025
Host
Renee Hartmann
Retail Strategist · Author · Non-Executive Director · RETHINK Retail Top 100 Expert
Managing Director, CLA Solutions
Renee Hartmann is a globally recognised retail strategist and thought leader with nearly 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, consultant, and board member across Asia, North America, and Europe. Known for translating emerging technologies into practical business strategies, she focuses on how AI, retail media, and in-store innovation drive measurable impact and transform the customer experience. She serves as Non-Executive Director of Irish retailer Kilkenny Design and holds advisory positions across retail technology companies. She co-authored Next Generation Retail: How to Use Technology to Innovate for the Future, co-hosts the Commerce Beyond Borders podcast, and is a sought-after speaker at NRF, Shoptalk Europe, VivaTech and DMEXCO. She holds an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and is a CFA charterholder.
Speaking and media
NRF · VivaTech · DMEXCO · eCommerce Expo · Author of Next Generation Retail · RETHINK Retail Top 100 Expert
Speaking engagements
Book Sharon and Renee.
Sharon and Renee are available for keynotes, panels, and moderated sessions on retail technology, retail media, shopper experience, and in-store innovation.