Speakers

• 
  Keynote
  Matthew Luhn
  Disney Pixar Veteran


Keynote
Keynote Speaker
Matthew Luhn
Disney Pixar Veteran
What if the son of a third-generation toy store owner went on to become a creative force behind the Toy Story trilogy of movies? Or, as a talented 19-year-old animator, was lured into leaving art school to work on The Simpsons? And then was pitched by Steve Jobs to join a startup called Pixar? If this is a story that you want to hear, it’s because one of Matthew Luhn’s top storytelling tips has succeeded: Capture your audience in eight seconds or less. Luhn’s own inspiring life story—and how he tells it—is an integral part of his highly engaging talks and workshops.

It begins when he was three years old, scribbling a rough child’s drawing that convinced his father that Matthew was the heir to his dad’s unfulfilled dream of becoming a Disney animator. That moment spurred Matthew’s destiny: A childhood spent drawing with his dad and going to the movies. Being accepted into the prestigious CalArts animation program founded by Walt Disney. Having a student film catch the attention of The Simpsons. And then, getting a call from a startup called Pixar Animation Studios, where he was pitched by Steve Jobs himself to work on an animated film that, remarkably, didn’t include princesses or show tunes. Thus began Matthew Luhn’s dazzling stint at Disney/Pixar, working on a steady stream of blockbusters: Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, Up, and Ratatouille. His career progressed from animating Toy Story’s “Bucket o’ Soldiers” (a challenge because their feet were attached to bases), to becoming a player in Pixar’s highly creative and collaborative story development process, to eventually, leading it.

Two decades later, he found himself being sought after once again—this time, by businesses that needed help telling their own brand story and developing their teams’ storytelling skills. Matthew literally wrote the book on the subject, The Best Story Wins: How to Leverage Hollywood Storytelling in Business and Beyond, and began his highly successful second act as a storytelling consultant to businesses. He still remains active in the world of film, recently writing and directing the multi-award-winning animated short, Sprite Fright.
• 
  Keynote
  Nikolas Badminton
  Global Futurist


Keynote
Nikolas Badminton
Global Futurist
Nikolas Badminton is a world-renowned global futurist speaker and Chief Futurist that mentors top executives to create bold visions by exploring desirable futures, anticipating opportunities and risks, and strengthening strategic planning.

He has spent 30+ years working with leadership at over 400 leading organizations at the frontline of futures, strategy and disruption - including NASA, Disney, Google, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, WM, JP Morgan, Verizon, VISA, TD Bank, American Express, Dyson, BISCI, ISACA, Rolls Royce, Procter & Gamble, UK Home Office, and many more.

Facing Our Futures: How foresight, futures design and strategy creates prosperity and growth - is Nikolas’ number one best selling book and has been named Top-50 Business Books of 2023 by The Next Big Idea Club, and JP Morgan Private bank’s “Next Gen Pick” for their 2023 Summer Reading List to guide new leaders to embrace futures thinking.

Nikolas’ essential research has been featured by the BBC, VICE, The Atlantic, Fast Company, Business Insider, Forbes, Sunday Telegraph and many others. He appears on SIRIUSXM and CTV regularly, was a key advisor to the ‘Age of AI’ series with Robert Downey Jr, and appears in the Franklin Institute's series ‘2050’.

• 
  Stacy Anderson
  Global President
  Anytime Fitness


Stacy Anderson
Global President
Anytime Fitness
With over 25 years of global marketing, branding and strategy experience, Stacy Anderson joined Self Esteem Brands as chief marketing officer in September 2012. In that role, Stacy oversaw all marketing functions for Anytime Fitness and Waxing the City brands and quickly earned a reputation for moving big projects forward.

In 2016, Stacy was appointed brand president of Anytime Fitness and is responsible for steering the world’s largest and fastest-growing fitness franchise, serving 5-million members at gyms located in all 50 states and 42 countries on all seven continents.

Her number one priority in her role is leading the evolution of Anytime Fitness from its pioneering 24/7 convenience model to a more personalized coaching approach, featuring new digital technologies and a broader selection of training programs and holistic health offerings.

Stacy, whose previous retail experience includes executive marketing positions with Best Buy and Geek Squad, is one of relatively few women in high-level leadership roles in the franchising industry.
• 
  Mike Grahl
  Chief Marketing Officer
  Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx


Mike Grahl
Chief Marketing Officer
Minnesota Timberwolves/Lynx
Mike Grahl enters his seventh season as chief marketing officer for the Timberwolves and Lynx. Mike oversees brand marketing, advertising, creative, content, digital innovation, retail, video production and live programming, and entertainment.

Since joining the organization in 2018, Mike has led dynamic and innovative campaigns resulting in increased brand loyalty, a growing and more diverse fanbase, and a strong e-commerce and Team Store presence. Mike was instrumental in signing retail partner, Fanatics, recognizing new ways to reach fans through a more expansive platform and brick and mortar presence in Target Center, resulting in 412% YOY growth. Mike was behind the wildly successful contract extension campaigns for Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid, taking over Las Vegas (NBA Summer League 2023) and Minnesota.

Mike was responsible for the popular Timberwolves 2023 City Edition campaign, embracing lake life and a jersey unveil at Lord Fletcher’s on Lake Minnetonka complete with season-long fan experience elements like the Naz Reid beach towel all-fan giveaway. In celebrating 35 years of Timberwolves basketball last season, Mike was behind the popular “89 to Infinity” campaign centered around Old School Cool that featured the return of the original 1989 Classic Edition uniform, unique retail collections, multichannel content and a custom “Classic” court in Target Center. The success and popularity of Mike’s campaigns earned him a Twin Cities Business 2024 Notable CMO honor.

Mike’s digital and social teams have been transformed and publicly recognized. He has orchestrated significant updates to the teams’ apps, websites and original content with a focus on user experience, venue commerce, lead and demand generation and marketing automation.
• 
  David Sturrus
  Chief Client Officer
  Banfield Pet Hospital


David Sturrus
Chief Client Officer
Banfield Pet Hospital
David is always putting clients – and their pets – first. As Banfield's first chief client officer, he blends more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, retail, and consumer brand marketing with his own experience as a Banfield client to support the hospital teams and ensure that Banfield clients are cared for at every step.

With empathic leadership and data-driven insights, David and his team are focused on how Banfield meets the needs of their diverse client base while prioritizing personal relationships and quality service.
• 
  Gary Trettel
  Chief Financial Officer
  Ziegler Companies


Gary Trettel
Chief Financial Officer
Ziegler Companies
Gary Trettel is the chief financial officer of Ziegler Companies, where he oversees the financial strategy and operations across all divisions of a diversified organization that’s committed to supporting customers with industry-leading equipment, services and expertise. Since 2015, Gary has played a central role in driving Ziegler’s financial health and long-term growth.

Before joining Ziegler, Gary served as president and CEO of Cat Auction Services, where he led strategic initiatives and business expansion from 2014 to 2015. He also held the roles of CFO and general manager at the same company from 2010 to 2014, guiding both financial operations and overall business performance during a time of significant growth.

Based in the Greater Minneapolis–St. Paul area, Gary has over 15 years of executive leadership experience. His expertise spans finance, operations and strategic planning, with a focus on creating long-term value and driving customer success through innovation and operational excellence.
• 
  Whit Alexander
  EVP & Chief Customer Officer
  Tailored Brands


Whit Alexander
EVP & Chief Customer Officer
Tailored Brands
Whit Alexander is Tailored Brands’ EVP and chief customer officer. Tailored Brands is the leader in men’s fashion in the US and Canada, with over 1,000 stores across the Men’s Wearhouse, Jos. A Bank, K&G Superstores, and Moore’s banners. In this role, Whit leads the company’s marketing, strategy and analytics functions.

Prior to joining Tailored Brands this year, Whit was most recently a partner at McKinsey & Company, serving consumer companies on growth transformation topics. He was previously with Best Buy, where he held roles including chief marketing officer, chief transformation officer and chief strategy officer. His path has also included various leadership roles within Target and McKinsey.
• 
  Anne Klein
  SVP & General Manager
  Synchrony


Anne Klein
SVP & General Manager
Synchrony
Anne Klein is senior vice president and general manager at Synchrony, a premier consumer financial services company that delivers innovative financing solutions to both partners and consumers. Since joining Synchrony in 2016, Anne has successfully launched and led multiple portfolio teams with a strong emphasis on creating innovative, omnichannel experiences. She also actively mentors and advocates for advancement of women as a member of Synchrony’s Global Women’s Network leadership team.

Prior to Synchrony, Anne built a distinguished career in loyalty and digital payments, where she held leadership roles that drove strategic development, design, and management of client acquisition and loyalty programs. Her work has driven customer engagement, increased purchase frequency and built long-term brand loyalty. She has collaborated with a range of renowned client partners, including Venmo, Disney, Target, Gap, Walmart, JCPenney, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot, among many other Fortune 500 companies. Anne is a recognized thought leader and has been a featured speaker at industry conferences like the National Retail Federation’s Big Show and Money 2020.
• 
  Amy Sgrignoli
  VP, Connected Vehicle Business
  Subaru


Amy Sgrignoli
VP, Connected Vehicle Business
Subaru
Amy Sgrignoli is the vice president of connected vehicle for Subaru of America, overseeing strategy, development, evaluation and operations for the connected car experience. Her team strives to provide an exceptional customer experience that keeps customers connected to their cars, their retailers and the brand throughout their ownership lifecycle. She previously served as director of connected business, director of retail operations and training—supporting over 630 retailers—and director of information technology, where she led customer experience systems, CRM and corporate analytics. Before Subaru, she spent 10 years at General Motors Acceptance Corporation managing marketing for its residential lending business.

Amy holds a bachelor’s from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and serves on the board of Stratford Friends School, which supports children with learning differences. A passionate advocate for educational rights, she has helped families secure equitable learning environments.
• 
  Justin Tidmarsh
  VP, Integrated Marketing
  Lands' End


Justin Tidmarsh
VP, Integrated Marketing
Lands' End
Justin Tidmarsh is a visionary marketing leader dedicated to transforming brands through innovation, data-driven insights, and exceptional customer experiences. As vice president of integrated marketing at Lands’ End, he drives a customer-first strategy, integrating digital, direct mail, and retail/wholesale channels to create deeper engagement and lasting brand loyalty.

Throughout his career, Justin has shaped customer growth and marketing strategies at some of the world’s most beloved brands, including Nike, Best Buy, Target, Starbucks, and others. His expertise spans omnichannel marketing, customer insights, and loyalty programs, delivering high-impact initiatives that drive engagement and revenue. Justin believes brand success goes beyond transactions—it’s about forging meaningful connections. By blending creativity, technology, and data, he fuels customer passion and drives sustainable business growth that endures.
• 
  Sarah Pitts
  Director, Global Consumer Engagement
  Aveda


Sarah Pitts
Director, Global Consumer Engagement
Aveda
Sarah Pitts is an accomplished marketer with 20+ years’ experience marketing brands for Fortune 500 enterprises such as Whirlpool, Best Buy and Estee Lauder, as well as privately owned brands such as Red Wing Shoes and Lifetime. Currently the director of consumer engagement at Estee Lauder working on the Aveda brand, Sarah specializes in understanding the fluid nature of consumer behavior to deliver data-driven innovation and global marketing campaigns for the haircare segment that engage consumers and drive loyalty in the retail and salon environments.
• 
  Daniel Ryback
  Sr. Global Innovation Lead, Customer Experience
  McDonald's


Daniel Ryback
Sr. Global Innovation Lead, Customer Experience
McDonald's
Daniel Ryback serves as the senior global CX innovation lead at McDonald's, tackling the company’s largest customer and crew problems and opportunities. With over 20 years of experience spanning brands and agencies, Daniel specializes in creating and scaling human-centered solutions that drive meaningful business impact. He leverages his expertise in emerging technologies, including AI, to explore innovative approaches to consumer engagement and problem-solving.
• 
  Nick Karvounis
  Sr. Marketing Manager, CRM Innovation & Automation
  Intuit TurboTax


Nick Karvounis
Sr. Marketing Manager, CRM Innovation & Automation
Intuit TurboTax
With over 15 years of digital marketing expertise spanning diverse sectors such as hospitality, tourism, entertainment and now Fintech, Nick Karvounis has developed innovative programs designed to enhance engagement, growth and revenue. Notably, during his time at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, he managed digital strategies for web and email platforms in alignment with the renowned “What Happens Here, Stays Here” campaign. At Station Casinos & Resorts, he led the interactive marketing team to deploy a comprehensive lifecycle-engagement strategy for patrons across twelve hotel properties and numerous music venues.

Nick currently leads the Innovation team at TurboTax, focusing on the convergence of technology, data and creative elements across all CRM programs. His current position includes the transformation of the marketing workflow to expedite team operations while prioritizing the delivery of customized and targeted customer experiences
• 
  Meredith Ginther
  Sr. Manager, Analytics
  Lands' End


Meredith Ginther
Sr. Manager, Analytics
Lands' End
Meredith Ginther has worked in the retail industry for over 12 years, gaining experience in product and digital merchandising, marketing, and data analytics. As a senior manager of analytics with Lands’ End, she is passionate about improving the customer journey and personalizing their experience