Omnichannel
LeadershipImmersion Program

Michelle M. Duguid is Associate Dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and an associate professor of management and organizations at the S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University. Professor Duguid’s primary area of research investigates the interplay of social status, power, politics, influence, and diversity in organizations, with a particular focus on the effect of social status, power, and inter- and intra-group relations on perceptions and interactions. She also performs research examining individual and group processes that affect creativity and the quality of decision making. Professor Duguid serves on the editorial board of Organization Science, the Academy of Management Journal, the Academy of Management Review, and Personnel Psychology. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Cornell University. 

Dan Hooker is a global retail and consumer packaged goods executive with broad experience across diverse business environments and formats, leading traditional food retail operations and merchandising, as well as product development, consumer and category analytics, sourcing and procurement, global trading, national sales, and ecommerce. An outstanding strategist and general manager, he has led the successful startup of multiple diverse businesses. Known for and recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on retailers’ proprietary brands, Mr. Hooker has shaped clients’ programs across four continents and eight classes of trade. His passion is in helping companies recognize their unique DNA and positioning then creating actionable marketing and sales strategies essential for their success.

Helen Chun is an associate professor of services marketing and a consumer psychologist who creates behavioral insights into managing and enhancing consumer experiences. She is particularly passionate about studying the role of emotions, customer experience design, branding, and prosocial and sustainable behaviors. Professor Chun’s ongoing work examines consumer experiences in the context of emerging media and digital technology. Her research papers have been published in leading marketing and services journals, such as Journal of Marketing, Journal of Consumer Psychology, Journal of Service Research, and Service Science.

Professor Chun teaches Consumer Behavior and Marketing Management for Services. She has been honored with the Nolan School of Hotel Administration’s Teacher of the Year Award multiple times as well as the Ted Teng ’79 Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award. Professor Chun is also a Merrill Presidential Scholar Outstanding Educator Honoree at Cornell University.

Professor Chun previously taught at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications and at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. She earned her Ph.D. in Business Administration (Marketing) from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

Kevin Holt is Chief Executive Officer of Ahold Delhaize USA, the largest grocery retail group on the East Coast of the U.S. with $51 billion in annual sales, and a member of the management board of Ahold Delhaize, one of the world’s largest international grocery retail groups. A 30-year veteran of the grocery retail industry, Holt is known for his ability to transform companies to compete in a digitally driven, omnichannel environment, leveraging brands’ unique strength, the power of a people-focused culture and a deep focus on putting the customer at the center of every decision.
Holt leads the companies of Ahold Delhaize USA as they pursue an omnichannel evolution to deliver a seamless, personalized customer experience both in-store and online. He drives and inspires teams to be one step ahead, anticipating customer wants and needs and making sure there is a clear and distinct focus on creating a personalized experiences that translate to a strong selling environment. Holt was instrumental in integrating the U.S. businesses following the merger of Ahold and Delhaize and successfully implemented Ahold Delhaize USA’s customer-centric model. As CEO, Holt guides each of Ahold Delhaize USA’s local brands as they focus on winning with customers locally and delivering leading market share. Each of the brands currently holds the number one or number two position in the markets they serve. A true associate engagement and culture champion, Holt fuels a culture where associates find purpose in their work each day. His passion continues to lie in leveraging what has worked to springboard the vision for what’s next.
Previous Experience:
Prior to his current role, Holt served as Chief Executive Officer of Ahold USA since 2016. In this role, he played a key role in the merger of Ahold and Delhaize, which has been recognized as one of the industry’s most successful M&A transactions to date as well as transformed the company by helping create stronger market-based strength for each brand.
Prior to that, Holt was Chief Executive Officer of Delhaize America, parent company of Food Lion and Hannaford, a position he began in 2014. In that capacity, he was instrumental in helping each of the consumer brands grow market share through organizational transformation, which brought decisions closer to the customer, focused on local products and merchandising and improved efficiencies through supply chain and technology advancements.
Earlier, Holt served in executive leadership positions for SuperValu and Meijer, leading these companies through successful M&A activity and brand repositioning and delivering technology and innovation to enhance consumer experience. Before entering grocery, Holt spent nearly a decade in the technology sector with NCR delivering solutions to large, complex organizations.
Education, Board and Professional Affiliations:
Holt holds a B.S. in Business Economics from Ferris State University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), an industry trade association. Additionally, he chairs FMI’s Industry Relations Committee and is the past chair of the Foundation, which is committed to collaborating within the food industry to address social concerns.

Julie Bowerman is the Chief Marketing Officer, Kellogg North America. She was previously Global Digital Customer and Consumer Experience Officer. In her current role, she has responsibility for Kellogg’s integrated marketing, including online ecommerce business. Ms. Bowerman has over 20 years of CPG experience in a variety of marketing, commercial and digital roles. Prior to Kellogg, she was the SVP of Global Ecommerce and Digital Engagement for Hain Celestial. She was GM of Hain’s ecommerce business which included accountability to the P&L, customer relationships, digital marketing and brand experience across their portfolio of 55+ brands.

Prior to Kellogg and Hain Celestial, Ms. Bowerman spent most of her career at Coca-Cola. Her most recent role at Coca-Cola was Global Vice President of Shopper Marketing and eCommerce where she was responsible for the strategy and execution of Coke’s global ecommerce business and shopper marketing capability. Prior to that role, she built Coca-Cola’s U.S. ecommerce business where she was accountable to develop Coke’s U.S. ecommerce vision and strategy as well as run and manage the P&L. She also led digital marketing for the Coke portfolio and started their Loyalty and CRM program known as My Coke Rewards. Ms. Bowerman serves on the Board of Directors of Brixmor Property Group Inc. She also serves on the non-profit board of 48in48 and serves on the advisory board of OTHRSource. She has her under-graduate degree from the University of Dayton, post-graduate degree from Michigan State University and an executive education from Harvard University.

Professor Vishal Gaur is Emerson Professor of Manufacturing Management, and professor of operations, technology and information management at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. His research interests lie in data-driven modeling, econometric analysis, and optimization of operations management problems with applications in supply chains, retailing, and e-Commerce. His current research projects deal with online marketplace operations, reduction of food waste, supply chain risk, and linking operations with financial performance of firms.

Prof. Gaur serves as the program director for Johnson’s MS in Business Analytics program and previously served as associate dean of MBA programs during 2014-2019. He also served as a department editor for the Operations Management department of Management Science during 2014-2021. He teaches graduate courses in operations management, digital business and retail operations, and data analysis in SQL and Tableau. He has received numerous awards for his research and teaching: the Cornell-Tsinghua Dual Degree MBA Gravitas Award in 2021; the Stephen Russell Distinguished Teaching Award in 2020; the Johnson Core Faculty Award by the graduating classes of 2015, 2012, and 2008; the Johnson Cornell Tech Core Faculty Award by the graduating class of 2017; the Wickham Skinner Early Career Research Accomplishments Award by the Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) in 2006; and honorable mention in the George B. Dantzig Dissertation Award Competition in 2001. Prof. Gaur received his PhD from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and his BTech in Computer Science and Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Before joining Johnson, he was an assistant professor at the NYU Stern School of Business during 2001-07 and a visiting associate professor at Harvard Business School during 2007-08.

Sarah Maloy is VP of Global Insights at PepsiCo. Her team develops and embeds leading-edge tools and capabilities aimed at elevating consumer centricity across the organization. Ms. Maloy has also worked in Consumer Insights within PepsiCo’s North American and Global beverage teams; prior to joining PepsiCo, she worked in Consumer Insights at Kraft Foods.

Clarence Lee was an assistant professor of marketing at the Johnson Graduate School of Management, where he was a Breazzano Family Sesquicentennial Fellow. Professor Lee’s research examines the drivers behind consumer adoption, usage, and purchase dynamics of digital goods, where he models consumer behavior using Bayesian statistics, structural econometrics, and machine learning techniques. Digital products and platforms, such as the ones produced by many Silicon Valley and NYC tech startups, are increasingly present in almost all consumer interactions. In such settings, understanding consumer choice and the dynamics of engagement and usage become critically important in order to acquire, serve, and retain consumers. Professor Lee taught Digital Marketing and Data Analytics & Modeling at both the Ithaca and Cornell Tech campuses.

Professor Lee received his doctorate from Harvard Business School and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT. Prior to pursuing graduate studies, he conducted nanotechnology research at IBM and space system design at MIT Lincoln Laboratory.

Driven by my personal purpose of being the lighthouse in the storm and having a passion for helping others to unlock their fullest potential, I find myself feeling at home in fast-paced, people-centric roles where innovation and differentiation matter.

Karan Girotra is a professor of operations, technology, and information management at Cornell Tech and Cornell University. He collaborates with companies building new business models in the areas of urban living, smart transportation, and e-commerce, helping them design rigorous, research-based solutions. Professor Girotra’s research team has been recognized by many awards, including the prestigious Wickham Skinner Early Career Research Award and multiple best paper awards. He has also won awards for his teaching on entrepreneurship and new business models, and was featured in the Poets & Quants Best 40 Under 40 business professors list. In addition to his academic work, Professor Girotra is one of the founders of TerraPass Inc., which the New York Times identified as one of the most noteworthy ideas of 2005. Since then, TerraPass has helped businesses and individuals reduce over 100 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Professor Girotra holds Ph.D. and A.M. degrees from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

Tomissa Smittendorf has a passion for creating a culture of learning, emphasizing capability building and collaborating across the organization to drive impact. She has more than 30 years of diverse experience, having worked in L&D, retail sales, supply chain, HR, sales finance, customer service, and DSD. Ms. Smittendorf leads the development of comprehensive learning strategies, tying learning to business solutions and consulting with the business to overcome business challenges. She has created a high-performance team to build sales capabilities, instilling agility to meet evolving business needs with a transformation drive and make-it-happen spirit.

At Kellogg Company, Ms. Smittendorf has developed a sales learning and development value proposition, enabling the organization’s sales vision by activating an intentional learner mindset. She designed, developed, and implemented a customer engagement platform, a three-year strategic collaboration for mutual sustainable growth with priority initiatives and customer engagement roadmaps. Ms. Smittendorf’s strong change management background has enabled her to craft stakeholder engagement plans to communicate and drive a culture of change.

Louis Hyman is the Neufeld Professor of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, where he teaches the history of retail.. An historian of work and business, Professor Hyman is currently working on a history of e-commerce entitled “Add To Cart.”

Dynamic Human Resources Executive at corporate and operational level with a strong expertise in Learning & Talent Management in matrix organizations. Consistent track record for leading organizational development and human resources initiatives across the Americas zone (North & South America). Licensed Executive Coach. Effectively collaborates on international projects. Fluent in English, French & Spanish. Dual citizen with working credentials in Europe & USA. Significant experience in designing and implementing innovative learning solutions and projects. Business leader partner to align talent strategies with business goals to optimize organizational effectiveness. Successfully communicate with business professionals of all levels, backgrounds, and nationalities to develop trusted partnerships. Expertise in multi-cultural relationships and project management crossing the boundaries of multiple cultures and countries.

Current function: Adviser of the Lisbon City Mayor (Ocean and Sustainability, Economy and Health), and vice president of the Portuguese Brands Community.
Till end of February 2022, President of Aeon Topvalu, a Japanese company belonging to Japan’s Aeon Group. Prior to this office he was Managing Director and Member of the Board of the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation and Executive Board Member of Oceanário de Lisboa (considered the best Aquarium in the World for the last three consecutive years). Since January 2019, he has been visiting Japan on a monthly basis, as Senior Advisor for the Aeon retail group. He was a supervisory board member at Warta, a Jerónimo Martins Group holding, which manages the Biedronka and Hebe retail chains, and is a founding member of the Portuguese Diaspora Council. He is regularly invited to speak on consumer trends and a frequent participant in advisory boards for multinational industrial companies.

He has a business management and organization degree from ISCTE , bem como o Executive Management Program da Universidade de Kellogg’s e outros cursos na area da formacao empresarial em Cornell, Babson e IMD. . As chairman of Daymon’s international area until September 2014, he was responsible for offices in 23 countries, having followed the development of Exclusive Brand programmes by major world retailers (Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe). Before joining the Board at Daymon, he was CEO of Recheio Cash & Carry, a one-billion-euro sales company, which is the Portuguese wholesale market leader. He was director of Parque Expo, a company which built a 300-hectare city to host the 1998 World Exposition in Lisbon. He started his career in the retail area in 1990, as management trainee at the Jerónimo Martins Group, and has since held several leadership positions in the Group, including CCO and CMO of Biedronka, the leading retail chain in Poland. He has published two books (“Discount Philosophy – More Than Price” and “The Next World”) with two colleagues from Daymon and he has two main hobbies: reading and sailing – he has Yachtmaster Ocean certification and has already made several ocean crossing.

A rarity in my field, I bring a unique perspective and valuable insights from working across brands, agencies, and consumer experience. In each situation, I influenced and enacted change that delivered transformative results. I took the time to truly understand the brand DNA and develop marketing solutions that engaged passionate consumers and created relevant, meaningful connections.

I am an early adopter. I fearlessly integrate new digital capabilities, such as voice and chat bots, while ensuring these new spaces are linked to a specific problem. By leveraging the data and insights to guide me, the value of these new capabilities is quickly proven.

Known for proving digital’s capability to drive business and impact sales, I tell compelling stories, build strategies, and secure buy-in from diverse stakeholders. Developing data-driven business cases allows me to connect with and engage consumers in target markets.

As a leader, I am transformative and inspirational. I dig in and listen before I make judgments or offer advice. Collaborating beyond the boundaries of function and organizational level delivers the right results. I re-envision how functions work together and architect strong organizational structures to ensure continued effective collaborations.

I always find a way to solve complex, critical issues and get the job done. I think through the process and facilitate innovation, inclusion, consensus building, and engagement for optimal resolution.

Outside of work, I enjoy food, design, photography – setting a beautiful stage for any and every occasion.

Alexander Ross is an experienced senior leader in business development and strategy, with a demonstrated history of building teams and driving account and revenue growth.

With more than 15 years of supply chain and operation experience, Charles Liu currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Away, Inc,, leading all aspects of the end-to-end operation and supply chain functions, including global sourcing, manufacturing, product development, quality control, logistics, and transportation, along with information technology and company ERP implementation.

Prior to joining Away, Mr. Liu had operational leadership roles with organizations including COO for Casper, Vice President of Supply Chain for Walmart eCommerce, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Shopko, and various leadership roles with Walgreens and Ahold Delhaize.

Beyond his current role at Away, Mr. Liu serves as senior advisor to the board of directors for PetLove, a Brazilian online retailer of pet food and other pet-related products, and advisory board member for Nulogy, Inc,, a Canadian supply chain software company that helps CPG brands and their external suppliers deliver customized, traceable, and safer products to consumers with greater speed, value, and less waste.

Mr. Liu received his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Wuhan University in China and an MBA and Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Donald J. Germano currently serves as Executive Vice President of Stores for Dick’s Sporting Goods, a position he has held since June 2019. In this role, he is responsible for managing the company’s store leadership, environment, and operations. Mr. Germano is also a member of the board of directors for Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation. Prior to his EVP role, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations, a position he held since rejoining Dick’s Sporting Goods in May 2017.

Mr. Germano was president of Follett Higher Education Group, Inc., from 2013 to 2016. Before Follett, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations at Dick’s Sporting Goods from 2010 to 2013. Throughout his career, Mr. Germano has held leadership positions at notable companies including Sears Holdings, Kmart Corporation, UPS, and Nabisco. He also served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Mr. Germano earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

As Senior Director of Omnichannel Transformation for Walmart, Whitney is responsible for incubating next-gen revenue streams and building out new enterprise business planning models for Walmart Connect. Positioned at the intersection of Merchandising, Marketing, eCommerce and Walmart Connect- her team is focused on next gen enterprise business strategy, In-store and OOH (out of home) advertising commercialization, and operationalizing Walmart’s ‘One Walmart’ integrated planning model both internally and externally with Walmart’s suppliers and sellers.
Before joining Walmart, Whitney worked for The Kellogg Company in various roles across Sales, eCommerce and Shopper Marketing including her most recent as omnichannel eCommerce lead for North America where she led Kellogg’s eCommerce business across all Omnichannel retailers. Prior to making the jump to CPG, Whitney spent over a decade on the agency side building programming to support the entire offline + online path to purchase in various strategy and account leadership roles.