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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Emerson University Executive Education Series is designed to prepare top executives from retail and consumer products companies to anticipate and shape their industry’s future.
Beyond its reputation as a premier leadership development for the Emerson Group’s brand and retail partners, the program also aligns with company founder Scott Emerson’s vision for investing in the future of the industry.
"Scott is always thinking about how we can give back to the industry and make it better," said Karen Shadders, vice president of long-term strategy and development at the Emerson Group.
The series' origins can be traced back to a discussion following Emerson Group's Industry Day in 2019, recalls Troy Beeler, the co-founder and general manager of the Future Commerce Initiative (FCI). His colleague Dan O’Connor, an executive in residence with the Harvard Business School’s Managing the Future of Work project, had just given a presentation at Emerson Group’s Industry Day event. The presentation was supposed to run about 45 minutes but ran long.
“So he got off stage, and we were talking to Scott in the hallway, and we were kind of joking, like, ‘Hey, this is a two-day program. You can't put us in a 45 minute slot.’ And Scott said, ‘Fine, do two days.’”
That conversation led to the first Future of Commerce Program, held on Harvard’s campus in November 2019, and the rest is history.
Today, the Executive Education Series offers multiple sessions per year, including the Advanced Leadership Program, Future of Commerce Executive Leaders, and Future Leaders Programs. The programs have attracted over 450 alumni, many of whom have returned for additional sessions. The content, crafted with the help of Harvard Business School faculty, evolves with each iteration, ensuring participants are prepared for the future of retail.
Next year’s Advanced Leadership Program, set for January 28–29, 2025, is the most exclusive offering in the series, designed for senior executives who are looking to develop skills like resilience, empathy, and psychological safety within their organizations. Led by experts from the Harvard Business School and other expert industry practitioners, this program emphasizes leadership principles that are essential for navigating the complexities of the modern retail landscape. Participants will also engage in case studies and hear from industry leaders, preparing them to drive change and foster a culture of innovation in their companies.
Later in the year, the Future of Commerce Executive Leaders Program will take place in both June and October. This program explores the forces shaping the future of retail, such as automation, data-driven strategies, and evolving supply chain models. By analyzing companies like Amazon and Temu, participants gain insights into the competitive dynamics of the next retail frontier.
One of the unique aspects of the Executive Education Series is its intimate setting. With only 65 participants per session, attendees are encouraged to "take off the company hat" and focus on their personal development and their team’s growth. According to Beeler, this environment allows executives to think beyond day-to-day tactics and focus on long-term strategy. As Dan O’Connor, Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School, regularly quotes; "Retail is 99% tactics, 1% strategy," Beeler said. "This is your 1%—your time to lift your head up, think about the future, and consider what that means for yourself, your team, and your organization."
Scott Emerson’s commitment to investing in the industry extends beyond just a single event. Once participants attend a program, they are invited to return for future sessions, fostering a continuous learning environment. "We’ve been very intentional about creating a space where retailers and brands can come together to learn and grow," Shadders noted. "This is not just a conference; it’s an immersive experience that prepares leaders to navigate the future."
With a growing list of alumni and a track record of success, the Emerson Group’s Executive Education Series plays a vital role in shaping the future of retail leadership, staying true to Scott Emerson’s vision of giving back to the industry that has so powerfully shaped his career.
To learn more about next year’s programs, please contact Shadders (karen.shadders@emersongroup.com) or Beeler (troy@the-fci.com).
