NRF Foundation Student Program connects future retail leaders with industry mentors at NRF 2025

The NRF Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the National Retail Federation, recently hosted its Student Program as part of NRF 2025. The initiative brought together over 1,500 college students from around the world to connect with seasoned professionals, gain industry insights, and prepare for careers in the retail sector.

Brian Librach, Vice President of Stores - West at Party City, was among 100 professionals selected to mentor students during the event. Reflecting on the experience in a LinkedIn post, Librach described the opportunity as both inspiring and rewarding. “Yesterday was pure joy. I had the incredible privilege of working with college students eager to build careers in retail,” he said.

Connecting education with industry leaders

The NRF Foundation’s Student Program is designed to provide students with direct access to industry leaders, offering a unique opportunity to learn about the skills, trends, and strategies shaping the retail sector. Librach emphasized the significance of the event, noting how the experience pushed him to reflect on his own journey. “The leaders I worked alongside yesterday were inspiring. Their knowledge, passion, and genuine desire to invest in the next generation pushed me to reflect and strive to be better in my own journey,” he shared.

Through interactive sessions, students gained insights into the dynamic retail landscape and were encouraged to engage with mentors, ask questions, and explore career paths in the industry.

Librach’s mentorship session underscored the importance of investing in future talent. “To those students I had the luxury of speaking with yesterday, I hope I was helpful in some way. Please stay connected—our time together doesn’t have to end here,” he wrote, inviting students to continue seeking guidance as they navigate their careers.

NRF 2025

The mentorship event marked the start of NRF 2025, one of the retail industry’s most prominent conferences, held at the Javits Center in New York City. Librach highlighted his plans to participate in other conference activities, including a book signing for his publication, The Retail Leaders Roadmap, at the Yoobic booth.

He described NRF 2025 as a vibrant platform for networking and learning: “It was the perfect start to the marathon that is NRF 2025. Today, it’s all about hitting the Javits Center, walking the halls, and soaking in the energy of this incredible event.”