Marie is a frequent speaker, moderator, and panelist at major retail and fashion industry events.
On stage, Marie brings both authority and range: the perspective of a top-ranked equity analyst, the commercial understanding of an advisor, the discipline of an educator, and the presence of a seasoned moderator and public speaker. She is equally comfortable leading a fireside chat, moderating a panel, presenting original analysis, or framing the implications of change for industry audiences.
Meet Marie! Upcoming Events
As consumer behavior, technology, distribution, licensing, and creative processes continue to evolve, brands are rethinking how they expand into new markets, build relevance, and create new opportunities for growth.
Join Fashinnovation for a new DigiTALKS bringing together leaders across fashion, brand development, retail, and technology to explore what it takes to build and scale brands in today’s global landscape.
From international expansion and strategic partnerships to brand building, innovation, sustainability and emerging creative technologies, the conversation will bring together different perspectives on how brands can grow without losing what makes them distinctive.
Register Now
What We’ll Explore
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What it takes to build and scale a brand globally today
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Expanding into new markets while protecting brand identity
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New models for partnerships, licensing, distribution, and growth
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How technology is changing the way brands create, operate, and compete
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Balancing innovation with authenticity and long-term brand value
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How established companies and emerging players approach growth differently
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Sustainability and Business models
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Where the next opportunities for fashion and lifestyle brands are emerging
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What the next generation of global brands may look like
The Author Series: A Talk With New York Times Reporter David Gelles
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Join us for a webinar on September 9 at 12:00 PM ET, focused on David Gelles' bestseller, Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave it All Away
Publisher’s Weekly calls Dirtbag Billionaire “a riveting behind-the-scenes look at a businessman who marches to the beat of his own drum.” The brand’s backstory is fascinating, and Gelles had exceptional access to Chouinard, a truly visionary as well as idiosyncratic founder.
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The session will open with Patrick McKeever, Founder and Principal, DoR Consumer Research and RMS Board Member​, who will provide a macro view on the state of the consumer and the retail environment, setting the stage for the discussion to follow.
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Come prepared! Read Dirtbag Billionaire before the webinar. To purchase, here is a link to the publisher SimonandSchuster and here’s a link to Amazon.
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Thursday, September 10, 10am-9pm
New York
Digital Fashion Week NYC 2026 | AI, Fashion Technology & Future Retail
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4pm - The New Fashion Workforce
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How entrepreneurship, AI, and new ways of working are reshaping the teams and talent needed to build the future of fashion.
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Moderator: Marie Driscoll, President, Retail Marketing Society, Assistant Professor, Parsons, The New School
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Get Tickets Here!
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I will be speaking at Shoptalk Fall 2026 in an interactive Ask Me Anything session—bringing a candid, unfiltered perspective on the forces reshaping fashion, luxury, and retail. As the industry looks toward 2027, join me to explore how consumer expectations, AI-enabled commerce, evolving operating models, and brand relevance are changing the decisions retailers and consumer brands must make now. Come ready with questions—and leave with practical insight for what’s next
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Get Tickets Here!
Thursday, October 1 at Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee
Ask Me Anything Session: Part of Shoptalk Innovation Week
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In The News
Retail Expert Marie Driscoll on the ‘Sexy Math’ behind Reformation’s IPO
7m 7s
Retail Marketing Society's Marie Driscoll joins Ashley Mastronardi on NYSE Live to discuss the 'sexy math' behind the Reformations IPO today
At Events
January 2026
Retail Voices At NRF Recap
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The Retail Voices Class of 2026 brought together emerging and established retail leaders to share perspectives shaped by real industry experience. From meaningful conversations to inspiring presentations, the program celebrated the power of diverse voices and ideas that continue to shape the future of retail.
June 2026
CommerceNext Growth Show: Fireside Chat with Mickey Drexler & Simeon Siegel
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Retail industry leaders Mickey Drexler and Simeon Siegel shared insights on the future of retail, emphasizing that long-term success is driven by strong merchandising, creative leadership, and a deep understanding of the customer—not technology alone. The discussion highlighted the importance of focused assortments, disciplined brand strategy, value-driven pricing, and maintaining a distinct point of view in an increasingly competitive retail landscape.
Past Events
The Gen Z Playbook: Culture, Community, and Commerce
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Join us for a timely and insightful webinar on July 29 at 12:00 PM ET, focused on Gen Z.
Gen Z and Gen Alpha aren’t just the next consumers—they’re reshaping the rules of retail in real time. Join the Retail Marketing Society on July 29 at 12 PM ET for an inside look at how these emerging generations shop, what drives their decisions, and why culture, community, and values matter more than ever. Featuring insights from Olivia Meyer and James Turco of the Z Suite and Taylar Gomez, CEO & founder of Syft Inc., this webinar will decode the mindset behind the spend—and what it means for brands navigating the future of retail.
The session opened with Patrick McKeever, Founder and Principal, DoR Consumer Research and RMS Board Member, who provided a macro view on the state of the consumer and the retail environment, setting the stage for the discussion to follow.
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Athletech News ATN Innovation Summit
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Join us for a timely and insightful webinar on June 25 at 12:00 PM ET, focused on the evolving wellness landscape and its impact on retail.
Following the second ATN Innovation Summit in New York City, Edward Hertzman, Founder and CEO of Athletech News, joined RMS Board Member Faye Landes for a dynamic conversation on the biggest trends shaping wellness today—from performance-driven fitness to holistic health and the intersection with consumer retail.
The session opened with Patrick McKeever, Founder of DOR Research and RMS Board Member, who provided a macro view on the state of the consumer and the retail environment, setting the stage for the discussion to follow.
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PREVIOUS SPEAKING EVENTS
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2026
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May
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05/21 The Lead: three sessions, Wednesday with Chief merchant from Rent the Runway, Sarah Tam
Thursday with President of Veronica Beard, Stephanie Unwin and CEO Brooks Brothers, Ken Ohashi Strategies for Building Timeless Brands with Multigenerational Appeal And with President Silhouette, Hartmut Kraft Protect Market Leadership Through Constant Innovation
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January​
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01/27-29 Shoptalk LUXE, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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01/14-15 Luxury Outlook Summit, NYC
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2025
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December
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12/16 RMS Holiday Party. A fireside chat with Mickey Drexler, X-CEO Gap and JCrew, Founder Old Navy and Madewell and Chairman Alex Mill. National Retail Federation (NRF) Industry Partnership Council, Committee Member
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November
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11/13 NYC Odity, Created & Presented From Product to Experience From Transaction to Relationship Consumer Centricity
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11/12 Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM). Created & presented Staying Competitive. How Golf Retailers Can Thrive in the Age of DTC and Online Giants (Webinar)
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October
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10/28 PI Apparel’s Retail Rebels participated in/led numerous panels
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September​
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09/16 NYC Perfect Corp’s 2025 Global Beauty & Fashion AI Forum. Session From Catwalk to Cart: How Fashion Brands are Using Tech to Drive Sales.
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09/16 NYC Forvis Mazars NY Consumer & Retail Forum: The Future of the Beauty Industry. Presentation and fireside chat with Estee Lauder executive
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09/10 NYC, Sustainability Leaders Summit at Parsons. Created event and brought Sustainability Leaders from Kering, Ralph Lauren, the CFDA and Sustainability entrepreneurs.
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July
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08/17 RMS Roundtable Highlights of Easton Shopping Center
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08/09 Easton, OH RMS / JP Morgan Easton Shopping Center Tour
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June​
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07/23 NYC NextGen 2025: Retail, Real Estate & the New Consume
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07/02-04 Barcelona Shoptalk Europe Moderated Panel on Cross-Border Retail
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May
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05/28 Retail Marketing Society (RMS). May 9. Printemps NYC Lead store tour for RMS The Lead
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April
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04/?? Retail Marketing Society Shoptalk Spring Recap, Las Vegas Presentation on Masstige & Panel Moderator NYC. Moderated two sessions, including the opening session with Printemps NY CEO & COO
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March​
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03/25-27 Shoptalk Spring Las Vegas, Presentation on Masstige & Panel Moderator
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January
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01/22 Retail Marketing Society Webinar: Host & Participant. NRF & ICR Conference Highlights
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01/15 Luxury Outlook Summit, NYC, Panel Participant. Outlook 2025: Sectors Likely to Shine in 2025
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CFA Research Report Challenge. Advised the Baruch team that won the Regional Competition, advancing to the Semi-Finals, representing the local CFA Society New York
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