Starbucks' CEO Shares How to Nurture Humanity in Modern-Day Retail

Starbucks president and CEO Kevin Johnson is set to discuss nurturing humanity in a modern retail environment at NRF 2020 Vision: Retail’s Big Show in New York City in January.

“Kevin Johnson is a leader of our industry whose expertise and vision range from the fundamentals of selling a good cup of coffee to the cutting edge of the technology driving today’s retail revolution,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “He understands the importance of the personal touch with retail customers, and no matter how much technology evolves, remaining a force for good in the global communities retailers serve. We look forward to learning from his insights.”

Johnson will be the opening main stage speaker on January 13, the second day of the three-day conference. He will discuss the role of shared experiences and community in the modern-day retail environment, and the recognition that the pursuit of profit is not in conflict with the pursuit of doing good.

Johnson became a member of the Starbucks Board of Directors in 2009 while CEO of Juniper Networks. He was named president and chief operating officer at Starbucks in 2015, leading the company’s operating businesses around the world as well as core support functions in supply chain, marketing, human resources, technology and mobile and digital platforms. He became president and CEO in 2017 as the company’s longtime leader Howard Schultz transitioned into the role of executive chairman.

Johnson’s career spans more than 30 years, including 16 years at Microsoft and five at Juniper Networks. In 2008, he was appointed to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, serving under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He is a founding board member of NPower, an organization that provides nonprofits with technology and skills to fulfill social missions, and is involved with Catalyst, a nonprofit focused on expanding opportunities for women in business.