Retail Design Institute Chicago | Great Lakes Chapter Announces Chapter Officers for 2024-2026 Term
- Retail Design Institute
- Oct 31, 2024
- 2 min read
The Retail Design Institute’s Chicago | Great Lakes Chapter is excited to announce the election of its new Chapter Officers for the term beginning November 1, 2024, and concluding on October 31, 2026.
This team of talented professionals will drive the Chapter’s mission to foster creativity, collaboration, and community engagement within the region’s retail design industry.
Anthony Pastore, RDI, Senior Design, Global Creative at The Wendy's Company, has been elected Chapter President. Previously serving as Vice President, Anthony has been instrumental in elevating member engagement and strengthening community ties. In his candidate statement, he expressed his commitment to the Chapter’s future:
“As Vice President, I focused on fostering collaboration and networking within our industry. I’m honored to continue this work as President, championing our shared vision of innovation and excellence in retail design.”
The Chapter welcomes additional leaders to the board:
- Vice President: Blake Ross, RDI, Sr. Manager, Visual Merchandising and Marketing at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. Blake, a member since 2022, brings fresh energy and insights to his new role as Vice President.
- Secretary: Jennifer Acevedo, Allied RDI, Vice President, Marketing + Brand Strategy at NELSON Worldwide, who has been re-elected as Secretary. A member since 2017, Jennifer’s expertise in marketing and brand strategy will continue to support the Chapter’s communications and initiatives.
- Treasurer: Amanda Smith, RDI, who has graciously agreed to continue in her role as Treasurer. A dedicated member since 2018, Amanda’s commitment and financial guidance have been invaluable to the Chapter’s ongoing success.
The Chicago | Great Lakes Chapter is poised for an impactful term ahead, with new initiatives that will promote professional growth, knowledge sharing, and industry connections for its members across the region.
About the Retail Design Institute
The Retail Design Institute is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the retail design industry, fostering professional development, and celebrating design excellence. The Chicago | Great Lakes Chapter serves members across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and surrounding areas, providing valuable resources and a platform for collaboration.
It’s inspiring to see leadership shaping the future of retail design, especially when it connects with hospitality trends. I recently used some fresh hotel marketing strategies from Thunder Marketing Solutions, and it really helped me elevate the guest experience while boosting bookings. Focusing on aesthetics and digital presence at the same time proved to be a smart move. Events like these highlight how design and marketing work hand in hand, and investing in both is what pushes a hotel’s success to the next level.
It's exciting to see new leadership shaping the future of the retail design industry! As businesses continue to adapt to modern challenges, innovative trends and creative approaches, such as integrating biophilic designs with plants like the swiss cheese plant, will play an important role in creating welcoming spaces. The swiss cheese plant, with its unique perforated leaves, could easily become a symbol of retail spaces that blend nature with commerce. I’ve been reading more about plant care, and if you're also looking to add some greenery to your space, it’s worth checking out resources on growing and caring for plants like the swiss cheese plant.
Great to see strong leadership shaping the future of retail design — the new officers bring a mix of vision and practical experience that this industry truly needs. Design plays such a critical role not only in physical spaces but in how brands connect emotionally with customers. I’ve seen this firsthand in restaurant digital marketing, where design consistency between the online experience and the in-person atmosphere can dramatically boost engagement and trust. When digital presence reflects the same intentionality as interior layout or signage, it stops being just marketing — it becomes part of the brand’s identity and conversion engine. Excited to see what this new term brings!