By: Gloria Smith, Associate Editor for World Liberty TV
The Retail Orphan Initiative (ROI) Super Saturday Event for 2026 was held on.
Retail Orphan Initiative 26
Saturday, January 10, 2026, in New York City. The event, a “Tech and Tears” gathering, combined discussions on retail technology trends with a charitable focus on supporting vulnerable children worldwide.
Dr Adal with Greg Buzek President ROI
The event was hosted at Microsoft’s Times Square office in NYC, located at 11 Times Square (corner of 42nd Street and 8th Avenue).
L-R Dave Finnegan with Vicki & Michael Cantrell
The event is the flagship fundraising and networking opportunity for the Retail Orphan Initiative, a retailer-led charity that uses funds from vendor sponsorships to support “feet on the street” charities helping children globally.
One of many panels in progress
Registration for retailers was free. The event typically attracts a wide array of retail executives and industry thinkers.
The 2026 Super Saturday event included expert insights into retail IT trends, such as the use of artificial intelligence in retail, and personal stories highlighting the impact of the charity’s work.
ROI Charity partners introduction
Retail Insights: Discussions focused on how AI can be leveraged in the retail industry to enhance customer experiences, such as saving time and making it easier to find products.
Proceeds from sponsorships support initiatives like education, clean water programs, anti-trafficking efforts, and adoption assistance for hundreds of thousands of children globally.
R-L Dr Adal with Sharon M. Leite CEO Vitamin Shoppe
Celebrating 17th year, RetailROI once again bought together retail’s most prominent thinkers for Revealing discussions.
ROI 26 World Wide Trip Schedule
Some of the speakers included: Ricardo Belmar, Retail Razor, Keith Mercier, VP Global, and Retail & Consumer Goods Industries, Andy Laudato, COO, from The Vitamin Shoppes, Jeff Strasser, Americas AI Business Solutions Leader, Microsoft, Inspiration Keynote by Genesis Miranda Longo – Head of Industry Marketing, Shopify, Dan Grady – RetailROI South Africa Rep, Randy Cucerzan, Vice President, RetailROI.
2026 ROI Bobblehead Award winners
The New Blueprint for How AI Native Leaders Build Differently, Panel with included: Vanessa Yan, Founder and CEO, Ise AI (AI-Native Fashion Brand), Wesley Ter Haar, Chief AI and Revenue Officer, Monks which was moderated by legendary, Dave Finnegan, Operating Partner, BlackFinn Partners.
R-L Dave Finnegan Moderating panel at ROI
Other Speakers included: Melissa Minkow, Global Director of Retail Strategy, CI&T, who spoke about The State of the Consumer in 2026.
There were many roundtable discussions, raffle drawings and many charities showcasing there great work at their booths.
Charity Partners exhibiting
Other Noted guests included: Vicki Cantrell, as known as Retail Fairy God Mother, Founder and CEO of Vendors in Partnership awards (VIP), Dave Finnegan, Operating Partner, BlackFinn Partners, and a retail legend, Sharon M. Leite, CEO of Vitamin Shoppe and many more from the retail and philanthropy fields.
We want to say, Greg Buzek, President and Secretary of Retail ROI, has his heart in the right place, a wonderful man who has been raising funds, for Orphans worldwide, his humanitarian efforts are second to none.
Dr Adal with Genesis Miranda Longo of Shopify
Raising close to 7 million dollars, over the 17 years, and touching thousands of lives of children worldwide.
Guests networking
We at World Liberty TV, have been supporting Retail ROI, for over 4 years, by showcasing their great work via or World Liberty TV, Humanitarian Channels, and visiting many retailers during NRF, who support Retail ROI, this year myself and my team visited Manhattan Associates Shop for a Cause, which donated 6 Months of English speaking education (Which is required to get into high school.
Dave Krikac Founder of ASK Stella
About Retail Orphan Initiative: The Purpose of the Retail Orphan Initiative (Retail ROI) is to raise awareness and provide real solutions for the more than 400 million vulnerable children worldwide.
Dr Adal with Jared DeLong Executive Dir Both Hands
Encourage companies (Retailers, Vendors, and Manufacturers) to create programs internally for their companies to help with the need: Be mentors for foster kids in your area, Provide non-paid leave for employees who adopt or who are foster parents and Establish grant or no-interest loan programs for employees who want to adopt.
Dr Adal with Harmony Brown CEO Africa New Day
To Donate and learn more about Retail Orphan Initiative (Retail ROI) click here for more information.
Dr Adal with Guy Scatton Dir of African Missions Project
See more in our World Liberty TV, Humanitarian Channels, and Blogs and photo galleries by clicking here.
