REI, Kantar, and More Join the SFF26 Lineup
Top row (L-R): Izzie Kalaja (Frankie4), Brian Adams (The Return), Liz Katsadouros (Kantar), Ajay Chadha (REI)
- SFF26 will welcome Liz Katsadouros of Kantar, Ajay Chadha of REI, and Brian Adams of The Return to the MainStage in Portland, Oregon, October 28–30, 2026.
- Together, their work spans consumer research and demand forecasting, material innovation, point-of-purchase decisions, and reverse logistics.
- Their MainStage sessions will examine how consumer behavior influences whether sustainability initiatives gain market traction and operational momentum.
- Attendees will gain practical insight into using consumer evidence to design systems people will use, demonstrate commercial value, and strengthen internal support for continued investment.
PORTLAND, ORE., JULY 26, 2026 – The Sustainable Fashion Forum (SFF), an independent media company covering the forces shaping the future of sustainable fashion, today announced the next wave of MainStage speakers for SFF26, taking place October 28–30, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. Featuring executive leadership from Kantar, REI, and The Return, the operator-led lineup brings an evidence-based roadmap for turning consumer psychology into organizational action, C-suite buy-in, and measurable commercial results.
For many sustainability professionals, the primary barrier to progress isn't just changing consumer behavior—it’s winning internal adoption. Securing budget, maintaining headcount, and getting cross-functional support requires proving that sustainability is a core engine of business growth rather than a passive cost center. SFF26 will examine how behavioral data directly impacts the bottom line across every stage of the business, from upstream material R&D to checkout conversion and downstream reverse logistics.
Bridging the C-Suite Gap: Data-backed strategies across the product lifecycle
To gain real operational leverage, sustainability leaders must demonstrate commercial value at every touchpoint. The incoming SFF26 MainStage speakers bring hands-on experience bridging the gap between brand purpose and financial performance:
Liz Katsadouros (Kantar): Drawing on fresh findings from Kantar’s Consumer-Led Sustainability Brand Ranking—evaluating over 2,000 brands across 12 countries—Katsadouros will reveal hard data on why sustainable options succeed or stall at the moment of choice, offering actionable strategies to overcome point-of-purchase friction and build long-term brand equity.
Ajay Chadha (REI): Having spearheaded complex material overhauls across Nike, Coach, and REI, Chadha brings a grounded operator perspective on how consumer performance expectations dictate internal R&D decisions and how technical leaders align product creation, sourcing, and commercial teams to secure internal support.
Brian Adams (The Return): As creator of the R4 Returns Engine, Adams addresses the sharp economic reality of circular fashion, demonstrating how brands can reframe reverse logistics and post-purchase return data from a hidden cost center into a capital allocation strategy that recovers revenue and protects gross margins.
"Securing budget and cross-functional support requires proving that sustainability isn't an isolated narrative, but a fundamental engine of business growth," said Brittany Sierra, Founder and CEO at Sustainable Fashion Forum. "We’re thrilled to welcome leaders from Kantar, REI, and The Return to the SFF26 MainStage. Together, they offer an operator-led playbook for translating consumer insights into C-suite buy-in and scalable, system-wide change."
SFF26 will take place live in Portland, Oregon from October 28–30, 2026. For more information, full session details, and to secure conference passes, visit www.sustainablefashionforum.com.
About SFF26
SFF26 is the 2026 annual flagship conference hosted by the Sustainable Fashion Forum, taking place October 28–30, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. Centered on the Science of Adoption, this year’s conference examines why strong sustainability solutions do not automatically gain traction and what it takes to move them from intention to adoption. Designed for fashion operators, sustainability executives, and senior decision-makers, SFF26 brings together behavioral science, consumer psychology, cultural insight, and market data to explore how companies can build consumer demand, strengthen internal support, and demonstrate the commercial value of sustainability. Tickets are available now.Get your ticket to SFF26.
About the Sustainable Fashion Forum
The Sustainable Fashion Forum (SFF) is an independent media company covering the people, ideas, and forces defining the future of sustainable fashion. SFF advances the industry’s sustainability conversation by challenging conventional thinking, surfacing overlooked perspectives, and connecting ideas across disciplines. Drawing on business strategy, science, policy, behavioral science, consumer psychology, culture, and market dynamics, SFF examines how change happens through independent journalism, original analysis, podcasts, and live experiences. For more information, visit www.sustainablefashionforum.com and follow @thesustainablefashionforum on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Join the Conversation at SFF26
Tickets are available now. Join sustainability leaders exploring how consumer behavior shapes whether sustainability initiatives gain traction, create business value, and continue earning investment.
