Retail
Finance professionals in Retail
These ten finance professionals have held FP&A, merchandise finance, controller and retail finance roles in retail businesses. Readers can ask them how retail budgets, sales forecasts and inventory and merchandising tradeoffs are set.
Professionals to explore
01—10Allan Frostman
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director of Merchandise and Marketing Financial Planning & Analysis · Ulta Beauty
Former Senior Director of Merchandise and Marketing Financial Planning & Analysis at Ulta Beauty (2015–2020). The profile describes over 20 years of experience leading FP&A and financial strategy across retail and consumer sectors. Also Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Brownells, Inc. since 2025. Other listed roles include Vice President Financial Planning & Analysis at Bargain Hunt (2023–2025), Senior Director FP&A at Ulta Beauty (2020–2023) and Director of Merchandise Finance at Ulta Beauty (2008–2015).
Caroline Schmidt
LinkedInExperience: Head of Global Financial Planning & Analysis · Circle K
Head of Global Financial Planning & Analysis at Circle K since 2025. The profile describes Circle K as a retail company and a convenience store and gas station chain. Other listed roles include Senior Director Supply Chain & Inventory Finance at Lowe's Companies, Inc. (2024–2025), Senior Director of Supply Chain Operations Finance at Lowe's Companies, Inc. (2023–2024), Director of Supply Chain Finance at Lowe's Companies, Inc. (2021–2023) and Vice President - Planning & Allocation at Belk (2019–2021).
Chris Conner
LinkedInExperience: Director-Sales Controlling (FP&A), North America · SWAROVSKI
Director-Sales Controlling (FP&A), North America at SWAROVSKI since 2015. The profile describes SWAROVSKI as a retail luxury goods and jewelry company and lists sales and expense forecasting among its specialties. Other listed roles include Director - Marketing Analytics at Hudson's Bay Company (2014–2015), Director-FP&A Sales & Profitability at Hudson's Bay Company (2012–2014), Director - Special Projects and Profit Reporting at Lord & Taylor (2011–2012) and Director - Assistant Treasurer at Lord & Taylor (2009–2011).
Chris Walter
LinkedInExperience: Retail Division Controller & Head of FP&A and Real Estate · Apple
Retail Division Controller & Head of FP&A and Real Estate at Apple since 2025. Other listed roles include Retail Division Controller & Head of FP&A at Apple (2022–2025), Head of Retail FP&A & Global Marketing, Merchandising and Visuals Finance Support at Apple (2020–2022), Head of Retail FP&A at Apple (2019–2020) and Technical Accounting Manager at Apple (2017–2019).
Christine Bedi
LinkedInExperience: Director, Finance RLS Stores · Ralph Lauren
Former Director, Finance RLS Stores at Ralph Lauren (2019–2024). The profile describes managing multi-million dollar P&Ls across numerous business units in top-tier retail organizations. Also Director of FP&A, RLE at Ralph Lauren since 2024. Other listed roles include Sr. Finance Consultant - FP&A at Robert Half (2017–2019), Director Finance at Toys"R"Us (2013–2017) and Director FP&A at Toys"R"Us (2011–2013).
Hope Wright
LinkedInExperience: Vice President - Retail Finance & Corporate FP&A · Party City
Former Vice President - Retail Finance & Corporate FP&A at Party City (2023–2024). Other listed roles include Vice President - FP&A and Financial Operations at Perry Ellis International (2012–2023), Director - Global Financial Reporting (Retail Division) at Ralph Lauren (2009–2011), Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (Corporate) at Ralph Lauren (2008–2009) and Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis (Wholesale Division) at Ralph Lauren (2007–2008).
Katharine Kiernan
LinkedInExperience: Walmart US - Director Merchandise Finance & Strategy · Walmart
Walmart US - Director Merchandise Finance & Strategy at Walmart since 2025. The profile describes a retail finance leader bridging operations, supply chain and merchandising. Other listed roles include Walmart US - Director Transportation Finance at Walmart (2023–2025), Sam's Club - Senior Manager II Operations Finance at Walmart (2021–2023), Walmart International - Senior Manager I FP&A at Walmart (2020–2021) and General Management Summer Associate at Danaher (2019).
Kellyn Creel (Grantham)
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Merchandising Finance (FP&A) · Target
Senior Director, Merchandising Finance (FP&A) at Target since 2025. The profile describes a merchandising finance team that supports the discretionary business (home, apparel and accessories, and hardlines) as well as owned brands and sourcing. Other listed roles include Senior Director Financial Planning Analysis at Target (2022–2025), Senior Director Corporate Development at Target (2018–2022), Director of Business Development (M&A) at Target (2016–2018) and Group Manager, Business Development (M&A) at Target (2015–2016).
Lovely P.
LinkedInExperience: Senior AVP Controller · SM Retail
Senior AVP Controller at SM Retail since 2026. The profile describes finance business partnering with skills in financial analysis, financial planning, forecasting and budgeting. Other listed roles include AVP Controller at SM Retail (2022–2026), AVP Controller at SM Retail (2018–2022), Financial Controller at Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (2014–2018) and Financial Controller at Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (2011–2018).
Matt Crawford
LinkedInExperience: Director of Finance - Corporate FP&A · Dollar Tree Stores
Director of Finance - Corporate FP&A at Dollar Tree Stores since 2025. The profile describes a history of working in retail, consumer goods manufacturing and wholesale distribution. Other listed roles include Director of Finance - Inventory Accounting at Dollar Tree Stores (2017–2025), Manager of Internal Audit at Smithfield Foods (2015–2017), Accounting Compliance Manager at Smithfield Foods (2012–2015) and Adjunct Professor at Christopher Newport University (2016).
Choose the right perspective
Check whether the person's relevant role is current or past and whether it covered a whole company, a store or merchandising area, or a support function such as supply chain. Pick the person whose scope matches your decision, such as merchandise finance for assortment and inventory questions or corporate FP&A for company-wide planning.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you set an inventory budget for a season when sales trends are uncertain? What do you commit early and what do you hold back?
- 02Walk me through a decision to open, close or remodel stores. What numbers settled it?
- 03Tell me about a sales forecast that missed. How did you adjust inventory, staffing or markdown plans?
Reaching finance professionals in Retail
How can I contact one of these finance professionals in Retail?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Ulta Beauty, Circle K and SWAROVSKI, based on profile data retrieved on October 1, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach finance professionals in Retail?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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