The National Retail Federation honored industry leaders yesterday, on day two of the 2025 NRF PROTECT Conference in Grapevine, Texas. The pinnacle of recognition for industry professionals championing retail safety across loss prevention and cybersecurity, the NRF PROTECT Awards were presented to five trailblazers.
First, the Retail Cybersecurity Leadership Award was given to Diane Brown, vice president of IT risk management at ULTA Beauty. Brown joined the company in 2008 and has led Ulta Beauty’s efforts to develop and expand its information security team. She has been a member of the NRF IT Security Council since its founding in 2014 and has served as chair since 2022. She also currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Retail and Hospitality ISAC (RH-ISAC).
Next, NRF VP of AP and Retail Operations David Johnston presented the Ring of Excellence Awards, which honor exemplary leaders in loss prevention who have left a lasting impact in the retail industry. The recipients were:
- Tony D’Onofrio, president of Sensormatic Solutions, is a globally recognized leader in loss prevention innovation with more than three decades of experience. D’Onofrio has worked with the largest retailers and top industry leaders throughout his career. He advocates for combating retail loss and organized retail crime through disruptive technologies and solutions, along with stronger laws to create a safer and more secure retail environment.
- Paul Jones, senior vice president of sales for Gatekeeper Systems, is an industry expert with more than four decades of experience in asset protection for top retail brands. Jones helped launch eBay and PayPal’s PROACT loss prevention program, and he was instrumental in launching the Loss Prevention Foundation. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Foundation, mentoring the next generation of loss prevention talent and advancing the profession through innovation, education, and collaboration.
- Randy Meadows most recently served as senior vice president of loss prevention at Kohl’s where he retired after 18 years with the company. An industry expert with four decades of experience in loss prevention and safety, he has held leadership roles at Hollywood Entertainment, Mervyn’s, Nike, and Stage Stores. He also served as a member of the NRF Loss Prevention Council. His strategic initiatives have delivered measurable shrink reduction, profit improvement, and people development. Meadows remains active in the industry, serving as both a mentor and strategic advisor.
- Kathleen Smith, CFI, retired in 2022 as vice president of asset protection at Safeway, where she led loss prevention efforts for over 2,400 stores, 33 manufacturing plants, and 20 distribution centers. With more than four decades of experience in security management, asset protection, and law enforcement, she previously served as a member of the NRF Loss Prevention Council and the Loss Prevention Foundation. Smith has also served on the advisory board for the Center for Interviewer Standards and Assessment IAI (CFI), and has participated in the Loss Prevention Research Council.
After the awards were presented, NRF PROTECT attendees were invited to cheers to these outstanding honorees’ accomplishments with champagne. Congratulations to all of the 2025 NRF PROTECT Award winners!