We so often hear about ORC, gang violence, and many other external factors impacting retailers—but do we face an even greater threat from within? Can the employees who know our processes and our policies—who have access to our systems, and to our secured merchandise—pose an even greater threat to the bottom line?
Join us April 24th at 2 p.m. Eastern Time for an eye-opening webinar that delves into the complex world of investigating internal losses within the retail industry. Our first session will explore the impact of internal loss as it relates to the Total Retail Loss theory. Internal loss is more than meets the eye—it has an effect on the entire enterprise. Listen and learn from an expert in the field, Emilia Luedtke, as she shares how this applies in her world.
In our second session, we have a dynamic panel of experienced retail leaders who will discuss real-world situations involving internal theft, employee collusion with external actors, and how organizations are preparing for and responding to internal threats, including potential workplace violence, through prevention, preparation, and swift response. Learn from real examples, gain insights into industry best practices, and leave better equipped to handle the internal challenges facing today’s retail environment. Whether you’re protecting people, profits, or both, and whether you’re in loss prevention, HR, or operations—this is the insider’s guide to navigating the toughest threats from within that you won’t want to miss. 
Our Panelists
Emilia (Emi) Luedtke, LPC serves as the senior manager of investigations and profit protection at DICK’S Sporting Goods, where she leads a team dedicated to safeguarding profitability, mitigating fraud and shrink, and driving operational excellence. With a strong focus on fighting retail crime, reducing internal loss, and protecting the brand, Emi plays a critical role in coordinating cross-functional efforts to ensure a secure and profitable retail environment. With 14 years of tenure at DSG, from footwear teammate to a senior leader within LP, Emi has an array of experience with multiple facets of the business.
Gary Smith is senior director of assets protection field operations at Target, where he has responsibility for the safe and secure strategy, internal/external theft investigative support, organized retail crime investigations, and the public safety engagement strategy. He has over 17 years of retail experience in asset protection, safety, and security. Gary serves as a vice-chair on the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) Board of Advisors.
Kayla Carey, LPQ, LPC leads the field asset protection team for Festival Foods, where she oversees asset protection strategies across the organization. With a focus on risk reduction, program execution, and safety and security, she plays a key role in protecting company assets and supporting operational integrity. Kayla holds Loss Prevention Qualified (LPQ) and Loss Prevention Certified (LPC) credentials from the Loss Prevention Foundation. Her experience spans investigations, policy implementation, and field team support. She brings a structured, data-informed approach to retail security and is committed to advancing industry standards through collaboration and best practices.
Scott Pethuyne is a senior analytics solution consultant with Zebra Technologies. Prior to joining Zebra, he spent over 12 years in retail asset protection. In his current role, he works with retailers to show how they can use Zebra’s analytics and inventory software solutions to combat fraud, improve accuracy and execution, and strengthen profitability.
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