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Bill Thorne is executive director of the NRF Foundation and senior vice president for communications and public affairs at the National Retail Federation. At the NRF Foundation, he oversees a team charged with helping to shape retail’s future through programs that build awareness about careers in retail, scholarship programs, and training and credentialing. As SVP for communications and public affairs, he is responsible for the creation and implementation of communication strategies around advocacy priorities, policy campaigns and reputational programs.

Thorne came to NRF in 2012 from the Walmart Corporation in Bentonville, Ark. He started with Walmart as the senior director for advocacy and outreach. In this role, he was responsible for developing, implementing and growing the company’s strategic advocacy campaigns and reputational efforts. In 2009, he became the senior director of community affairs where he was responsible for helping the largest retailer in the world grow its presence in urban markets.