NRF PROTECT 2026

At the forefront of J. Crew’s Loss Prevention department, Nicole plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the company's assets. With a strong foundation in criminal justice and certifications in advanced interviewing and interrogation techniques, she combines meticulous analysis with decisive leadership to ensure secure and profitable operations.

Under Nicole’s leadership, J. Crew’s loss prevention strategies have strengthened domestic operations and elevated international programs. By developing and implementing innovative safety, shortage, and process improvement initiatives, she has enhanced J. Crew Group’s bottom line, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to excellence in risk management and loss prevention.

David Johnston is vice president of asset protection and retail operations for the National Retail Federation. In his role, he leads initiatives and member programs focused on asset protection and store operations, facilitating engagement across the industry and promoting best practices and policy initiatives around crime, violence, loss and issues challenging the profitability of retail store operations.

With over three decades of loss prevention and corporate security expertise, Johnston’s experience includes senior roles with global organizations as a practitioner, consultant and solution provider. His experience has afforded him opportunities to engage with many of today’s leading retail, grocery and food service brands across a variety of functions that include asset protection, global security, and digital and ecommerce fraud. He regularly speaks at industry and professional events in support of advocacy and industry issues.

Johnston has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in security studies from the University of Massachusetts.

Jon joined Louis Vuitton Americas as Director- Loss Prevention in May 2008 and was promoted to VP of Asset Protection in 2013. In this role, he initiated the loss prevention program for the company and created all loss prevention, security and safety functions. Under his leadership, Jon’s team has implemented a shrink reduction and an awareness program to help minimize losses. His department is also responsible for all investigations for fraud/theft and to develop strategic state-of-the-art loss prevention technology and physical security initiatives for all stores, warehouses, workshops and offices.

In 2015 Jon was promoted to Vice President, Risk & Asset Protection. In this newly expanded role Jon continues to oversee Asset Protection for Louis Vuitton Americas covering over 8 countries spanning both North and South America and the Caribbean Islands.

Prior to joining Louis Vuitton, Jon was the Director of Loss Prevention for the luxury brand Chanel with previous positions at Abercrombie and Fitch, Donna Karan International and Polo Ralph Lauren. Jon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware. In 2014 Jon was honored as a winner as part of the “The Top 20 under 40” within the private security industry by Security System News. Jon currently sits on the NRF LP Council and is Chair for the NRF ORC/Investigators Network for the US.

John Talamo currently serves as Senior Vice President of Asset Protection for Victoria’s Secret & Co. where he has responsibility for Asset Protection for the global enterprise to include Emergency Operations, Threat Management, Protective Operations, and Travel Security and Safety. John also co-leads the enterprise Crisis Management Team.

Prior to VS&Co, John was SVP of Asset Protection for LBrands, VP of Loss Prevention for Ann Taylor and Director of Security for Lord & Taylor.

John currently serves as Chairman of the National Retail Federation Loss Prevention Advisory Council and has served on the Board of Directors for the Columbus Police Foundation and was President of the Retail Loss Prevention League in New York City.

John holds a BS degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College.

For the past 15 years, John has been a passionate cyclist, riding in Pelotonia to support their mission to end cancer. He was also an avid volunteer for KIPP Columbus, a public charter school where he was instrumental in providing support and guidance for their security and safety program.

David Thompson, CFI, is a Partner and President of Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates (WZ) and an active instructor. He oversees WZ’s strategic vision, daily operations, and the advancement of investigative interviewing curricula, integrating research-based techniques to drive industry change.

With extensive experience as a practitioner and former VP of Operations and Director of Investigations, David has managed diverse cases, from theft and fraud to sexual harassment and homicide. He has developed and delivered training programs worldwide, presented keynote addresses, and holds a position on the Advisor Board of the International Association of Interviews (IAI). David is also the host of the Truth Be Told podcast where he interviews guests including investigators, attorneys, exonerees, journalists and other professionals on the impact of communication.

A sought-after speaker, David has trained professionals across the private and public sectors, including Fortune 500 companies, law enforcement agencies, and government organizations such as U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. He has also spoken at major conferences hosted by the National Retail Federation, the International Investigative Interviewing Research Group, and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.

David has played a key role in evolving WZ’s content and teaching methods, leading the creation of custom programs like one for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, where he served as Deputy Program Manager. Passionate about reform, he collaborates with academics, advocacy groups, and policymakers to enhance interview and interrogation protocols.

He has been cited by the Federal Court of Appeals and consulted on legislative efforts, while also serving duties as an expert witness on false confessions and interrogation techniques. He holds a B.A. in Psychology with a Criminal Justice concentration from Canisius College and an M.S. in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University.