The School of Business

Center for Retail Leadership

man running, girl hiking outside, group of friends enjoying wine.

Crafting Future Leaders

in Athletic & Outdoor and Food, Beverage, & Goods

PSU's Center for Retail Leadership empowers future leaders through specialized business certificate programs in Athletic & Outdoor Leadership and Food, Beverage & Goods—industries at the heart of Portland and Oregon’s vibrant brand and retail ecosystem. With a focus on consumer product leadership, we offer immersive learning, industry partnerships, and specialized certificate programs, connecting students with real-world experiences and a strong professional network. Our graduates are equipped to excel and innovate in Portland’s most dynamic career fields.

Our Certificate Programs

Our Athletic & Outdoor Industry Graduate Certificate puts you on the fast track to a career in this exciting sector. Designed and led by seasoned pros from Portland-based brands, the program has excellent job-placement rates.

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Our Athletic & Outdoor Industry Undergraduate Certificate allows you to combine your passion with your career, and gain the experience and connections you need to race ahead in this dynamic industry.

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Our Food, Beverage & Goods Leadership Undergraduate Certificate is developed in collaboration with industry leaders. It will add a multifaceted specialization to your business degree and prepare you for an array of career opportunities.

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Our WAFC-endorsed Pre-Baccalaureate Consumer Retail Certificate allows Retail Management Certificate holders to enter the next phase of your career at full speed by honing business, marketing, supply chain and human resources acumen.

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Students in retail space

Immersive Experiences

Take your education outside the classroom. The Center for Retail Leadership supports student-led clubs and offers a variety of hands-on, industry-engaging, experiential learning opportunities in Portland and beyond. Every year students travel around the country to network and learn.

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Student at graduation

Scholarships

The Center for Retail Leadership offers scholarships through PSU's Scholarship Universe for students pursuing each of our certificates. Scholarships support student success and are awarded each year based on merit and need. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in PSU and the certificate program during the current academic year. 

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Career workshop

Industry Engagement

Our deep industry relationships are central to the student experience. We invite industry leaders to collaborate with us in a variety of ways, including board service, guest speaking, hosting a pop-up, participating in research, hiring our students and more.

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Resources

We build a bridge between academia and industry. Learn about retail from our curated resources, including podcasts, recorded workshops, Zoom chats and more.

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Footwear in retail window

Excellent Job Placement Rates

PSU Certificates help you specialize your degree and hit the ground running.

Focus your career on an industry that you’re passionate about.

Gain specialized skills and the industry knowledge that you need to break into some of Portland’s most competitive lifestyle companies. 

Learn first-hand from industry.

Edwin Martinez

Edwin Martinez
B.S. / Athletic & Outdoor Certificate '16

Brand Strategy & Strategic Partnerships
adidas

"The A&O Certificate curriculum exposed me to so many thought-provoking conversations. By the time I stepped foot in adidas, I was already familiarized with the terminology, which made my onboarding process much easier.”

Mandy Loh
B.S. / Food, Bev & Goods Leadership Certificate, '15

Account Executive
Procter & Gamble

“Being involved in the Center gave me the chance to discover what I really wanted to do - from exploring entrepreneurship and participating in business pitch competitions to learning more about the consumer packaged goods industry through attending trade shows.”

Justin Chi

Justin Chi
MBA / Athletic & Outdoor Certificate '17

Business Development Manager
adidas

"I went through the A&O program when it started in 2015. The program gave me the perspective on the industry that I needed. Having that perspective made adidas seem a lot less intimidating when it came time to interview."

Alumni Job Placement

Athletic & Outdoor Alumni

  • Monae Khorvash, 2018 - Global Consumer Direct Marketing, Men's Lifestyle, Nike
  • Tessa Smith, 2018 - Launch Analyst, Nike 
  • Itchelle Mapanao, 2018 - Product Line Manager - Global Jordan Brand Women's Footwear, Nike
  • Kate Bray, 2017 - VP, Marketing, Incrementum Digital
  • Kiera Olson, 2017 - Sr. Project Manager, Global Growth - Digital People & Culture, Lululemon
  • Justin Chi, 2017 - Director of Finance Operations, adidas
  • Thomas Arm, 2017 - Lead Retail Management Consultant, Propeller
  • Edwin Martinez, 2016 - Sr. Project Manager, Basketball, adidas 
  • Briana Patricio, 2020 - Manager Retail Excellence, adidas

Food, Beverage & Goods Leadership Alumni

  • Jessica Quintanilla, 2015 - Operations Manager, Amazon
  • Mandy Loh, 2015 - Senior Account Executive, Baby & Feminine Care, West Region, P&G
  • Allen Dillard, 2009 - Sourcing Manager, Starbucks 
  • Karla Zarate, 2018 - Global Marketing Programs Business Operations Manager, Amazon
  • Daphne Scott, 2022 - Consumer Relations Contract Manager, Tillamook County Creamery Association
  • Elisabeth Lingass, 2022 - Chief of Staff, Crunchfirm 

Alumni Employers

  • Amazon
  • adidas
  • Columbia Sportswear
  • Fred Meyer
  • Gerber Gear
  • Kroger
  • New Seasons
  • Safeway Albertsons
  • Starbucks
  • Stumptown
  • Target
  • Proctor & Gamble

Connect With Us

Center for Retail Leadership Executive Director Lindsey Morse
Lindsey's greatest strength is her unique ability to weave together ideas, people and resources to form partnerships and bring programs to life. Lindsey is passionate about innovation and disruption in the Athletic & Outdoor and Food, Beverage & Goods space, and preparing the next generation of future leaders for careers in the industry. In her free time, you can find her exploring nature or hanging out with her dog Oliver.

Contact Lindsey Morse at lindseym@pdx.edu.

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