NRF Foundation Names The Door as RISE Up Partner of the Year
The Door is honored to have been named the 2026 RISE Up Partner of the Year by the National Retail Federation Foundation.
Presented by Old Navy, this national recognition celebrates The Door’s commitment to providing young people in New York City with the skills, training, and support they need to launch meaningful careers in retail. Through our partnership with the NRF Foundation, we’ve integrated their RISE Up credentialing program into our comprehensive career and education services, helping thousands of young people gain both the technical and soft skills that retail employers are seeking.
Expanding Opportunity Through Partnership
This recognition also honors The Door’s nearly two decades of partnership with Old Navy through This Way ONward, which provides young people not only with industry-recognized training but also with mentorship, job opportunities, and the wraparound supports they need to thrive.“We are honored to be recognized as the RISE Up Partner of the Year. At The Door, we believe every young person deserves the chance to build a strong foundation for their future,” said Kelsey Louie, CEO of The Door. “By combining RISE Up’s dynamic retail curriculum with our career education programs and comprehensive wraparound supports, we are ensuring that New York City youth not only gain industry-recognized skills and credentials, but also the resources and stability they need to thrive. Together, we are helping young people turn training into opportunity, opening doors to careers across the very retail brands they know and trust.”
Looking Ahead
The award will be celebrated at the NRF Foundation Honors in New York City on January 11, 2026, where The Door will be recognized alongside leaders from across the retail industry.
At The Door, we believe every young person deserves the chance to build a strong foundation for their future. This honor is a testament to the power of partnership. When nonprofits, employers, and industries come together to invest in the potential of young people, we open doors to life-changing opportunities.