The Neeley School of Business Center for Supply Chain Innovation and the College of Fine Arts Fashion Merchandising Department co-hosted Deloitte's Futurist Kasey Lobaugh to detail the economic, tech, and social shifts redefining the market, urging students to be curious.
October 25, 2025
By Winter Harris
Writer, Neeley Communications
The future consumer will look much different in the coming years and students at Texas Christian University (TCU) learned more about what to expect when Kasey Lobaugh, the chief consumer industry futurist at Deloitte Consulting LLC came to campus as a featured guest at a Future Values speaker event.
The Center for Supply Chain Innovation in the Neeley School of Business and the College of Fine Arts Department of Fashion Merchandising co-hosted the event, showcasing Deloitte’s newest research on the future of consumer behavior.
Lobaugh, who has more than 30 years of experience at Deloitte beginning as an intern and rising to become one of the firm’s most senior leaders, led the discussion. He encouraged the audience to “look back to look forward.”
He discussed the powerful economic, tech-related, and social factors that are redefining the modern consumer. Lobaugh’s presentation outlined the shift from traditional demographic analysis to a more complex understanding of psychographics, breaking down ways values, motivations, and expectations are transforming the consumer landscape.
By sharing predictions for the 2050s average consumer and how we get there, Lobaugh was able to paint a picture of what lies ahead for students and professionals.
After the keynote, Lobaugh joined a panel of executives from across industries to discuss how businesses and students alike can adapt to the rapid change. The panel featured Eric Hill, chief operating officer at The Glo Companies; Michael Leen, vice president of North America sales and global marketing at Bristlecone; and Dennis Mullahy, retired chief supply chain officer of Macy’s.
Topics ranged from artificial intelligence’s growing role in the industry to the skills students will need to thrive in tomorrow’s marketplace.
When asked what advice they would give current students, one panelist stated one essential trait -curiosity. Students were encouraged to be curious and ask probing questions. In doing so they’ll build brain power and expand their strategic thinking capabilities.
The discussion transitioned into a networking reception, giving attendees the chance to connect with panelists, industry professionals, and peers from both the Neeley School of Business and the Department of Fashion Merchandising.
The Future Value attendees left the event with a deeper understanding of the rapidly shifting consumer landscape, how to prepare for what comes next, and a mindset to embrace the future of business.
