2025 Rising Stars: Paul Lukason, Staples
Every year, Store Brands sets out to recognize the next generation of private label leaders, individuals who are not only excelling in their roles but also driving meaningful progress across the industry. The 2025 Rising Stars embody the innovation, energy, and strategic thinking that are essential to keeping store brands competitive, relevant, and compelling to today’s consumers.
This year’s honorees share a deep commitment to delivering value, quality, and fresh ideas to their companies and retail partners. Whether launching new product lines, strengthening brand identities, or collaborating across teams to improve execution, each of these professionals brings passion and purpose to their work.
The impact of these Rising Stars is already being felt across the private label landscape. Many have played pivotal roles in building more shopper-centric brands, streamlining supply chains, or identifying on-trend innovations that resonate at shelf. In an era where private brands are gaining ground, their efforts are helping to redefine what store brands can be.
As the private label industry continues to evolve, future success will depend on a new generation of leaders. Their drive, insights, and collaborative spirit are setting a new standard, one that ensures the future of store brands is bright, bold, and built to last.
Paul Lukason
Senior Manager, Project Management
Staples
Known for his continued pursuit of excellence, Paul Lukason, senior manager of Project Management at Staples, is a Store Brands 2025 Rising Star, a testament to his exceptional dedication and impactful contributions to the company's private label success.
Lukason's role involves leading his Project Management team to coordinate and deliver projects and programs within Staples' Breakroom and Furniture categories. He also supports the Staples Brands Group PMO in defining processes that enable his globally dispersed team to deliver products on time and to specification.
His commitment to the best interests of both the brands and consumers is evident in his flexible and adaptive project management leadership, which spans multiple categories. He has diligently mastered his craft, effectively raising the bar for what a private label project management team can achieve.
This past year, Lukason spearheaded his team's efforts to plan and position more than 40 new and impactful product offerings within the Pick Me Up brand. He also guided several exciting initiatives in the Furniture category and led rebranding efforts for the Perk brand.
Lukason's passion for getting it right is well known among his colleagues. He's not afraid to ask the tough questions, whether process or product-related, to ensure optimal outcomes. Recognizing that product delivery is a team effort, he prioritizes partnership and relationship building, making him a sought-after collaborator. He has built strong connections with colleagues worldwide, often from their first day, with many team members praising his attentive onboarding that quickly enabled them to contribute.
