FRONTLINE FRIDAYS with Ron Thurston

Climbing the retail career ladder can feel like a maze — but most coaches won’t give you the map. Kate Sargent, founder of KJS Career Coaching & Consulting and former People leader at Allbirds, The Citizenry, Method, and The North Face, cuts through the noise with blunt, actionable advice. In this episode, she unpacks how to make smart career moves, position yourself for recognition, and futur...

Sometimes the smallest shifts in how you lead make the biggest difference on the sales floor. At Blu Dot, VP of Retail Jennifer Steichen and Regional Manager Jo Cox have learned how to turn subtle, intentional changes into outsized results for their teams and customers. In this episode, they share practical ways to embed brand values in daily operations, empower store teams with an entrepreneurial...

Sherrica Hill, Director of Solutions Design & Delivery at Jobs for the Future (JFF), has spent two decades proving that potential — not credentials — creates stronger, more innovative teams. From her early frontline roles to spearheading Gap Inc.’s This Way ONward program, Sherrica has built a career around rethinking hiring practices. In this episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, she shares practical...

Every retail leader faces the same challenge: how to test new ideas without disrupting the business. Pilot projects are the answer. Michael A. Saldaña, Senior Retail Operations Manager at UNTUCKit, has built a career turning pilots into scalable wins. In this episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, he breaks down UNTUCKit’s approach to running flawless pilots — from choosing the right locations to engaging...

In retail, moving fast is the norm — so when your career feels stuck, it can feel like failure. But what if “stuck” is the pause you need to catapult to the next level? Brian Librach, author of "The Retail Leader’s Roadmap," and former VP of Stores at Urban Outfitters, has lived it. Starting his career at 21 and becoming a VP by 38, Brian has seen both the plateaus and the breakthroughs. In this e...

If you had a great mentor in your retail career, you know how rare and powerful that relationship can be. The problem? Most rising leaders can’t find one. Laura Ravo is here to change that. A retail expert with 30 years of executive store and operations experience, Laura has led high-performing teams at Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, Oakley, The Body Shop, and Strand Bookstore, and most recently serve...

Retail’s future depends on leaders who can inspire and equip the next generation of frontline talent. Kelly Anderson, Retail Director at Swiss luxury fashion house Akris, has spent 20 years in leadership roles at Moncler, Louis Vuitton, Kenneth Cole, and Aldo — building inclusive, high-performing teams across generations. In this episode, she shares how to nurture young talent so they stay and gro...

Traditional leadership tells us to lead with strength and certainty — but what if showing vulnerability is actually the bigger power move? Payton McFaden, Director of Global Sales Operations at Peloton, knows firsthand. She started on the retail frontlines and spent years trying — and failing seven times — to move into a corporate role before finally breaking through. Instead of hiding that story,...

Asset protection in retail isn't just about loss prevention — it's about leadership, strategy, and shaping the frontline experience. 🔗 In the dynamic world of retail, how do leaders navigate the complexities of asset protection while maintaining profitability and integrity? 🛍️ 💯 In Episode 05 of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, guest Khris Hamlin, Vice President of Asset Protection at Retail Industry Leaders...

Every leader wants to be authentic — but what does that really look like on the sales floor? In this episode, Ron Thurston sits down with GameStop’s Senior Manager of Learning & Development, who has spent 18 years with the company building high-performing teams and proving that unconventional career paths can spark real leadership growth. Together, they unpack what it means to develop an authe...

Visual merchandising has always been about aesthetics — but today’s retail environment demands more. Customers want to feel represented, and employees expect inclusive, authentic workplaces. That makes visual merchandisers key players in shaping culture, not just displays. Adimika Jaia Owens, a brand experience executive with 25+ years leading visual merchandising at Floor & Decor, Bloomingdal...

Employees who feel a sense of community at work are more engaged — but for many retail leaders, building that kind of culture feels impossible with turnover, part-time schedules, and constant pressure. Paula Angelucci, District Director at Adore Me with past leadership roles at Victoria’s Secret and Macy’s, has cracked the code. In this episode, she shares how to create tight-knit store teams thro...

Frontline employees in retail and hospitality want more than just more money. Employee satisfaction surveys reveal another common refrain: Feeling stagnant in their role. With so many frontliners in a haze about their career trajectory, how can directors and managers help steer more of them towards clarity and growth? Ron Thurston sits down with Director of Training & Communications Sam Rubino...