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November 21, 2025 | Episode: S2 Ep 3
How to Stay Flexible When Everything is Changing
Detria Courtalis | Vice President, Sales US | Pandora
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SHOW NOTES

Change is constant in retail — but how we respond to it is what sets great leaders apart.

For Detria Courtalis, VP of Retail at Pandora, change isn’t something to survive. It’s something to flex with. In this episode of FRONTLINE FRIDAYS, host Ron Thurston sits down with Detria to unpack what it really means to lead through transformation — with empathy, adaptability, and a sense of purpose.

From her early career lessons at The Gap to her 14 years shaping Pandora’s growth, Detria shares how she’s built teams that thrive through uncertainty, give feedback with care, and never lose sight of their values. Together, she and Ron explore how to turn challenge into opportunity — for yourself, your team, and the next generation of retail leaders.

If you’ve ever wondered how to stay human while leading through change, this one’s for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

  • (02:42) What it means to flex your thinking and lead through constant change
  • (04:08) The three types of people in change — and how to coach each one
  • (05:16) Why strong leaders adapt without losing their values
  • (07:29) How “raising your hand” can open doors in your career
  • (13:27) The story behind Pandora’s transformation — and why they call customers “fans”
  • (18:26) Building clear career paths to retain top talent
  • (26:32) The mistake that taught Detria humility and self-awareness
  • (30:15) Why “feedback is a gift” is the foundation of effective leadership
  • (34:26) The one question every leader should ask themselves before leading others

GUEST BIO

Detria Courtalis is a bold, authentic sales executive with more than three decades of leadership across retail, wholesale, and business development. She currently serves as Vice President of Sales for the U.S. and Caribbean at Pandora Jewelry, where she is a member of the North American Executive Leadership Team. In this role, she directs the sales organization within Pandora’s largest global market, driving performance across corporate stores, wholesale channels, training, sales operations, and asset protection.

Since joining Pandora in 2011, Detria has advanced through multiple leadership roles, including Retail and Franchise Director and Vice President of Wholesale U.S., guiding the brand through transformative growth, new store expansion, franchise acquisitions and landmark product launches. Recognized as a transformational leader who scales retail and wholesale success with passion and heart, she has consistently driven business performance while fostering a culture of resilience, authenticity, and people-first leadership.

Detria holds a B.A. in Management and Marketing from the University of Mount Union and a Coaching & Development certification from Coach University. Beyond her corporate achievements, she was named the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year in 2009 and served on the board of the Ed Block Courage Awards Foundation. She finds her greatest joy in family, wellness, and inspiring others to embrace possibility with courage and authenticity.

ABOUT FRONTLINE FRIDAYS

Your store teams feel it: more pressure, more change, less time to get it right. FRONTLINE FRIDAYS helps you turn that pressure into impact.

Built for senior retail + hospitality field leaders, each episode features candid conversations with execs from iconic brands, sharing tactics you can use today.

HOSTED BY RON THURSTON. Ron is a global retail leadership expert and two-time bestselling author of RETAIL PRIDE (2020) and HUMAN PRIDE (2025).