Macy’s leader Amanda Pioppi puts people-first leadership at the center of retail growth

Amanda Pioppi, SHRM-CP, is a divisional leader at Macy’s who oversees training, team development and human resources across multi-location beauty retail operations. Her approach emphasizes succession planning, employee engagement and authentic leadership as retail leaders face faster change and a growing need for human connection. Why it matters: - Pioppi’s work sits at the intersection of retail performance and people management, where better training and leadership development can affect customer experience, employee retention and store results. - Her focus on human connection comes as retail leaders are under pressure to balance metrics, speed and service. - Her emphasis on succession planning and team development points to a broader need for stronger internal talent pipelines in retail. What happened: - Amanda Pioppi, SHRM-CP, is a divisional leader at Macy’s in retail beauty and human resources. - She oversees multiple store locations and coaches managers and teams on customer experience, performance and operational excellence. - Pioppi has more than 15 years of experience. - Her career began in education after she earned a Master of Science in Teaching. - She later moved into retail leadership roles at Ulta Beauty before joining Macy’s. The details: - Pioppi’s leadership work includes training development, team building, succession planning, employee engagement and organizational effectiveness. - Her leadership philosophy centers on identifying strengths, developing talent and building a culture of growth, accountability and continuous improvement. - She says her most meaningful work is mentoring and promoting team members as they grow into leadership roles. - Pioppi credits her background in teaching with shaping her coaching and development style. - She sees integrity, accountability and growth as the core values that guide her professional and personal life. - Pioppi said one of the most important pieces of career advice she received was to bet on herself before feeling completely ready. - She encourages young women in retail and beauty to speak up, share ideas and learn through action rather than waiting for perfection. - Pioppi believes adaptability is essential because the retail and beauty industry changes constantly. - She says effective leaders must pair strong human connection with the ability to pivot when needed. - Pioppi believes authenticity builds trust, strengthens relationships and creates lasting impact. - More information is available through Amanda Pioppi’s Influential Women profile . Between the lines: - The profile frames Pioppi as part of a broader shift in retail leadership toward people-first management, not just sales execution. - Her background in education helps explain why coaching and development appear to be central to her leadership style. - The message also reflects a common tension in retail: leaders are expected to hit performance targets without losing the human element. What’s next: - Pioppi is likely to continue focusing on leadership development and team performance as Macy’s retail environment evolves. - Her perspective suggests future retail leaders will need both operational discipline and stronger people skills. - The article positions her as an example for women building careers in retail, beauty and human resources.