🎙️Episode 113: Building Teams to Lead Retail Transformation — A Conversation with Theo Killion
What does it take to lead meaningful transformation in retail, and how do you build teams that make it possible?
This episode features Theo Killion, former CEO of Zale Corporation and current board member at Torrid Holdings Inc. and Claire’s Stores. From a small town in West Virginia to the C-suite of major brands, Theo’s journey is a powerful testament to the impact of leadership, resilience, and building people-centric organizations in times of change.
Meet Our Guest: Theo Killion
Theo Killion is a seasoned retail executive and transformational leader, with nearly five decades of experience guiding some of the world’s most recognized brands. As CEO of Zale Corporation, he led one of retail’s great turnaround stories, empowering teams to rebuild a company and culture from the ground up. Today, Theo shares his expertise on multiple public and private boards, focusing on leadership development, innovation, and the human side of organizational change.
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Episode Highlights
The Journey
Theo recounts his early beginnings, the career-defining moments that shaped his approach to leadership, and the mentors who encouraged him to see every challenge as an opportunity. He shares stories from Macy’s to Tommy Hilfiger to Zales, illustrating the value of authenticity, curiosity, and lifelong learning.
The Lessons
What do you learn going from developing people to leading a transformation?
The pillars of retail transformation: customer experience, employee empowerment, and a relentless focus on innovation.
Why great leaders don’t just manage - they inspire trust, communicate vision, and help others believe in what’s possible.
The importance of humility, adaptability, and honest feedback in building high-performing teams and resilient organizations.
How to balance business imperatives with humanity, ensuring people always come first.
Advice for Future Retail Leaders
Theo offers his real-life advice to students and emerging professionals on building relationships, embracing risk, and the true definition of leadership:
Invest in building authentic relationships at every level; people drive every transformation.
Be open to feedback and embrace mistakes as learning opportunities.
Remember: leadership is a service, not a title. The most impactful leaders lift others as they climb.
The “Relatable” Rapid Fire Round
In this fun close, Theo reveals his favorite inspirational quote, his must-have “reset” activity outside the boardroom, and the leadership lesson he wishes he’d learned sooner. His answers are as insightful and down-to-earth as his leadership style.
Host Takeaways
Theo Killion’s story underscores that successful transformation in retail is never just about strategy or numbers - it’s about people. His insights on empowering teams, communicating vision, and building trust are a must-listen for anyone looking to lead positive change in any organization.
Follow Theo:
Theo Killion | LinkedIn
Continue the Conversation:
What resonated the most with you? Share your insights or questions below - we’d love to hear your thoughts.