20 Questions With Detria Courtalis, VP, Retail and Wholesale Sales, US, Pandora Jewelry

Detria Courtalis is the vice president of retail and wholesale sales for the U.S. at Pandora Jewelry. She’s also a Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) member! In this member spotlight, we asked her a series of questions about both her professional role and personal life, including the woman that inspires her, her leadership style, her advice for the next generation of female leaders, and much more.

1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
   “On Brand” by Aliza Licht
2. What is a tip you have for productively leading a remote or hybrid team?
   Consistently schedule both informal and formal touchpoints to keep all lines of communication open.
3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?
   Not listening to the why behind the feedback my leader was giving me. All I heard was the feedback itself, not the reasoning or examples. Because of that, I didn’t fully listen and chose the wrong direction.
4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
   Making the right choices for the organization or business when many don’t agree. Also, staying focused on driving possibilities rather than listening to the naysayers.
5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
   By being authentic, approachable, and listening to them and laughing with them.
6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
   My executive coach of more than seven years. She is a female CEO from an industry very different from retail, yet she has been my coach, my cheerleader, my inspiration, and the one who has given me tough love. I wouldn’t be where I am without her.
7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry over the next year?
   I’m excited to see how brands continue to elevate the consumer experience both in-store and digitally. Technology, storytelling, and personalization are combining to create a more seamless and engaging journey.
8. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
   A proven ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, adapt to change, and navigate ambiguity with resilience. I also look for a grit-driven mindset that sustains a high-performance culture.
9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
   To settle into the present more and realize that every day doesn’t need to be a sprint to the next chapter.
10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    I don’t have one favorite. I listen to different ones depending on my mood, such as financial news, health and fitness, or thought leaders like Mel Robbins. I’m an eternal learner.
11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Leading with passion and integrity
12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I lead with my heart and am unapologetically authentic. I believe anything is possible. It may be hard, but it’s possible.
13. What practices or boundaries have you implemented in your personal life to create more work/life balance?
    Protecting my time off and my team’s time off. I put everything in my calendar, including workouts and thinking time. It’s always a work in progress.
14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
    I lead with heart, grit and bold authenticity to drive growth and inspire people.
15. What’s your favorite app?
    I’m obsessed with my Oura Ring app. It’s amazing to see how what you eat and drink, the timing of what you do in a day, and your activity all play a role in your sleep and performance the next day.
16. What do you do to recharge?
    I love the beach and spending time in nature.
17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    My amazing family, which is my supportive husband and two daughters. My daughters are now coming into their own, one as a doctor of physical therapy and the other in product marketing.
18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Believe in yourself and believe that anything is possible. You need the EQ and the IQ. Be you, be authentic, and never let this world take away your smile and laughter.
19. What gets you up in the morning?
    The joy of waking up to a new day ahead, plus some help from my Hatch and our two dogs!
20. What do you like most about being a member of Women in Retail Leadership Circle?
    The women this community has reconnected me with, along with the invaluable resources it provides.