Sponsored by Northern Trust

Northern Trust

As part of our commitment to the long-term success of our alumni, TCU Neeley hosts the Alumni Advantage Series to provide you with cutting-edge business knowledge and insider access to the Neeley School of Business.

Leadership Lessons from Undercover Boss

The concept of secret shoppers is not new to organizations large and small. But what lessons can be learned when the leader of that organization becomes the secret shopper? How might an experience on the front lines change the way leaders make decisions that will drastically impact their organization?

UScellular President and CEO, Laurent Therivel and CEO of the Vitamin Shoppe, Sharon Leite recently found out exactly what that experience would be like. Starring in individual episodes of the popular CBS series, “Undercover Boss”, both Therivel and Leite had the opportunity to work, engage with employees and participate in the day to day store-front operations of their organizations – all in disguise.

Join John V. Roach Neeley School of Business Dean, Daniel Pullin, for an in-depth discussion around the television experience for both of these leaders, how meeting the front-line teams has changed or impacted the decisions they make for their customers and employees and how they’ve transformed as leaders after this experience.

Event Details

May 13, 2022 (Virtual)
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CST

Panelists and Moderator

 

Sharon Leite, Chief Executive Office of The Vitamin Shoppe

Sharon M. Leite currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe®. In this role, she leads a renewed growth strategy that is bringing industry-leading innovation, quality, and expertise to the health and wellness category.

Ms. Leite joined The Vitamin Shoppe in August 2018 and since that time has launched a new technology-driven retail format, opened distribution to new sales channels, increased development and penetration of private brands, introduced personalization initiatives, pioneered an expansive CBD hemp extract merchandising program, and expanded the business into Asia. She has also reinvigorated an updated Healthy Awards® loyalty program, inked integrated partnerships with industry leaders such as WW (formerly Weight Watchers), and most recently, launched an innovative, omnichannel franchising model, with the brand’s first-ever franchise location opened in 2022.

The Vitamin Shoppe, a subsidiary of Franchise Group Inc., is an omni-channel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle Company with more than 700 directly operated stores, under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements™ banners, and an e-commerce business. Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Company offers a comprehensive assortment of nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and natural beauty products.

Ms. Leite joined The Vitamin Shoppe from Godiva Chocolatier, where she was President of North America from October 2017, leading a turnaround that returned the North American business to profitability. Previously, Ms. Leite was the President of Sally Beauty, US and Canada, an international specialty retailer and distributor of professional beauty products. Ms. Leite also spent close to a decade at Pier 1 Imports in increasingly senior roles, leaving as Executive Vice President of Sales, Customer Experience, and Real Estate.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Leite held leadership positions with increasing responsibilities at Bath & Body Works (L Brands), Gap Inc., The Walt Disney Company, and Express.

Ms. Leite currently serves on the Boards of The National Retail Federation, The Lovesac Company, Tandy Leather Factory Inc., Women in Retail Leadership, Performing Arts Fort Worth, and the Neeley Business School at Texas Christian University. She is also a member of the Senior Advisory Council of AEA Investors.

 

 

Laurent Therivel, President and Chief Executive Officer of UScellular

As president and chief executive officer, LT is focused on growing UScellular’s business and positioning the company for future success. He is highly customer and associate focused and is committed to UScellular’s mission of connecting customers to the people and places that matter most to them. He is also on the board of directors of both TDS (UScellular’s parent company) and UScellular.

LT joined UScellular as president and CEO in July 2020, bringing 15+ years of experience in the wireless industry, including more than 10 years at AT&T, where he held roles as chief financial officer of AT&T Business Solutions, senior vice president of AT&T Small Business Solutions, and his most recent position as CEO of AT&T Mexico.

Prior to his career at AT&T, LT was chief operating officer at IPcelerate, Inc., and he spent time early in his career at Bain & Company, leading several high impact assignments related to operational redesign and cost structure. He also completed four and a half years with the U.S. Marine Corps, earning the rank of Captain and serving as a telecommunications operations officer in San Diego, Calif., and a communications officer in Southeast Asia.

LT earned bachelor’s degrees in business administration and marketing from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and a master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School in Boston, Mass. LT is currently a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Executives Club of Chicago and is on the Board of Directors for CTIA as well as being a member of the nominating committee. He was previously on the Board of Directors for Sky Mexico and The Game Show Network and was a Board member and Interim COO of the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife and two children.

 

Daniel Pullin

 

Daniel Pullin, John V. Roach Dean of the TCU Neeley School of Business

Daniel Pullin is the John V. Roach Dean of the Neeley School of Business at TCU and Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Pullin is responsible for enhancing the profile of TCU Neeley undergraduate and graduate programs to maintain the school’s upward trajectory. He also serves as a steward to TCU and its business community partners. He focuses on defining and cultivating academic excellence among students and faculty, and enhancing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Pullin came to TCU in May 2019 from the University of Oklahoma, where he was Dean of the Price College of Business since 2014. He has won awards for teaching, innovation in business and academic integrity, and was honored as OKC 40 Under 40.

Prior to joining OU, Pullin worked for global consultancy McKinsey & Company and the private equity firm Hicks Muse Tate & Furst and its portfolio companies.
He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma and MBA from Harvard Business School before returning to Oklahoma to earn a Juris Doctor.

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