Amanda Pioppi, SHRM-CP
Amanda Pioppi is a dynamic divisional leader at Macy's, where she specializes in training development, team building, and human resources within the retail beauty sector. With over 15 years of experience, she oversees multiple locations, coaching managers and their teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences while driving performance. Her leadership is rooted in a people-first philosophy, focusing on identifying strengths, developing talent, and fostering a culture of growth and accountability.
Amanda’s career began in education, where she earned her Master of Science in Teaching and built a strong foundation in communication, coaching, and development. She later transitioned into retail, holding leadership roles at Ulta Beauty before advancing to her current position. Across her career, she has demonstrated expertise in succession planning, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness, consistently helping individuals and teams reach their full potential.
What Amanda finds most rewarding is the impact she has on others’ careers. She takes pride in mentoring and promoting team members, watching them grow into confident leaders and achieve their professional goals. Her passion for development, combined with her background in education and leadership, continues to shape her approach as a transformational leader in the retail and human resources space.
• SHRM Certified Professional
• Teacher of Theater
• Facilitator of Situational Leadership
• Rowan University- Master's
• Rowan University- B.A.
• SHRM
• Animal Advocacy and Fostering
• Local Food Banks
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my focus on people. I believe if you develop others first, and really spend the time to cultivate their strengths and lean into building their confidence, you're going to be able to see better results. So I start there with the people that I'm interacting with, and that really helps me to get the results in the end.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to bet on myself before I feel completely ready. That really shifted my mindset early on and pushed me to take on opportunities that helped me grow.
A lot of my success has come from being willing to step outside of my comfort zone, trust my experience, and figure things out along the way. That’s what’s allowed me to continue evolving and take on new challenges with confidence.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't underestimate the value of your voice. Speak up, share your ideas, and don't wait till you feel 100% ready. Focus on just building the relationships with others and learning as you go.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is keeping human connection at the center of everything we do. In a fast-paced, results-driven environment, it’s easy to focus only on metrics, but what truly drives long-term success is intentional, meaningful interactions with both customers and our teams.
At the same time, the industry is constantly evolving. Especially in retail and beauty, change is constant, and adaptability is essential. Staying current, being open to new ways of working, and knowing when to pivot are all critical to staying relevant and competitive.
What I’ve learned through my experience is that the leaders who stand out are the ones who can do both well. When you can balance strong human connection with the ability to evolve, you’re not just managing change, you’re leading through it.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most are integrity, accountability, and growth. I believe in showing up consistently, following through on commitments, and holding a high standard for myself and others.
I’m also deeply committed to continuous growth, always looking for ways to evolve and improve. And at the core of everything is authenticity. When you lead with who you truly are, you build trust and create lasting impact.