Nicole Escandon
Nicole E. is an accomplished people-first leader and Associate Director at Chewy, where she has spent nearly a decade building and scaling high-performing teams across customer care, specialty teams, and quality assurance. Currently serving as Associate Director of Quality Assurance within Chewy’s DEX team, Nicole is known for her sharp operational insight, high standards, and deep commitment to excellence—all grounded in empathy and integrity. Her career journey reflects steady growth, adaptability, and a genuine love for developing others, with customer experience and team well-being always at the center of her leadership approach.
Throughout her tenure at Chewy, Nicole has led with heart, earning a reputation as a trusted mentor and advocate who elevates those around her. Colleagues consistently highlight her ability to balance detail-oriented execution with big-picture thinking, while creating environments where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Whether navigating change, improving quality processes, or leading specialty teams, Nicole brings consistency, transparency, and purpose to everything she does.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Nicole is deeply committed to service and impact. She is passionate about volunteerism across a wide range of causes, including animal welfare, mental health, education, equity, and humanitarian relief. She is also a children’s book author, creating resources designed to support independence and confidence for children, particularly those with autism. Across all areas of her life, Nicole’s work is guided by compassion, advocacy, and a belief that meaningful leadership leaves people—and communities—better than it found them.
• HR Foundations: Core Human Resources
• Navigating Employee Relations as an HR Professional
• CSCMP Supply Chain Foundations: The Essentials Professional Certificate
• Implementing Supply Chain Management
• Business Analysis: Essential Tools and Techniques
• Careers in Supply Chain and Operations
• Job Skills: Supply Chain and Operations
• Supply Chain Foundations: Managing the Process
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certification
• Broward College
• Global Leadership for Supply Chain
• Big Brothers and Sisters
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to adaptability, curiosity, and a people-first mindset. Starting in customer service and supply chain roles at Chewy taught me the importance of understanding the customer and designing systems that serve people with intention, and over time, mentoring others and building trust has become the heart of how I lead.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from a senior director who mentored me: he taught me to lead with trust first, believing in people until they give a reason not to. This approach transformed how I build relationships and support my direct reports, helping me foster stronger teams and meaningful connections.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to operate with integrity and stay connected to their “why”—the reason they pursue their work and show up each day. Your circumstances don’t define you; with passion, purpose, and determination, you can achieve anything, no matter the obstacles.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge—and opportunity—in my field right now is navigating the rise of AI in a way that balances innovation with humanity, using technology to enhance, not replace, human judgment, empathy, and ethical leadership.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in work and in life are integrity, consideration, courage, and compassion. I believe growth is collective—success isn’t just about individual achievement but about collaborating, supporting others, and recognizing the role every person plays in shaping who we become. I strive to move forward with courage, not allowing fear to dictate my choices, but letting clarity, intention, and trust guide my path.