What: Debbi Hartley-Triesch, who led Nordstrom’s beauty, accessories, and home divisions, is stepping down after a distinguished 35-year career, with her successor yet to be named.

Why it is important: Hartley-Triesch’s retirement underscores the need for strong leadership pipelines as retailers face industry-wide talent and innovation challenges.

Debbi Hartley-Triesch will retire from her role as Executive Vice President and General Merchandising Manager of Beauty at Nordstrom in September, concluding a remarkable 35-year tenure with the company. Rising from a beauty adviser in 1990 to overseeing the beauty, accessories, and home categories, Hartley-Triesch played a pivotal role in shaping Nordstrom’s merchandising strategy and culture. Her leadership was marked by the launch of the influential Beauty Trend Show and the introduction of high-growth brands, while she also prioritised mentoring future leaders within the organisation. The announcement of her departure comes as Nordstrom, like many department stores, navigates a period of strategic transformation and heightened competition. The company has yet to name her successor, highlighting the critical importance of succession planning and talent development in today’s retail environment. Hartley-Triesch’s legacy is reflected in the strong relationships she built across the industry and her lasting impact on Nordstrom’s people and customer experience.

IADS Notes:

Debbi Hartley-Triesch’s retirement mirrors a broader trend of leadership transitions at major department stores, as seen in recent executive changes at Saks Global and Holt Renfrew in June and July 2025. These shifts often mark the end of transformative eras and prompt renewed focus on operational priorities and cultural alignment. Research from McKinsey and BCG in 2025 emphasises that systematic leadership development and a healthy corporate culture are crucial for financial performance and employee engagement. Meanwhile, the luxury retail sector faces a talent pipeline crisis, with 60% of brands struggling to recruit frontline staff and 93% facing challenges at the managerial level, making robust succession planning and early talent development more vital than ever.

Nordstrom Executive Vice President and General Merchandising Manager of Beauty to retire