Ron Thurston
Author, Business Strategist, Coach, Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Podcast, Trainer
Ron Thurston is a two-time #1 bestselling author and bold voice in the movement to reimagine leadership in a world transformed by technology. His newest book, HUMAN PRIDE: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market (May 2025), offers a timely and empowering roadmap for standing out, staying relevant, and leading with impact in the future of work.
With over 30 years of executive experience at iconic brands like Apple, Gap, West Elm, Tory Burch, Bonobos, and Saint Laurent, Ron has built and led high-performing teams that deliver results through culture, clarity, and connection. His first book, Retail Pride, became a career-defining guide for thousands of professionals across the retail and service industries.
Ron is also the creator and host of the Retail in America tour and podcast—a year-long journey across 30 states in an Airstream to amplify the real stories of frontline excellence. He currently serves on advisory boards for retail tech innovators, including Ometria and YOOBIC, helping companies bridge the gap between digital transformation and human connection.
A sought-after keynote speaker, moderator, and facilitator, Ron brings energy, insight, and action to global conferences, C-suite offsites, and company-wide events. His core message resonates across industries: Your greatest competitive advantage is human.
Popular Programs
- HUMAN PRIDE: Leading with Impact in the Age of AI
- Your Greatest Potential™: Unlocking the Power of Frontline Leadership
- Retail Pride: Why the Future Belongs to Frontline Workers
- The Human Side of Digital Transformation
- Future of Work: Building People-First Strategies That Win
Professional Summary
Ron Thurston is a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience leading high-growth retail and service organizations. He is known for building results-driven teams through a unique blend of cultural intelligence, operational excellence, and human-centered leadership.
Ron has held senior roles at industry-defining brands including Apple, Gap, West Elm, and Saint Laurent, and now advises companies on bridging digital innovation with frontline empowerment.
Named one of the Top 100 Retail Experts globally for the past five years and a Top Retail Technology Influencer for the last four, Ron’s expertise in strategic execution, leadership development, and workforce transformation makes him a trusted partner for organizations navigating the future of work.
"Ron Thurston delivered a most memorable keynote session at our Sales Manager Conference. His message was clear, authentic, and deeply resonant. I still hear from leaders who point to Ron’s Retail Pride talk as a standout moment—an experience that left a lasting impression. He connected with our sales managers and executive team in a way that reminded us why we chose retail as a career: for the service, purpose, and people. Ron is a compelling speaker with a rare ability to inspire at scale. I strongly recommend him to any organization looking to energize and elevate their teams."
Areas of Expertise
- Accountability
- Achievement
- Artificial Intelligence / AI
- Attitude
- Author
- Business
- Business Consultant
- Business Strategy
- Change Management
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Company Culture
- Competitive Advantage
- Confidence
- Conflict Resolution
- Consultant
- Creativity
- Curriculum Development
- Customer Experience
- Customer Service
- Diversity Equity and Inclusion / DEI
- Emerging Leadership Development
- Emotional Intelligence / EQ
- Executive Presence
- Generations
- Goal Setting
- Goal Tracking and Dashboards
- Gratitude
- Innovation
- Keynote Speaker
- Leadership
- Life/work Balance
- Male Speakers
- Management
- Mindset
- Motivation and Inspiration
- Onboarding/Retention
- Peak Performance
- Personal Branding
- Personal Growth
- Podcast Host
- Project Management
- Recruitment/Talent Acquisition
- Resilience
- Retail
- Sales
- Sales Leadership
- Servant Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Succession Planning
- Team Building
- Women in Business
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