Joan (Jo) Allen
Summary
Professional retail leader with 20+ years of leadership experience driving revenue growth, customer experience excellence, and talent development across flagship, high-volume, and complex retail environments. Proven ability to scale performance through hospitality-centered leadership, cross-market collaboration, and disciplined execution. Known for building inclusive cultures, developing leaders, and translating brand vision into exceptional customer and team experiences.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Store Leader
Apple Lincoln Park
06.2023 - Current
- Lead Apple Lincoln Park team of 140 employees to achieve 89M in total revenue in 2025.
- Grew Mac and iPad performance by 11% and 35% respectively in 2025.
- Promoted 4 leaders to various roles from Lead to Store Leader both within MT22 and beyond.
- Through strategic planning and partnership initiated 4 developmental leadership moves throughout Chicago Stores which facilitated improved Market performance as well as leadership development.
- Achieved highest team engagement score in Lincoln Park history, 72 PULSE, by creating a culture of recognition, accountability, and inclusion; which directly resulted in improved sales results and retention.
- Co-Chair for Familia@Apple West (encompassing four Market Teams) - guiding Leads (Manager-Store Leaders) in the execution of communication, activations for Community Pillar.
- Mentored 4 Store Leaders peers through Redwood efforts within MT22, MT1, and MT4.
- Built cross functional partnerships with Support Partners across Apple (Operations, Product Zone, Support, People) to improve sales readiness, customer flow, and in-store experiences.
Store Leader
Apple Old Orchard
11.2015 - 06.2023
- Led Old Orchard team of 120+ employees in revenue growth from 45M-65M+ in volume.
- Built strong culture of engagement and performance including growing NPP results to 85 top 5 in world in 2019.
- Successfully led NSO opening of Old Orchard in 2019 with excellent partner feedback while sustaining world class team and customer experiences.
- Won Most-improved Ovation Award in Q2 FY20 with a 14 point increase in Product Zone NPS year over year.
- Dual Store Leader Experience 2022: Supported Apple Woodfield for 5 month period with positive impact on People Strategies and Culture of Performance: Redwood Store.
- Lead Familia@Apple West: Led over 15+ activations across 3 different AMR West DNA Chapters to amplify the voices of our Latinx, Pride, and Women at Apple communities impacting more than 5k members.
Store Leader
Apple Deer Park
10.2013 - 11.2015
- Led Deer Park team of 90+ employees in revenue growth from 30M to 35M in volume.
- Led longest standing Training Store with NPS Score of 100 for 2 consecutive years.
- Sustained world class NPP results of 90+ engagement 2 years in a row.
- Supported Market initiatives in Operations and to achieve guidance in: Payroll, Scheduling, and Physical Inventory.
- Collaborated with Market Support in 3 Pilots with Global impact: Project Keating, Skyline, Scheduling Preferences
Senior Manager
Apple Store North Michigan Avenue, Main Place
01.2011 - 10.2013
- Led business continuity and performance during senior leadership transitions, maintaining sales momentum and team engagement
- Partnered on market-level initiatives across sales, operations, and customer support to improve execution and experience consistency
- Recruited, developed, and retained high-potential talent across sales and operational functions
Manager
Apple Store North Michigan Avenue
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Delivered hospitality-driven customer resolutions through creative, customer-first problem solving
- Led sales floor and merchandising execution during major remodels and transitions
- Built strong talent pipelines through recruiting, coaching, and development
Brand Delivery and Operations Manager /Store Manager
Victoria Secrets Chicago
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Multi-store leader accountable for sales performance, merchandising execution, and profit goals
- Leveraged reporting and insights to identify sales opportunities and improve merchandising effectiveness
- Developed teams through goal-setting, performance reviews, and coaching
Store Manager
Macy's Chicago / Detroit
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Led overall sales performance and customer experience for large-format retail stores
- Built vendor partnerships to drive sales growth and margin improvement
- Developed and retained leadership talent across multiple functions
Education
MBA - Strategic Management
Davenport University
BA - Interdisciplinary Studies
Michigan State University
Project Management Certificate - undefined
Google - Coursera
Skills
- Revenue Growth & Sales Strategy
- Customer Experience & Hospitality Excellence
- Market-Level Talent Development
- Multi-Store & High-Volume Leadership
- Inclusive Culture & Engagement
- Change Leadership & Business Transformation
- Spanish Fluency
Timeline
Store Leader
Apple Lincoln Park
06.2023 - Current
Store Leader
Apple Old Orchard
11.2015 - 06.2023
Store Leader
Apple Deer Park
10.2013 - 11.2015
Senior Manager
Apple Store North Michigan Avenue, Main Place
01.2011 - 10.2013
Manager
Apple Store North Michigan Avenue
01.2009 - 01.2011
Brand Delivery and Operations Manager /Store Manager
Victoria Secrets Chicago
01.2008 - 01.2009
Store Manager
Macy's Chicago / Detroit
01.2007 - 01.2008
BA - Interdisciplinary Studies
Michigan State University
Project Management Certificate - undefined
Google - Coursera
MBA - Strategic Management
Davenport University