Team @ Peloton
Celebrating our Veterans@Peloton
Written by our Veterans@Peloton
“Go with it, run with it, and see what happens.”
That’s how Carli Hall describes her role as an Associate Brand Manager at Peloton, where she focuses on retail and showroom marketing. “Everything I do helps us figure out how we can create awareness for our showroom and drive traffic to them.” Carli, who is based in Detroit, Michigan, sits on the Brand team and works very closely with retail.
She’s a veteran in retail management, most recently working with high-end fashion brands before joining Peloton in September 2016 as a Showroom Manager. Since then, Carli has moved from working on a showroom floor to bringing to life unbeatable experiences for current and prospective Peloton Members.
“Events and local marketing were always something I was very interested in and were a big part of my role when I started as a Showroom Manager at Peloton. I thought it would just be an extra thing I did as part of my role to drive business. But it turned into my full time role and I’ve learned so much and experienced a ton of growth in the way I work.”
Having always worked in brick-and-mortar retail environments, Carli says her first two years as a Brand Manager were an adjustment. “I’d never had a ‘desk job.’ I didn't have a team of people that worked for me or peers that I worked with, so figuring out how to work outside a store setting was a challenge, but has been really exciting because it's such a pivot.”
One of Peloton’s core values is “Empower Teams of Smart Creatives”, and feeling that sentiment made the experience of pivoting easier. Even though she had spent her career working on retail floors, Carli says she seldom felt allowed to draw in her own customers. That changed when she came to Peloton. “We had a lot of freedom to figure out how we are going to make business happen and not just sit and wait for it to come to us, which was very empowering. That sense of freedom and autonomy to find creative solutions is still one of my favorite parts of what I do every day.”
Every day, Carli comes up with new ways to build upon the excitement that draws Members into Peloton showrooms. “What we’re building within retail marketing is new and different, and we're always trying to figure out the next thing or the best new way to do it. How can we make it better than we've done it in the past? Go with it, run with it, and see what happens.”
Floyd Hopson - Associate Program Manager, Enterprise Systems
Picking up speed: How Carli grew her career
Heather Bunn - Inventory Control/Materials Manager, Peloton Commercial

Carli’s trajectory within Peloton changed in 2018 when the company conducted a summerlong initiative called The Grassroots Tour. The initiative included a trailer, outfitted to look like a furnished apartment complete with Peloton Bikes, traveling to locations across the country where Peloton did not yet have a physical presence. Retail team members staffed each stop on the tour, and Carli got the opportunity to work the Aspen stop.
She immediately felt inspired. With the Grassroots Tour already being an incredible initiative, she wondered how she might be able to use her retail and staffing expertise to enhance the experience on future tours. “So when I learned we were doing it again the following year, I thought, ‘Oh, I want to be a part of this.’” She raised her hand and the Marketing team gave her that opportunity.
The changes made to run the mobile apartment like a retail store included bringing in a manager, establishing sales goals, and having clear staffing schedules and breaks—just like any other retail location. Carli’s design worked so well that she - along with three other Peloton team members - traveled to London to help train the staff that would run the launch of Peloton House, a Convent Garden immersive pop-up event, in Fall 2018.
Leaders at the company couldn’t help but notice her bias for action, and the decision to create a new role that would oversee the growth of this retail marketing opportunity was made. Carli was invited to interview for the position of Associate Brand Manager, Retail, and she landed the job.
Christina Antonio - Business Systems Specialist, Operations

The creative life of a Peloton Brand Manager
Killian Pender - Manager, Member Support Forecasting & Planning, Member Support

My time served in the Army has made me into what I am today. What that means to me - I have gained an acute perspective on life: don't sweat the small stuff, it is nearly all small stuff. I believe that the Army is a great place to learn how to develop effective routines. The Army does a great job of breaking down social barriers. We are placed on a team comprised of people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. Divisions melt away when we're serving together as a team. As a result, I formed my greatest relationships while serving. I believe the Army was a major part of my life exactly when it needed to be, and I hope to utilize the gifts the Army has given me for the rest of my life.
Korey Smith - Assistant Showroom Manager, Retail

My military background consisted of 4 years (2009-2013) in the United States Marine Corps. During my time, my most notable billets (position of employment) held were Classified Material Control Center Clerk and Executive Assistant to Base/Unit Commander. I was stationed in numerous places in the U.S., while also spending time overseas on the Island of Guam.
My time spent in the service influenced my behaviors both personally and professionally. I'm sure I won't be alone in saying that self-discipline and accountability are the two most noticeable behaviors that I attribute to my service experience, as they are often the most common characteristics for any service member and are shaped by the nature of the job. These traits stick with us long after we have served and can be applied to all aspects of life, including here at Peloton. Regardless of our role, veterans will be self-motivated, responsible, dependable, and diligent as we accomplish every task as if it were our mission.
With working previously in platoons and units, we understand the importance of building trust among each other to establish stronger connections and ensure we are mission ready and successful. As a leader in my showroom, I have carried this over to Peloton when tasked with leading my team to sales goals and establishing a trusting culture and environment here in our store.
Michael Landen - FO Team Lead, Field Operations

I was in the Marine Corps for 7 years and in that time I earned the rank of E-5, Sergeant. The service has influenced my conviction as I am always striving to do what's right, even when it may appear that no one is watching. The experience helped me understand the importance of myself accountable, the same way I hold others accountable. I believe you cannot ask someone to do something that you are unwilling to do yourself. It is essential to be in the middle of the work that needs to be done.
Andrew Pierson - Program Manager, Supply Chain

I joined the Air Force in 2012 and spent eight years in the Special Warfare and Combat Control communities. My time in the service focused on enabling airpower to access some of the most remote corners of the world. I thoroughly enjoyed spending the later portion of my service years training the next generation how to solve complex and high-stakes national defense problems.
My time in the Air Force instilled in me a bias for action and shaped my appreciation for how small teams can be empowered to drive larger institutions toward a common vision. As Peloton continues its growth journey, these lessons are proving more and more valuable.
Alexander Greif - Country Manager - Final Mile, Germany, Field Operations

As part of the former compulsory military service in Germany, I had the chance to be trained as a paratrooper squad leader in the Bavarian alps. This by no means compares to any real-world deployment along with the bonds that are forged in life threatening situations, but it did show me the power of trust and camaraderie in teams, as well as the impact of clear communication and structure. There are few environments in life where you would have similar external uncertainty combined with the necessity of quick and determined decision making and I have the highest respect and esteem for anyone who has served. The leadership lessons you learn in a military environment can’t be taught in business school.
Justin Blommer - Mechanical Engineer, Hardware Engineering

I was an Infantry Squad Leader in the Marine Corps. I held additional roles as a Water Survival Instructor, Fast-Rope and Rappelling Rigger, and Combat Marksmanship Instructor.
On a personal level, I'd say the most significant impact my military service had on my character was discipline. This is a trait that is learned through experience—we aren't born with it. Discipline is crucial and is a critical component in many facets of my life, from physical fitness and healthy eating to work, relationships, and investing.
Professionally, my time in the Marines taught me humility and the importance of being part of a team and mission that is greater than myself. As a squad leader, a big part of my job was putting the lives and safety of others before my own. Although the engineering world is a drastically different environment, the drive to work harder to help my fellow teammates and our members remains.
Brian Schafer - Director, Security Automation & Tooling, Information Security, IT Operations (ITO)

I served in the US Navy as a Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman between 1992 and 1999.
After completing boot camp in San Diego, I attended Hospital Corps training at Naval Station Medical Center San Diego (Balboa Hospital). My first duty station was Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, assigned to the Edison Range satellite clinic, working with Marine Corps recruits. In 1995, I completed Field Medical training and was reassigned to 1st Marine Division, with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines where I deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Force to the Persian Gulf.
I am proud to have served in the military and I'm grateful for the experience. Without a doubt, these were formative years and the struggles and opportunities are what forged a "won't quit" mindset and a strong work ethic.
Ian Dodd - Director Global Application Operations, Ent Tech Employee Experience

I served 9 years in the Royal Air Force as a Telecommunications Engineer. I specialized in Cryptography and secure communications equipment in support of intelligence gathering and forward operations teams. I served throughout the world during my service, supporting operations in Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, Somalia, Angola, Belize, and Northern Island.
Personally, serving brought many experiences—both good and bad. I learned the effect conflict has on humans and the devastation it can cause, but I also experienced the unification of communities after the release from oppression . Teamwork, being your best self, and having a bias for action is as true now as it was then. I feel privileged to be able to bring a positive impact on others lives and work with some of the most brilliant, committed, compassionate colleagues. I will strive to positively impact those I come in contact with personally and professionally for the rest of my life.
Professionally, it taught me to seek out the highest bar in integrity, team commitment, and values that relate to my own. Teamwork is vital, however without free thinking and understanding the ability of each individual and the positive contributions each member can make, it is not a team, rather a collection of uncommitted individual players.
Never compromise your values or integrity, take the time to understand how your values apply positively to the organization’s mission, and remember that others might have a different point of view and values, shaped by their own experiences.
Rick Fresse - Field Operations, Field Specialist 3

I served in the United States Air Force as a Security Force Officer. During my time, I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and did a deployment tour in Iraq. Thanks to my time in the USAF, I have seen immense growth in my leadership skills and ability to work within a team. To this day, I implement these skills with any personal or professional task. I was fortunate to travel during my service and was able to gain experience within different lifestyles and cultures depending on my surroundings, which has opened my mind to different beliefs or views on things in life. No matter what I aim to achieve, I will forever carry the USAF core values which are Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all that we do.