Executive Spotlight: Mark Schindele of Target

Mark Schindele, ’92 BSB

Title

Executive Vice President and Chief Stores Officer at Target

Hometown

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hobbies

Anything outdoors… boating, fishing, pickleball, golf, biking, snowmobiling.

As a leader in retail, Mark Schindele, ’92 BSB, takes a people-centered approach to business.

That ethos also extends to his personal endeavors and how he has strived to make a difference in his community and at the Carlson School. Schindele shares his reflections on his career path and helping others:

How did your education from the Carlson School help shape your career?

The Carlson School opened career paths I never dreamed of growing up. I got my start right out of college in a management training program at Macy’s headquarters and never looked back. The Carlson School was a springboard for my career, giving me the foundation I needed to explore a variety of roles in retail that ultimately led me to merchandising.

You have been involved in several projects and initiatives involving diversity, equity, and inclusion. Why do you find these issues important to you personally?

I am a firm believer that we need diversity of thought and lived experiences in every aspect of society. My mother taught English as a Second Language courses and she taught us the importance of respecting and valuing differences. My wife is Filipino and we have two children, so I have a vested interest in ensuring the world is a place that offers them belonging and celebrates different cultures and backgrounds. At Target, it is important to me that our team reflects the communities we serve and that each team member feels they can bring their whole selves and their unique perspectives to work. I am really proud that I can extend my passion for this work at the Carlson School by serving on the [Board of Advisors] DEI subcommittee that helped stand up the Center for Inclusive Excellence and the hiring of Angela Spranger, the school’s first senior diversity officer.

What leadership principles do you live by?

Setting a vision and aligning the work of the team is essential for any leader. But, to me, a leader’s greatest impact is on the individuals you lead. You must listen and learn from your team, so you can figure out how to unlock greatness in each individual and remove roadblocks that might be getting in the way of them accomplishing their goals.