Some career journeys begin with a plan. Adam Treitler’s began with poetry. A graduate in poetry and film from Sarah Lawrence, he never imagined he’d end up in HR technology. But what guided him from creative arts into people analytics wasn’t a straight path. It was curiosity. “I didn’t come from a background in HR technology, nor connections,” he says. “So I just kept building relationships and following interesting problems.” Now, at the time of this story, leading People Technology for Pandora’s North America retail business, Adam is proof that the best pivots aren’t about escaping something. They’re about exploring what’s possible.​

What He Pivoted From
Adam’s early professional years were rooted in the entertainment industry. At Viacom (now Paramount), he worked his way up by solving problems others ignored—automating tasks, creating templates, and sharing solutions with peers. “People would see me walking around relaxed, donut in hand, while staying on top of work. So they asked how I was doing it.” That peer interest launched him into operations and analytics.

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He later joined Twitter, moving from a manager role back to senior analyst to pursue this exciting opportunity—but his tenure there was interrupted by organizational turmoil and layoffs. A brief stint in consulting followed. It paid the bills but left him wanting more. “I couldn’t not work,” he admits. “I’d saved money, but I had the itch to keep going. Still, working at a boutique for someone else wasn’t my niche.”

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Current Direction
His current role at Pandora marks a genuine pivot—not just between companies, but between industries, expectations, and scale. “I had zero retail experience,” he says. “But here I was, the only person in HR tech for North America.” Unlike his time at Twitter or Viacom, where he was part of massive, tech-heavy teams, Pandora offered something else: green space. With little technical infrastructure and few resources, Adam saw opportunity. “I realized that where there’s less structure, you can build new systems with more freedom. That excites me.”

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Adam isn’t only modernizing HR systems—he’s thinking like a systems architect, helping retail store associates gain better access to digital tools, championing accessibility, and working across departments. His view is big-picture: How do people, HRtech, and processes connect to business success?

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He’s thoughtful about his career trajectory and, while he emphasizes making the most of his current chapter at Pandora, he knows the future requires staying agile and adaptable: "I want to build something I'm proud of--and then see what's next."

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Advice to Others

• Be curious. Let your questions lead you. Don’t wait for a roadmap—go explore.

• Define problems clearly. Whatever the industry, focus on solving real pain points.

• Build strong relationships. Your network doesn’t have to be inherited—you can create it.

• Think across industries. Problems are often universal; opportunities are everywhere.

• Understand yourself. Do you thrive in big teams or agile environments? Choose accordingly.

• Stay grounded in purpose. If the work excites you and helps others, you’re on the right path.

Adam’s journey reflects a mindset that’s becoming increasingly vital in today’s world: agility fueled by purpose. He’s not chasing titles or tenure—he’s chasing learning, impact, and systems that work better for people. For those in the early stages of their careers, his story offers both inspiration and realism: it’s not about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to follow the questions.