Santia Deck Shifts to Advisory Role at Tronus, the Black Women-Owned Sneaker Brand

Tronus, the Black women-owned sneaker brand founded by mother-and-daughter duo Cynthia Cureton-Robles and Santia Deck, has announced a strategic leadership transition.

Cureton-Robles, who is the brand’s current chief operating officer, has assumed the role of chief executive officer.

Deck, who is now the former CEO, has transitioned into an advisory role. This new move, the brand explained in a statement, will allow Deck to strengthen her focus on her women’s sports platform, “Winning Her Way,” which was created with a focus of empowering female athletes globally.

The brand, which has a strong focus on athlete recovery solutions, was founded on Juneteenth in 2020 and launched a month later. Having Deck behind Tronus helped bring extra eyes to the startup. She is a multisport professional athlete, which included a stint playing football for the Los Angeles Fames in the Women’s Football League Association. Deck — a fitness influencer who is widely referred to as “Queen of Abs” —  also has a massive social media presence.

Now under the sole leadership of Cureton-Robles, Tronus reaffirmed its commitment to providing athletes with the best recovery footwear in a statement, and said its mission will continue to extend “beyond physical products to creating a supportive community tailored to athletes’ unique needs.”

“Our focus is on empowering athletes through superior recovery solutions and fostering a safe, supportive community,” Tronus said in a statement. “From youth to professionals, we aim to guide athletes in building their social media platforms and personal brands, ensuring a smooth transition into business ventures post-retirement from their beloved sports.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.