Paying It Forward

This year’s record class of Top Women in Convenience honorees illustrates how the industry is evolving to better recognize and cultivate female talent

A Convenience Store News Staff Report

In 2014, Convenience Store News launched the Top Women in Convenience (TWIC) awards program with 30 honorees. In the ensuing years, the program grew and grew to reach a total of more than 400 TWIC honorees last year. Now, in its ninth year, the 2022 TWIC program inducts its largest class yet — more than triple the honorees of that inaugural year. This year’s record class of Top Women in Convenience winners — which brings the total number of program honorees to more than 500 — illustrates how the convenience store industry has evolved, and continues to evolve, to better recognize and cultivate female talent.

Not only are companies across the industry more focused on diversity, equity and inclusion than ever before, but there’s also a growing movement happening around mentorship. Women supporting women to reach their goals, and then go ever farther.

TWIC is the first and only c-store industry program that spotlights the integral role women play in convenience retailing and celebrates individuals across retailer, distributor and supplier businesses for outstanding contributions to their companies and the industry at large.

Honorees are recognized in four categories:

Women of the Year: Retailer, supplier and wholesaler executives of any rank who have had an exceptional impact on the success or direction of their company, as well as a positive impact on the convenience store industry as a whole. These visionaries have steered their companies into new markets, new opportunities, and strong measurable growth.

Senior-Level Leaders: Retailer, supplier and wholesaler executives at the level of director or vice president and above who have executed on a strategy and transformed their business in a positive manner.

Rising Stars: Retailer, supplier and wholesaler professionals with job titles from store manager to just below vice president who are making their mark on the industry, even at early stages of their careers.

Mentors: Retailer, supplier and wholesaler professionals of any rank who have made an extraordinary effort, and had an exceptional impact, on the careers of their colleagues.

Chosen based on nominations received from their peers illustrating accomplishments during the previous 12 months, the 2022 TWIC class is comprised of five Women of the Year, 36 Senior-Level Leaders, 40 Rising Stars, and 10 Mentors. Judging was conducted by the CSNews team in partnership with the 2022 Top Women in Convenience Advisory Board.

All of the 2022 TWIC winners will be publicly feted for their achievements. The ninth-annual TWIC Awards Gala is scheduled to be held Oct. 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Renaissance Las Vegas, against the backdrop of the 2022 NACS Show.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Holly Angell

Senior Vice President of Construction, Engineering & Facilities 7-Eleven Inc.

AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT of construction, engineering and facilities for the world’s largest convenience store retailer, Holly Angell’s role is to strategize and execute the modernization of 7-Eleven Inc.’s more than 12,000 brick-and-mortar customer experiences.

“We have several exciting initiatives underway as part of our strategy to transform the customer experience across the 7-Eleven network of stores,” Angell told Convenience Store News. “We are expanding 7-Eleven’s electric vehicle charging capabilities, identifying prime geographic expansion areas, while delivering convenient charging options to customers.”

The company is also looking at new ways to bring proprietary restaurants like Laredo Taco Co. into its locations to “enhance the customer experience in a profitable way,” and Angell is working to fundamentally change how maintenance services are delivered to the stores to improve total cost of ownership and equipment uptime.

“For me, the c-store industry is all about the customer experience and how we surprise and delight our customers in a convenient way,” the 2022 TWIC Woman of the Year said, noting that it is her favorite part of the industry. “I love that we get to provide unexpected and fun treats for customers, how and when they want it — including through online and delivery now — so there is always something new.” With a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Boise State University, Angell has always had a career in the retail world, holding positions with Albertson’s, Cole’s Supermarkets (one of the largest retailers in Australia), Southeastern Grocers, and Dairy Farm Holdings. She joined 7-Eleven in 2019.

In her role, Angell has been an integral part of 7-Eleven’s integration of Speedway locations following their acquisition, including installing LEDs in the stores to contribute to the company’s overall CO2 reduction goal. During the early days of the acquisition, when COVID-19 was preventing nonessential work travel, she made sure she did virtual meet-and-greets with every new person on her team from Speedway.

“I am extremely proud of our work transforming how we provide maintenance to our network of stores, applying best practices from our Speedway integration to 7-Eleven stores,” she said. “We now employ our own technicians to provide maintenance services, helping operators receive better maintenance services at reduced costs and with more visibility to store needs. This program is also creating career opportunities and growth paths for over a thousand technicians, which is wonderful to be a part of.”

Angell is very active in mentoring others at 7-Eleven, and created a mentor program for her team members that has served as a model for others in the company. Having had both female and male mentors who worked with her throughout her career, she understands the importance and feels a responsibility to “pay that gift forward.” It’s actually her favorite part of her job.

“I love giving that opportunity to grow and succeed to others,” she explained. “I actively mentor several people at different levels of the organization, and I provide coaching to multiple individuals throughout the company, as well as women in other industries. Within my team, I make sure all my direct reports have development plans, and we actively manage those plans together to ensure everyone is involved in career development.”

Angell’s advice to fellow women in the c-store industry is to start leading by putting themselves first. She believes there will always be challenging times and those are the ones that require self-care the most in order to successfully take care of a team and family.

“How are you taking care of yourself? Your mind, your body and your soul? How are you managing your fundamentals, so you can be the best leader for your team?” she posed.

CLASS OF 2022CLASS OF 2022

PRESENTED BY CONVENIENCE STORE NEWS PRESENTED BY CONVENIENCE STORE NEWS

WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Allison Cornish

Vice President of Store Modernization Pilot Co.

SINCE ALLISON CORNISH’S first job out of college in the pricebook department of Pilot Co., she has worked for the retailer in a variety of roles over the years, and currently serves as vice president of store modernization. She leads the design and execution of store improvement initiatives alongside Pilot’s construction and development team.

“I’m overseeing a $1 billion project called New Horizons, which will fully remodel more than 400 of our travel centers over the next three years to make the experience even better for our team members and guests,” she told CSNews, noting that phase one of the initiative is fully remodeling approximately 50 Pilot and Flying J travel centers and making upgrades to several more locations by the end of this year. “It’s a huge task and the fact that I’m entrusted with a project of this scale is truly humbling.”

In addition to working with multiple teams across the business to identify locations to be remodeled, changes to be made and when construction will begin, Cornish also takes into account feedback from Pilot team members and customers, including some she collects directly from the source. “I spend a lot of time traveling the country to visit our travel centers and talk to people, so I can get firsthand knowledge of where and how we can make the biggest impact with every store we remodel,” she explained. Cornish makes decisions each day that impact the company’s more than 28,000 team members and 1.5 million daily customers. One small change can have a massive impact, she noted.

“The best feeling is visiting a travel center that has completed its remodel and hearing our team members and guests express their excitement for how it’s made their day better,” Cornish said. “I also thoroughly enjoy coaching, mentoring and helping team members grow in their role. Building the leaders of tomorrow is rewarding and important.”

She believes women should support other women, and works as a mentor to help other women in the company “see the value in themselves.” She often gives advice that she finds helpful as well. “Sometimes, my role is to push people outside their comfort zone to pursue and take jobs that make them uncomfortable or maybe have aspects they don’t know much about. That’s when you grow,” Cornish said.

In fact, her advice to fellow women in the industry, and in business overall, is to step outside their comfort zones and be open to taking on new challenges. Although growth can feel uncomfortable at first, she said “with determination, patience and willingness to listen and learn, you’ll be successful.”

Having worked in the convenience channel for more than 20 years now, Cornish has seen the role of women in the c-store industry change and grow, especially when it comes to leadership and management opportunities. When she was promoted to region manager in 2007, she was only the third woman to ever serve in that type of position within the company.

“I am now one of several women at Pilot Co. in leadership roles, and continue to see more women interested in joining the c-store industry,” she said.

“Building the leaders of tomorrow is rewarding and important.”

WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Danielle Holloway

Senior Director of Industry Engagement Altria Group Distribution Co.

PHILLIP MORRIS USA recruited Danielle Holloway during her junior year of college at Syracuse University. She started working with the Richmond, Va.-based company as an intern that summer, and upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1999, she became the territory sales manager responsible for 125 stores in Bergen County, N.J.

Over the years, Holloway continued to grow in field-level roles, and eventually made the jump to working in corporate roles. She currently serves as senior director of industry engagement for Altria Group Distribution Co. (AGDC), where she manages a team of 15 people.

“I attend industry events, host customer events, participate in industry committees and boards, and monitor regulatory legislative grassroots initiatives in my role,” Holloway told CSNews. “Some of the things I’m working on now are regulatory grassroots advocacy on the FDA’s comment period for flavors in cigarettes and cigars, planning for next quarter events, employee resource group awareness efforts, supporting electronic age verification, and associate and committee work.”

Holloway is actively involved in a number of c-store industry associations and women’s groups, including the CSNews Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board, NextUp (formerly Network of Executive Women), NACS, National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Convenience Distribution Association, Society of Gas Marketers Association, and Energy Marketers Association.

“Service back to the industry is both important and fun,” she said. “It is where relationships are built and where the work gets done — a way to earn your voice.”

Last year, Holloway helped launch AGDC’s “Stronger Together” campaign, aimed at finding a way to involve its trade partners and encourage the industry overall to take action to drive inclusion, diversity and equity in the retail and wholesale markets.

Additionally, she was a founding creator of Phillip Morris’ internal employee resource group focused on women in sales, which has been active for the past 10 years. “This offers women and men opportunities to learn and lead to drive a better culture for the company,” she explained. “This employee resource group delivers content, events [and] learning opportunities to develop male and female leaders in Altria Group Distribution Co. to drive our culture and success.”

Her role in the Women in Sales employee resource group is one of the things Holloway is most proud of in her career and, more importantly “pushing the entire industry to lean in on diversity and inclusion.” She feels it’s a privilege to be the face of the group in her current role.

Holloway’s favorite thing about the c-store industry is the people. She loves attending industry events because of the time she gets to spend with others and engage, while tackling problems together. She says the best part of her job is the variety and challenge presented each day.

“Some days, I get to travel and others I am in the office, which could be at home, at our headquarters or up in Washington, D.C., at the Government Affairs Office. Not only is my team amazing to work with, but I get to interact with a lot of different people every day, and I am always facing different problems to solve,” she said.

Having been in the industry for more than 20 years, she has seen the role of women evolve to being not only realized, but also valued. However, she believes there is still room for growth.

“We are not always the only woman in the room anymore, and are often joined by other diverse voices, but unfortunately, we are still being ‘counted,’” Holloway said. “I look forward to the time when that isn’t necessary. And my advice to women is to focus on your network because your connections to people is how everything gets done.”

WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Julie Jackson

President G&M Oil Co.

AFTER GRADUATING from California State University with a degree in business administration and an emphasis on accounting, Julie Jackson went to work for KPMG before moving to CKE Restaurants (Carl’s Jr.) where she held positions as a financial analyst and auditor. In 1995, she entered the convenience store industry working for ARCO in its internal audit department. When BP purchased the company, she eventually became a corporate officer/vice president.

In 2013, Jackson joined G&M Oil Co. as senior vice president and general manager, and although she left for a few years to work at United Pacific as its president, she is now back at G&M Oil, leading the Huntington Beach, Calif.-based operator of 160 stores in southern and northern California. As president, she has full operational and financial responsibility for the company and is in charge of three brands: Chevron, G&M and ExtraMile stores.

“I’m responsible for all aspects of the business, including strategy, operations, IT, finance and accounting, human resources, legal, real estate, construction, maintenance, environmental, marketing, and more,” the 2022 TWIC Woman of the Year told CSNews. “I never know where the day will lead, but it’s always challenging and interesting. My favorite part of the job is that no day is ever the same. There is always a new event, challenge, or something new to learn.” Jackson enjoys challenging her team to come up with solutions for the obstacles the company is facing because the creativity they present often “blows her away,” she said.

Currently, she is working on growth opportunities, alternative energy options, and retail IT systems. She is focused on making sure G&M Oil is set up for the future.

“I am getting my arms around our retail IT systems and making sure the company is positioned for future growth and flexibility as things are changing so fast and the industry as a whole is behind other retailers,” she explained. “It’s an exciting time to be in the industry, and my favorite part of it is the people; there are so many great people making the stores and the industry run.”

Outside of her company, Jackson is involved in the industry as a member of NACS, and she’s also been involved with Conexxus developing webinars and resources. Working with NACS, she has hosted several congressional visits to walk members of Congress through G&M’s stores. She is a member of the California Fuels and Convenience Alliance as well.

“Typically, congressmen are very surprised at the complexity of our business, the challenges we face, and all the costs associated with it,” Jackson noted.

According to her nominator, Jackson has a track record of demonstrated success and is “a real visionary who has had an exceptional impact on the people who worked with and around her, the companies for which she has worked, and the industry as a whole.”

Looking back on her career so far, Jackson says she is proud of her work ethic, honesty, dedication, and the careers of others she has helped develop over the years.

“My advice for women is to be resilient and be present with what you are doing,” she said. “Be your authentic self — there is no one else like you. Your path is not easily defined and won’t be a straight line because there is no ‘right way’ to have a successful career. Place emotional intelligence and trust high on your list of valued attributes.”

“Be your authentic self — there is no one else like you.”

WOMAN OF THE YEAR: Colette Matthews

Global Vice President of Customer Experience Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

WORKING FOR consumer packaged goods companies, including Procter & Gamble, Newell Brands and Whirlpool Corp., Colette Matthews often worked closely with the store and retail teams associated with them. This prepared her for her role at Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.’s Circle K brand where she now holds the position of global vice president of customer experience.

“I work to empower the organization with enabling capabilities, best practices and underlying infrastructure to deliver a consistent, winning and desirable customer experience,” she said.

Matthews is responsible for customer insights and customer care; digital experiences, including creating a new, innovative website and mobile app experience, and maintaining those digital channels; payment, including the cost of credit card acceptance and building out the company’s ability to accept new digital payment solutions; its digital media network, such as monetizing the company-owned digital screens; and omnichannel and e-commerce, enabling customers to order ahead and pick up in-store or have their goods delivered.

She also has contributed to the development of a number of awardwinning strategic initiatives by Circle K, including Pay-by-Plate, Sip-and-Save, Fresh Food Fast, car wash subscription, self-checkout, and the brand’s developing loyalty program. “Right now, I’m developing a robust Voice of the Customer program that captures customer feedback across the entire customer journey, and launching a new mobile app globally,” she noted. “I’m also reimaging the Circle K website strategy, and piloting mobile ordering and delivery, which requires we work with third-party lastmile delivery partners, such as DoorDash and Instacart.”

While she has only been in the c-store industry since two months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Matthews so far is most proud of achieving best-in-class customer engagement scores, which she attributes to her passion for people, her team and colleagues, and the establishment of the Voice of the Customer program and the new Circle K mobile app — which was developed in-house for the first time.

She enjoys spending time with customers, listening to them and learning about their needs. Her favorite aspect of working in the c-store industry is how it touches lives across the globe, including a variety of ages, professions, demographics and interests.

“C-stores are a reflection of the world,” she said. “Almost every adult across the globe has experienced and/or depended on a c-store to fuel up, recharge with food, quench their thirst, help them out of a bind when an instance arises, or boost their day with a small indulgence or treat. I am proud of the service we provide, so people’s lives are made just a little easier.”

Since she’s joined Couche-Tard, Matthews has seen more women moving into leadership positions within the company. Her advice for fellow women in the industry is to invest in themselves and others, and to actively pursue growth.

“Never make yourself little,” she said. “Be courageous. Breathe, and have fun living. Collectively, these things will help you navigate any situation — professional or personal.”

“I am proud of the service we provide, so people’s lives are made just a little easier.”

SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS

Annie Alabaugh

Division Vice President

Casey’s General Stores Inc.

• At the Ankeny, Iowa-based retailer, Alabaugh oversees operations for 600 Casey’s convenience stores. The position allows her to do what she loves: serve and lead people.

• Her professional journey with Casey’s began in 2000 in her hometown of Clinton, Ind., and from there, she’s played different roles as an operator, including store manager, supervisor, and regional director. She has been in her current role since November 2021. Over her tenure, she’s opened nearly 40 new stores.

• Alabaugh has been identified as a Casey’s ambassador to help onboard regional directors and division directors and help them understand Casey’s culture. Recently, she was chosen to be a part of Casey’s first-ever, months-long leadership course provided by its learning and development team.

Gwen Andrews

Director — US Convenience, Northeast

The Hershey Co.

• As a 24-year Hershey veteran, Andrews has experience across multiple channels/ functions, including five years driving strategy and planning for the convenience channel. In her current role, she leads a team of nine customer sales executives responsible for retailers and distributors throughout the Northeast.

• She is involved in many home office work streams that help set up the future around innovation, pack sizes, merchandising, and programs. She has also led several large customer collaboration sessions in Hershey’s Global Customer Insights Center and Mobile Customer Insights Center.

• Andrews is the convenience channel lead for new hire training, working cross-functionally to facilitate the training. She is a mentor across the Hershey organization.

Trish Bay

Senior Director, Trade Marketing, Phoenix Region

Reynolds Marketing Services Co.

• Bay has had the opportunity to work in multiple roles across Reynolds over the last 12 years. As senior director, she is responsible for managing and leading a high-performing trade marketing and activation team of 104 individuals across five states.

• Her Phoenix Region team manages the relationships and programs in more than 8,500 convenience-gas and non-traditional retail outlets, delivering $780 million in annual net revenue. Her team works collaboratively to elevate and activate the market in unique ways to deliver the company’s Better Tomorrow Strategy at retail.

• Bay graduated from the NACS Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University, the Reynolds Leadership Development Experience, and the BAT Women in Leadership Program. She believes there are three qualities of an effective leader: being passionate, accountable and inspirational.

Elizabeth Benson

Director of Innovation & Process Improvement

Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop

• Benson has worked at Maverik for more than six years, where she leads strategic direction for cross-functional process improvement initiatives. Her leadership has resulted in savings of more than $10 million in excess costs and reduced time spent on activities across Maverik’s operating footprint of nearly 400 stores in 12 western states.

• A data-driven professional with an eye for spotting waste and redundancy, Benson is a seasoned professional who has focused on a myriad of process improvement activities for various organizations. She spearheads initiatives under Maverik’s strategic program called MAPS (Maverik Activities and Process Standardization).

• Benson chairs a multi-departmental team of directors for Maverik that works to address various “hot topic” current challenges with the company.

SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS

Marla Benson

Senior Channel Operations Manager

Mars Wrigley

• A nearly four-decade company veteran, Benson joined Mars Wrigley’s convenience business in 2011. She owns the overall operational management of the channel, is responsible for continuous improvement of the Retailer Advisory Board, and drives strategy for the Performance Rewards Program.

• Benson is a key cross-functional partner who is involved in many project teams, including sales annual planning and giving input into the forecasting process for supply and various other brand and operational activities. She is referred to as “the glue” of the team.

• A passionate mentor for new and current associates, Benson is always looking to help support the growth and development of others. Her biggest advice is to be authentic.

Sandie Bower

Director of Operations

7-Eleven Inc.

• As director of operations for 7-Eleven’s Great MidAtlantic Zone, Bower has a track record of developing future leaders through her passion for creating high-executing teams. Her “it-can-be-done” attitude and willingness to be courageous help ensure that her teams have what they need to execute every day.

• In her 13-year career with 7-Eleven, Bower has mentored individuals throughout the organization, and led several work groups to improve processes and tools. Her high-energy, problemsolving approach empowers everyone around her to succeed.

• In September 2021, Bower received a servant leadership award from 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto for her work in helping stores and franchisees with supply chain struggles. Outside of 7-Eleven, she is actively involved with NextUp, a nonprofit devoted to advancing women in business.

Capri Brixey

Vice President, Customer Leadership

The Coca-Cola Co.

• Brixey has been with The Coca-Cola Co. for three years. As vice president of customer leadership, she leads small-format teams in the central United States. Her responsibilities include leading collaborative and joint business planning processes directly with multiple top 10 convenience retailers in the U.S.

• During her career, she has had the opportunity to gain extensive experience in the consumer product goods industry across multiple channels, formats and manufacturers, including time spent as a retailer and vendor/supplier.

• Brixey’s passion for food and leadership extends to her work in community service. In North Carolina, she worked with organizations related to food insecurity and the local food ecosystem. Now in Kentucky, she’s involved with the Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky.

Brigid Brown

Director of Financial Reporting & Services

Thorntons LLC

• Brown has held leadership roles in finance and accounting during her 29 years with Thorntons. Currently, she leads the accounting and finance teams, working in partnership with executive leadership, the board of directors, operations, transportation, store support, and information technology. She is the “go-to team member” in finance for special projects.

• She serves as treasurer and a member of the board of directors for Champ Cares, a 501(c)(3) team member assistance fund at Thorntons.

• According to Brown, good leaders have self-awareness and know their strengths and areas of opportunity for growth in both technical and people skills. Good leaders communicate effectively among all members of the organization and stakeholders, and recognize contributions and achievements in a meaningful and timely way.

SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS

Chelsea Carvalho

Senior District Manager

Beck Suppliers

• Carvalho is a fourth-generation family business member at Beck Suppliers. She started her career there in 2018 working in different areas of the company’s retail division, FriendShip Stores. As senior district manager, she manages her six-store district plus the team of district managers over all 29 FriendShip Stores locations.

• She learned the business from the ground up by working at the store level, leading foodservice initiatives, and then working as a district manager. Now, Carvalho oversees the direction of the FriendShip Stores retail division under the mentorship of the vice president of retail operations.

• Carvalho points to humility, setting an example and problem-solving skills as the key attributes of a successful leader.

Brandi Cushman

Director of Purchasing

C.N. Brown Co.

• Cushman began her career at C.N. Brown in 1994 in retail operations, auditing locations’ daily paperwork. She moved into IT two years later, and was then promoted to tobacco category manager in 2002. She assumed her current role in 2018.

• Her responsibilities include leading and managing the purchasing and merchandising departments, determining Big Apple’s brand vision and the supporting strategies to achieve divisional sales and margin objectives, and developing category strategies.

• Honored as a Top Women in Convenience Rising Star in 2016, Cushman is a problem solver who thinks outside the box and has an open-door policy for new ideas, concerns and opinions. She is also a strong voice in local and state legislative issues impacting the convenience channel.

Gina Clemente

Senior Director, Operations Services & Transformation

GetGo Café & Market

• Clemente joined the organization in 2005 as a part-time cashier. She quickly rose to the position of district leader, and then regional business leader, before being named senior director of operations in 2020. During that time, she was instrumental in harmonizing GetGo’s acquisition of Ricker Oil Co. In February 2022, Clemente moved into her current role to lead the future strategy and forward growth of GetGo.

• She’s spearheaded work to evolve GetGo’s team member value proposition to support retention, drive applicant flow, and increase the talent pipeline. She also supported the creation of a new platform to attract talent, and worked to provide wage increases, enhanced benefits and tailored policies to better fit the needs of team members.

• Prior to GetGo, Clemente worked in store management for other convenience retailers. She was also a nuclear, biological and chemical specialist in the United States Army.

Magda Delattre

Senior Manager of Insights & Analytics

Sheetz Inc.

• Delattre is responsible for driving data-driven decisions by utilizing data analytics and customer insights to provide recommendations for addressing customer needs and staying ahead of the competition, while maintaining Sheetz’s Total Customer Focus promise.

• She leads three teams that cover the analytic and research needs of the marketing and brand departments. Her analysis oversight includes pricing, loyalty, category, promotion, and merchandising. Her insights team completes quantitative and qualitative research studies to understand customer views on their experiences with Sheetz.

• In her five-year tenure at Sheetz, Delattre has led the corporate strategic initiative to bring the company’s customer feedback into a robust Voice of Customer Platform.

SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS

Sherryn Diamond

Director of Foodservice

High’s

• As she guides the strategy of High’s foodservice offering, Diamond and her team are responsible for all aspects of the High’s Kitchen offering, which features craveable food using local favorites provided by small family-owned suppliers.

• Her responsibilities include menu development, foodservice category management, equipment purchasing, standard operating procedure development, marketing and merchandising food and beverage, training, and new store design.

• Diamond works with manufacturers, suppliers, advertising and store-level team members to roll out new programs that support High’s journey to become a foodservice destination. Recognized by NACS in its Ideas to Go program, High’s has increased its fresh food and foodservice sales fivefold in just a few years.

Kristina Fisher

Restaurant Division Director

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

• Fisher brings more than 25 years of experience in the food industry to her role at Couche-Tard. She leads the overall business operations of more than 220 global restaurants, with proprietary brands across eight states, five business units, and a full span of approximately 1,500 team members.

• Her primary responsibility is to develop the company’s restaurant strategy for North America. In her role, she also partners with the real estate division to look at the new-to-industry stores and raze-and-rebuilds to determine the best food options for them.

• Fisher was recently one of 25 participants selected for the company’s Global Leadership Forum, which is designed to help leaders grow into the next steps of their careers.

Melanie Disney

Director of Human Resources

Weigel’s Stores Inc.

• Disney joined Weigel’s in 2018 to run its human resources department and has been instrumental in changing the culture and talent at the retailer. Known as a natural leader in the company, she seeks to consistently challenge thinking, while helping employees grow both personally and professionally.

• She has helped fill all projected roles with highperforming individuals who will help drive Weigel’s forward. Disney is also restructuring the company’s employee onboarding, training and recognition programs.

• An advocate for people with disabilities, Disney is growing the company’s partnership with nonprofit organizations that provide job coaching for those with disabilities. She was an instrumental player in Weigel’s winning the employer of the year award with Goodwill Industries three years ago.

Jessica Flaten

Director of Marketing

ITG Brands

• Flaten’s primary area of focus is driving blu vapor performance by leading the brand strategy and marketing operations within the United States. She is responsible for managing highly collaborative teams within a global matrix, where she has successfully leveraged new structures and processes to streamline communications and efficiencies.

• She is one of the few women directors in the business. She reports to the executive vice president of marketing, and has a team of senior brand managers and brand managers/project managers reporting to her.

• Flaten has more than 15 years of marketing experience in highly regulated consumer product goods, including alcohol, traditional combustibles, and mass market cigars.

SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS

Sherri Fleming-Ramler

Senior Director of Sales & Operations, Midwest Region

Murphy USA Inc.

• Fleming’s love of the fast-paced retail industry began when she was 17. She’s taken every opportunity to grow and develop her leadership skills, advancing her career to her current role as senior director of sales and operations for Murphy USA’s Midwest region.

• Today, she leads the execution of operational best practices and process improvements throughout the retailer’s Midwest region by leveraging relevant key performance indicators to optimize top- and bottom-line results.

• Through Fleming’s leadership in implementing Murphy USA’s LEAD program, 16 store managers have been promoted to district managers since the program’s inception in 2019. She also implemented the company’s Exit Interview Program, designed to provide field personnel with input on how to better serve field employees to improve retention.

Carey Haubenschild

Senior Marketing Manager, Convenience

The Boston Beer Co.

• Haubenschild leads overall brand strategy for the convenience channel, specifically on Truly and Twisted Tea. She is responsible for leading the development of shopper marketing programs, shopper media and national partnerships to support the channel.

• She oversees a large budget on both the Truly and Twisted Tea brand teams and ensures those dollars are working as hard as possible for The Boston Beer Co. Her expertise is utilized nationally as she is the “go-to for all things convenience strategy” at the company.

• Haubenschild’s love affair with c-stores began soon after college when she worked at a beer/ non-alcohol beverage wholesaler in a range of sales leadership positions. Working on the manufacturer side for 15 years offered her the ability to learn and grow alongside some of the best individuals in the industry.

Sri Gouri

Director of Commercial Sales Insights

PepsiCo Inc.

• Gouri joined PepsiCo in 2018, bringing 15 years of experience in retail and consumer packaged goods and an MBA from Rice University. She was promoted to director of category leadership in October 2019. This March, she was promoted again to director of commercial sales insights, supporting PepsiCo’s total portfolio at Sam’s Club.

• As director of category leadership, she was tasked with leading PepsiCo’s strategy across total portfolio at 7-Eleven Inc., and the Frito-Lay business at Circle K. In addition, she was responsible for leading a team of five category management professionals.

• In 2021, Gouri earned the Leadership Award from PepsiCo’s Demand Accelerator Category Leadership Team. In 2020, she and her team were recognized with the MVP Award from the PepsiCo Beverages North America team during the national sales meeting.

Angelica Krott

Vice President of Technology

StrasGlobal

• Krott is responsible for managing all things digital at StrasGlobal. This includes networking, hosting, hardware and websites/ SaaS applications management, including its award-winning Compliance Safe product. She also implemented an online ordering and delivery program for the company’s stores within three months, and devised and created StrasNet, an online platform to communicate with stores and track their performance.

• She is responsible for training and supporting all StrasGlobal employees on the use of software and hardware. She has conducted “lunch and learn” sessions to train and ramp up team skills, helping the company improve its efficiency and productivity.

• Krott’s knowledge and experience allowed StrasGlobal to implement a robust digital COVID-19 pandemic response. She quickly rolled

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out a mass communications system for stores and developed a PowerBI feedback funnel to monitor employee morale and the impact of COVID-19 by county.

Ali Marciano

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Core-Mark International

• Marciano is responsible for workforce planning, recruitment and talent management, performance management, company culture/engagement, and vertical and horizontal integration of Core-Mark and Eby-Brown into Performance Food Group’s convenience segment. She has delivered significant cost-savings initiatives — the company is on track to save nearly $1 million by the end of 2023 in human resources spend alone.

• In 2021, she spearheaded diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the United States and Canada surrounding milestone history and heritage month events. She also secured funding to roll out unconscious bias manager training to more than 400 leaders.

• Prior to joining Core-Mark in 2020 as the human resources director for the company’s East Region, Marciano was the head of people operations, people business partner, and the mergers and acquisitions people deal lead at Ericsson.

Sheila Merrigan

Senior Director of Regional Operations, Alpine Region

Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop

• Merrigan has more than 30 years of experience in the convenience store industry. She joined Maverik in 2016 and is responsible for 85 locations and eight districts.

• Her role encompasses leading and serving in-store team members; coaching, career and leadership development; providing unforgettable service to the retailer’s customers; collaborating with Maverik’s Base Camp corporate headquarters; finding innovative solutions to deliver better customer service and job efficiency; and keeping Maverik’s culture front and center in the operations teams. • Merrigan serves on many teams at Maverik to improve operations, including serving as chair of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) team. She spearheaded a strategic initiative to revamp cash control policies, contributing to significant cash control and reporting improvements. The SOP team also focused on redesigning processes to exceed expectations in foodservice safety and store cleanliness.

Kendra Meyer

Vice President, Real Estate Casey’s General Stores Inc.

• Meyer joined Casey’s in 2017 and leads all of the retailer’s real estate management functions. She has five direct reports and seven indirect reports.

• As vice president of real estate, Meyer plans, directs and executes on Casey’s strategic growth plan, including site identification, evaluation and negotiation of real estate for the expansion of new store locations. Her team also manages the divestiture of operational and closed stores, along with all leasing aspects across the company’s 16-state footprint.

• At 34 years old, Meyer is one of the youngest vice presidents at Casey’s and has been promoted twice since joining the organization. In 2021, she received a Future Leader in Convenience award from Convenience Store News, and attended the NACS Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University.

Jamie Miller

Executive Director of Marketing

RaceTrac Inc.

• Miller joined RaceTrac in 2020 and is responsible for all marketing strategy and implementation, including brand, promotions, creative, internal and external communications, partnerships and vendor marketing, insights and analytics, and marketing technology such as its app and the RaceTrac Rewards loyalty program.

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Analytics and Insights Team and bolstered the department’s MarTech and Digital teams, culminated by a prioritized multiyear frictionless and loyalty roadmap rooted in guest and market insights.

• In addition to her marketing efforts, Miller serves as an advocate for RaceTrac’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, participating in event panels and volunteering to help coordinate events. She also serves as the chair of LEAD, RaceTrac’s business resource group dedicated to the advancement of women in business.

Kristine Modugno

Director of Category Management

Nouria Energy

• Modugno leads Nouria’s merchandising division, inclusive of category management, store merchandising, foodservice, and pricebook programs and teams. She is responsible for all financial metrics, including profitability, budgeting, planning, execution, profit and loss initiatives, as well as ensuring all sales and budget targets are met each period.

• As Nouria’s private brand champion, Modugno utilizes her years of experience to grow My Nouria, Café Nouria and Nouria’s Kitchen into thriving brands that offer great quality products at an exceptional value. Most recently, she led the expansion of My Nouria into freshly packaged baked goods.

• She is an accomplished, innovative and passionate executive with more than 25 years of experience in retail. Prior to joining Nouria, she led BJ’s Wholesale Club’s private brands, taking them from development to billion-dollar brands.

Barbara Nova

Senior Director — Food, Beverage & Retail Programs

Dash In Food Stores

• Nova leads the category management team for all store categories, emphasizing foodservice innovation and growth. She is responsible for supply chain procurement, vendor relationships, creating planograms, maximizing category margins, building Dash In’s proprietary foodservice programs, and managing the pricebook team.

• According to her nominator, every level of the organization looks to Nova for counsel, direction and advice based on her experience and expertise, and the company itself seeks her thoughts and advice on community service activities and campaigns to improve lives in the communities it serves.

• Nova has implemented changes and made hires that helped produce results upwards of 15 percent growth in four consecutive years. Her nominator credits her as contributing to a “meteoric rise” in sales since she joined the company.

Jackie Palmer

Division President, McLane Mid-Atlantic

McLane Co. Inc.

• Palmer leads a distribution center of 670 warehouse and transportation and senior leaders, while implementing and following company and division strategic initiatives. She establishes and oversees capital expenditures and investments, evaluates division programs, captures statistical trends, forecasts sales/units, and enforces productivity improvements.

• During her career with McLane, Palmer has supported and led teams in five divisions to success. Achievements included the highest customer satisfaction rating in order quality and on-time delivery; top sales; the highest-rated food safety audit; and the highest division retention and expense management/budget attainment.

• Palmer views her role as ensuring that she and her team provide McLane customers with excellent service, and she credits her team for inspiring her to be the best leader she can be. Outside of McLane, she serves as the board of directors’ vice chair for Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, where she volunteers her time to those in need.

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Suzy Peel

Head of Real Estate, Western U.S.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

• As the first-ever female leader to head up real estate development at CoucheTard, Peel shattered glass ceilings and became a role model to women across the organization. Her nominator says that when she isn’t building stores, she is building relationships and serving as a strong advocate for her team.

• Peel spends most of her days in the field where she evaluates sites for possible new builds, while mentoring, advising and advocating for her teams. Known for being sharp, smart and driven, she takes a systematic approach to decision-making and effectively communicates with cross-functional teams, including the executive investment committee.

• She aligns teams to strategically focus efforts on high-growth markets to allow for stores’ longterm success and to achieve Couche-Tard’s Double Again strategy, which seeks to double net earnings by 2023.

Kimberly Ross

West Area Vice President

ITG Brands

• Ross leads a field sales team of more than 300 people and is highly motivated in driving top-tier sales and volume growth. She is responsible for driving best-in-class retail execution, building strategic customer partnerships, and delivering key insights and solutions to maximize sales for ITG Brands.

• She supported the largest sales transformation in ITG Brands history, which involved reframing its position with customers, expanding its sales force, and improving the diversity of the organization. She is leading the recruitment effort to expand the sales force by more than 200 employees, and is heading up the new coaching and development process of more than 900 sales reps in the field.

• Known as a champion for a diverse and inclusive culture, Ross is the executive sponsor for the women’s business employee resource group. She considers it important that the company’s high-performing and diverse talent always reflects the consumer base.

Rachel Pickett

Assistant General Counsel

Murphy USA Inc.

• Pickett advises all departments within Murphy USA and has successfully contributed to several high-impact initiatives, including the company’s acquisition and integration of QuickChek Corp.; further development of its environmental, social and governance program; and management of its COVID19 compliance.

• She also has oversight of Murphy USA’s contracts management program and serves as a key advisor to its sales and operations and human resources functions. According to her nominator, Pickett is viewed not only as an attorney, but also a valued thought partner who approaches issues with an open mind and is adept at finding workable solutions for internal clients in difficult situations.

• Outside of work, Pickett serves on the board of directors for HOPE Landing, an organization that provides therapeutic and support services to children with disabilities.

Vareesha Shariff

Product Director, Fresh Foods

7-Eleven Inc.

• Shariff coordinates a cross-functional team of merchandising, marketing, operations, procurement, and logistics professionals who continuously develop and launch transformational fresh food programs for 7-Eleven’s stores.

• During her 13 years with 7-Eleven, she has continually been promoted to positions of increasing responsibility based on her expert team leadership, analytical and change management skills, and ability to deliver outstanding business results. She has received the Excellent Execution for Business Transformation honor three times.

• According to her nominator, Shariff’s sphere of influence includes her ability to positively influence people and culture. As an inspired leader who truly cares for her team, she’s built a culture of mentorship, growth and development that has

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resulted in numerous team members moving into higher leadership roles as a direct result of the support and guidance she provides.

Misty Skipper

Vice President of Merchandising, Marketing & External Affairs

GATE Petroleum Co.

• Skipper oversees retail category management, pricing and inventory management, public relations, marketing and communications, government affairs, and the company’s internal distribution center. Her decisions directly impact the profitability of GATE Petroleum’s 72 convenience stores.

• Under her leadership, the company’s merchandising team is responsible for 80 percent of all store merchandise sales. She also oversees the GATE Cross Dock team, which services 50 stores in the greater Jacksonville area. In 2021, Skipper led efforts to launch the retailer’s first-ever loyalty program, My GATE Rewards.

• According to her direct reports, Skipper makes every team member feel respected and valued, empowers them to make informed decisions while offering support when course correction is needed, and fosters camaraderie and collaboration.

Jean Terminiello

Senior Director, Americas — Convenience & Away From Home

Glanbia Performance Nutrition

• A CPG veteran with more than 20 years of senior leadership experience, Terminiello worked with her team to pioneer the expansion of Optimum Nutrition Amin.O Energy Sparkling and think! high-protein snacks across c-stores nationwide.

• Known for being an entrepreneur at heart who has brought Glanbia brands to market through best-inindustry retail programming and customer relationships, she oversaw the creation of the GPN First Center of Excellence. She also built a world-class immediate consumption distribution network and a national account team dedicated to joint business planning with retailers, resulting in category captainships and impressive growth in the nutrition performance market.

• Terminiello is a member of Glanbia’s Network of Women and serves as a mentor within the organization. She’s earned awards for her support of company values, and recognition as the top female mentor and performance coach for colleagues at all levels.

Michele Truelove

Vice President of Operations

High’s

• Truelove started at High’s as a store manager in 2008 and has since risen through the ranks with a heavy focus on store operations and efficiencies. In her current role, she implemented and rolled out High’s mystery shop program and its use of the Zenput platform.

• According to her nominator, Truelove has embraced High’s people-first culture, with an emphasis on future-focused store designs. She spearheaded the company’s strategic direction to improve employee engagement, took part in succession planning and career path development for associates and managers, and led efforts to communicate, pivot and maintain business at all locations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Truelove is driven as a mentor for both corporate and site-level employees and consistently focuses on making day-to-day operations the best they can be for her team. She’s been recognized by High’s for her teamwork and contributions to company objectives.

Paula Weeks

Director of Industry Affairs

The Coca-Cola Co.

• Weeks develops and advances executive-level relationships with customers, industry associations and external business partners; brings CocaCola’s value proposition to life; and leverages and maximizes partnerships, education and advocacy opportunities.

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• According to her nominator, Weeks’ impactful work has allowed for opportunities that extend her influence globally, and she has consulted on multiple industry events that benefit from her extensive knowledge of the convenience channel. Additionally, her diverse career, which includes roles with Delta Air Lines, Reebok and Nestle, offers her a unique scope that enables her to excel at communications and marketing.

• Outside of her work at Coca-Cola, she serves on the National Restaurant Association Show board of directors, and is a board member of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education and the Governor’s Honors Program Steering Committee, among other roles.

Jessica Wright

Senior Director, Experiential Marketing

Reynolds American Inc.

• Wright works with a team of internal and external partners to develop and execute oneto-one consumer experiential marketing initiatives in service of building brand preference, loyalty and affinity across Reynolds’ product portfolio. Her responsibilities include overseeing a significant national budget and ensuring that all IPA programming is on-strategy, on-brand, on-budget, and advances both consumer and business metrics.

• Under her leadership, the experiential team and their partners are projected to engage with more than 1.2 million adult nicotine consumers in 2022, with almost all engagements linked directly to a unit sold. As the face of Reynolds’ product portfolio, Wright’s team of brand ambassadors are helping to drive positive business outcomes for both the company and its c-store partners.

• Wright is a past recipient of the Reynolds American Leadership Team Award for her contributions to driving record Newport volume and value share gains that led to one of the strongest performance years in Newport’s history. She serves as both an official and unofficial mentor to other brand markets within Reynolds.

Katerina Bakunina

Senior Manager, Strategic Accounts

PDI

• Bakunina manages the team supporting the Fuel Rewards program and its configuration in the PDI loyalty host and app for 12,500 Shell sites across the United States. She also supports the 360 Convenience program at 1,800-plus sites, and other in-store offers at 1,900 locations.

• Her Shell corporate team has referred to Bakunina as the glue that holds it together. She is known for her positive energy, attention to detail, hunger for knowledge, and belief that a commitment to continuous learning is the key to solving future problems.

• Dedicated to both customer care and process improvement, Bakunina has been promoted three times in five years since joining PDI. She’s led the charge to automate several processes, and has been recognized for proactively putting processes and scorecards in place to quickly resolve operational issues.

Michelle Barnett

Retail Zone Leader

Kwik Trip Inc.

• A 24-year Kwik Trip veteran, Barnett is responsible for the successful operation and financial performance of 125 stores, with more than 5,000 direct reports. This fall, she will add two stores in Michigan, spearheading Kwik Trip’s entry into the state.

• Barnett oversees the hiring, training and professional development of district leaders, store leaders and assistant store leaders, and serves on the shelf tag and price change committees for the entire company. She is also actively involved in companywide improvements to Kwik Trip’s performance appraisal system.

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• Barnett is a multiple-time winner of the annual Kwik Chase competition, which is based on store and district performance in sales and guest service. She also has a proven track record of developing leaders within the company.

Megan Binkley

Store Manager

Rutter’s

• Since joining Rutter’s 11 years ago, Binkley has steadily assumed more responsibility and excelled at every position she has attained. She is known as an excellent role model for store employees, as she continues to meet everyday challenges head-on.

• In her current role, she effectively manages the operation of a high-volume Rutter’s convenience store by planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and leading others to maximize profitability and achieve company goals.

• Binkley is a member of Rutter’s Advisory Board. She has received numerous internal company awards, including Rutter’s Team Member of the Year in 2016, and finalist for Store Manager of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Katie Bondy

Senior National Account Manager

McLane Co. Inc.

• Bondy is responsible for managing all aspects of product distribution through McLane for Circle K Great Lakes. One of her most recent projects involved rolling out and monitoring the progress of the foodservice program for Circle K stores, which required her to offset supply chain challenges and find creative solutions for product outages.

• During her time with McLane, she has spearheaded numerous special projects and implemented processes that have streamlined information flow and product execution for the entire Circle K team. She’s also conducted research and begun the process of developing a comprehensive sales training program. • Bondy is well-known as a mentor and team leader who works hard to develop other managers and encourages employees and teammates to engage in training opportunities and seek out paths for personal growth.

Stephanie Bruns

Senior Commercial Marketing Manager

Heineken USA

• Bruns develops all national marketing programs for the convenience channel, including full digital strategy development, customer specific activations, e-commerce, customer app activity, and creation of Heineken’s full suite of point-of-sale materials.

• Her accomplishments include using digital gamification on retailer technology and customerfocused efforts, in turn driving increased foot traffic and total sales, as well as growing total business and basket size for the company’s retail partners.

• Bruns is known as a passionate marketer who thrives on exceeding customer expectations and driving best-in-class results. According to her nominator, she is not only the most respected trade/commercial marketing manager at Heineken USA, but also a go-to person within the industry for ideas and promotional creation.

Julie Burke

District Manager

Casey’s General Stores Inc.

• Burke oversees the care, performance and profitability of 11 Casey’s stores and assists in executing strategic initiatives, driving sales, and maintaining quality and service standards.

• She has been influencing the success of the Region Model Market since 2020 and currently places within the top 20 percent of Casey’s Performance Matrix. She regularly takes on additional responsibilities within the region, and is seen as a valuable resource for her people and a leader among her peers.

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• In addition to her role at Casey’s, Burke is a student at Iowa Central Community College, where she is pursuing a degree in business management. She also has a passion for helping those struggling with addiction and spends much of her free time traveling to provide support to those in need.

Mckenzie Coleman

Senior Manager of Retail Solutions & E-commerce

RaceTrac Inc.

• As a leader in the merchandising department, Coleman is responsible for ensuring that retail technology and data are meeting the needs of the business, while also leading the e-commerce sales strategy to drive incremental revenue for RaceTrac.

• According to her nominator, she is always willing to dive into a business problem headfirst and figure out a solution from the ground up. Her passion to find the best possible solutions pushes everyone in the department to collaborate to make it happen.

• During her time with RaceTrac, Coleman has worked her way up through the ranks, first as an individual contributor and now as a trusted leader of others. She is actively involved in RaceTrac’s business resource group, LEAD, which supports women with self-development, so they can confidently trust in their own abilities, capacities and judgments.

Maria Esquer

Division Manager Alta Convenience

• Esquer supervises multiple territories and stores in southern Colorado. Over her 15 years with Alta Convenience, she has worked across many different aspects of the company, contributing to her depth of experience and knowledge of the industry.

• She is a multiple-time winner of Manager of the Month and Manager of the Quarter awards, and has mentored store managers who later received the same awards. According to her nominator, she has a firm but fair management style that results in respect from her peers and all who work for her.

• As division manager, Esquer took a difficult area and turned it into a model division that now serves as the company benchmark. Alta Convenience considers her to be a top performer in all aspects of her position.

Elaine Jacobs

Senior Store Leader GetGo Café & Market

• Jacobs leads all aspects of store operations and people leadership at her store, which has annual inside sales of $4.6 million, including $1.2 million of fresh food sales. She serves as the master trainer for her region, impacting many leaders as they onboard to new roles.

• In addition to her usual responsibilities, she is often called upon to pilot and test new initiatives at her store. She is a multiyear winner of the company’s internal Pilot Award due to her willingness to take part in these programs.

• Jacobs has a passion for developing her own team members and others, often going out of her way to help them tackle and solve tough business problems. She serves on the company’s Store Leadership Council.

Erin Kohne

Director, Global Military Sales

Anheuser-Busch

• Kohne provides sales direction, program execution and overall account management, while leading a team that spans the country and the globe. She is responsible for total account sales, budget, and international logistics.

• According to her nominator, Kohne’s work has brought significant improvements to the vendormanaged inventory process, positively impacting the company’s overall military business and delivering channel growth despite pandemic and logistics challenges.

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• She is dedicated to driving growth for AnheuserBusch’s military retail partners, while delivering excitement, value and a taste of home to U.S. troops stationed overseas and here in the United States. Kohne is a multiple-time recipient of the selective and challenging AB Hi5 and Revolution awards.

Toral Kothari

Senior Director of Sales, PBNA

PepsiCo Inc.

• As the leader of retail sales in the Metro Atlantic region, Kothari manages $1.5 billion in revenue across six high-growth states. She plays a major role in creating the division’s long-term strategy in order to achieve the company’s overall growth objectives.

• Kothari is known for having a great command on business and a focus on spending considerable time keeping up on industry trends to help support her many customer wins.

• She recently won the Harvey C. Russell Award, PepsiCo’s most prestigious award, for her work on Stop Asian Hate. She also supports numerous female empowerment groups such as NextUp, has co-chaired PepsiCo’s Women of Color employee resource group (ERG), and currently co-chairs the PepsiCo Asian Network ERG.

Kelsey Leighton

Central Operations Specialist

GetGo Café & Market

• Leighton has direct influence over all 270-plus GetGo locations and has guided stores through the ins and outs of every aspect of the company’s fresh business, from new equipment rollouts to fresh inventory management.

• She also manages the company’s leadership training content. This includes creating team member methods for other departments within GetGo headquarters and overseeing every step from the time of hire to graduation from training.

• Since joining GetGo in 2010 as a part-time team member, Leighton has been continually promoted. She is heavily involved in GE Proud, the company’s LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group, as well as its Women’s Business Resource Group.

Sarah Kovac

Director of Architecture & Engineering

Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop

• Kovac oversees store and site design for Maverik’s nearly 400 locations across 12 states. She is also responsible for the internal architecture, engineering and entitlements teams, focused on providing schematic designs, construction documentation, construction administration, and entitling new store sites in support of the company’s aggressive growth strategy.

• In 2021, Kovac’s team spearheaded a comprehensive design across 27 new-build stores, one rebuild and 34 remodels, an achievement that was made possible by her strategic and seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams across Maverik. • According to her nominator, she is a highly effective leader who recognizes the strengths of her team members, listens to their input, supports their endeavors, and is able to merge good advice from others with her own experience to create the best solutions.

Jennifer Lestochi

Prepared Foods Category Leader

Sheetz Inc.

• Lestochi oversees the ready-to-eat hot and cold food and bakery segments for Sheetz. She contributes to long-term strategic work elevating the multimillion-dollar, revenue-driving segments while running day-to-day tasks that include product selection and placement, pricing, promotional work, and internal product development through the Sheetz commissary.

• According to her nominator, Lestochi’s influence is vast across the organization. She is known as a subject matter expert who is always the first person contacted when there is a question or concern regarding prepared foods or bakery.

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• With a background in food science and flavor application, Lestochi has used her knowledge, expertise, drive and commitment to make major contributions to Sheetz’s food and beverage programs. She has received multiple company awards.

Kim Lippert

Director, Acquisition Integration

Casey’s General Stores Inc.

• Lippert leads all aspects of acquisition integration for Casey’s, overseeing the integration of more than 200 stores over the past year. During acquisitions, she coordinates business functions such as store operations, merchandising, marketing, finance, IT, and more.

• Since joining Casey’s in 1993 as a doughnut maker, Lippert has held multiple leadership roles and served at every level of operations as she’s steadily advanced into higher positions. In her current role, she recently oversaw a $580 million, 95-store acquisition.

• According to her nominator, Lippert brings deep experience in operations, strong interpersonal skills and servant leadership to her role, and has proven herself to be the ideal leader in the acquisitions process.

Sara Martindale

Sales Director, PBNA

PepsiCo Inc.

• Martindale joined PepsiCo 12 years ago and today is the 7-Eleven director of sales for Gatorade, energy drinks, juice, water, and protein drinks. She oversees space management, promotions and financial planning for leading brands such as Gatorade, Rockstar Energy, Tropicana, Aquafina, LifeWtr, and Muscle Milk.

• Previously, Martindale served on the Tropicana Juice team at the time of the business’ transition from a distributor to a DSD. She leveraged new chilled delivery technology to convert more than 70 percent of the 7-Eleven business. • Martindale has received multiple accolades for her work at PBNA, including sales leadership awards. As a PepsiCo NextUp lead, she is a champion of developing female leaders within PepsiCo. Through the sales associate onboarding/recruiting program, she actively recruits at Texas A&M, seeking new strong female talent.

Erin Matosziuk

Director of Talent Development

Sheetz Inc.

• Reporting to the vice president of human resources, Matosziuk is accountable for a team of more than 50 professionals that oversee three significant talent areas for Sheetz: workforce training, leadership development and talent management.

• She has been instrumental in several significant strategic initiatives to improve the training, development and performance of Sheetz’s workforce, including the companywide implementation of STRIVE, a performance management process. Prior to joining Sheetz in 2011, she served as an HR specialist and held various management roles in the hospitality industry.

• Matosziuk is co-leader of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (I.D.E.A.) initiative, which is part of Sheetz’s corporate strategy. She also helped launch the company’s first-ever Women’s Leadership Program, which will see its third cohort this year.

Melody McCarthy

Marketing Manager

Enmarket

• McCarthy joined the Enmarket team in 2017 as social media and content coordinator before being promoted to her current position in 2019. Over her tenure, she has helped design, launch and market the retailer’s Enjoy Rewards loyalty program, the Enmarket mobile app, and enPay, its proprietary payment card.

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• In February, McCarthy led a successful “Win Back” campaign in which she created targeted promotions driven by Paytronix artificial intelligence (AI) to win back lapsed customers with personalized, one-to-one offers through the Enjoy Rewards program. Going forward, she plans to expand the use of Paytronix AI to increase customers’ basket sizes and encourage new purchases they wouldn’t otherwise make.

• McCarthy serves on a steering committee at Enmarket to help vet and mold new ideas and corporate initiatives. She is also the lead for all corporate events.

Caylin McCombs

National Accounts Director

ITG Brands

• McCombs leads three national account managers, driving sales performance and strategic initiatives for national account customers, and is directly responsible for ITG Brands’ largest national chain customer. Over the past two years, she earned category captaincy, drove more than 41,000 new points of distribution for ITG Brands, and created sustainable volume growth across category segments.

• She also worked cross-functionally to implement the FMC Assortment Optimization Project and MMC Strategic Promotion Design, both new test-andlearn programs that were lifted and shifted to other national account customers.

• McCombs is a strong believer in speaking up to drive change, mentorship programs to cultivate internal talent, and leading by example. She is a steering committee member for the company’s Women’s Business Employee Resource Group, and participates in talent recruitment.

Alexandra McGuire

Senior Account Manager

Altria Group Distribution Co.

• McGuire began her career with Altria 10 years ago and has held several field sales force positions within the company. She spent the last four years in various HQ roles, including leading the company’s underage access prevention efforts at retail. McGuire currently serves as a senior account manager calling on Wawa Inc., where she influences and develops solutions for the retailer’s tobacco category.

• She played a critical role in leading the launch of Altria’s Age Validation Technology initiative, which included establishing the company’s sponsorship of TruAge, a digital solution from NACS that enhances current age-verification systems and protects user privacy.

• McGuire is a board member of the University of Florida-Philadelphia Area Chapter Alumni, where she chairs an annual golf tournament to raise money for scholarships.

Erica Murray

Director of Operations Programs, Technology & Planning

Thorntons LLC

• Murray joined Thorntons seven years ago, starting as a store general manager. Today, she leads a team of six and oversees the development of store operations processes, initiatives, strategic goals, objectives and technology enhancements to drive operational efficiency. She also influences and supports strategic objectives of the Operational Engineering and Training Teams, along with managing the Operations Project Management Team.

• In 2021, Murray was instrumental in Thorntons’ transition to a new enterprise resource planning system and served on The Twenty, a cross-functional task force responsible for taking employee feedback and making recommendations to the board of directors and executive staff on creating good jobs across the organization.

• She is co-chair of Thorntons’ DEI&I Committee and has a passion for paving the way for future women leaders to thrive, as well as driving equity and inclusion.

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Ann Myint

Category Specialist

ExtraMile Convenience Stores

• Myint has extensive experience in the retail industry, ranging from in-store positions at drugstores to corporate merchandising in convenience. She joined Chevron prior to the ExtraMile joint venture, serving in a variety of roles supporting all categories in the store, with a focus on tobacco.

• In her current position, she supports the tobacco and supply chain category manager in ongoing business-building tasks across 1,000-plus ExtraMile stores in more than seven states. These tasks include the intricacies of tobacco pricing, buydowns, promotions, loyalty deals, and more.

• Myint is the go-to individual on her team for troubleshooting, advice, training and support across her peer group. According to ExtraMile President Paul Casadont, “Ann’s attention to detail, passion for merchandising, positive attitude and ability to deliver results provide a tremendous benefit to ExtraMile.”

Kellye Ogle

Director, Procurement

Murphy USA Inc.

• Ogle began her career at Murphy USA in 2013 as senior buyer and quickly transitioned into various management roles leading up to her recent promotion to director. Her 20 years of procurement experience consists not only of her time with the convenience retailer, but also with state agencies and government contractors.

• Working cross-functionally with other departments, Ogle oversees vendor management, supply chain risk management, data analysis, contract negotiations, and business relationships with internal and external customers.

• Through her leadership, influence and conscientious stewardship, she and her team of eight achieved 12.4 percent cost savings in 2021. She is also lauded for driving a successful integration with QuickChek, refining processes and creating synergistic savings.

Karylann Oxley

COCO Business Consultant

Chevron USA Inc.

• Oxley is responsible for more than 180 employees across company-owned, company-operated (COCO) Chevron stations. She serves as a mentor to her retail employees, actively working with them to achieve success in their current roles and advance into other career opportunities.

• She was responsible for congruently launching the MyADP human resources information system and TalentReef recruiting platform for Chevron’s retail employee network. Her project management leadership was recognized with the Measurable Value Award for her work on these projects, which drove IT solutions, streamlined processes, and saved manual labor across COCO.

• In the community, Oxley supported the SOMA District in San Francisco by working closely with nonprofit groups in the city’s Department of Public Works and police departments to ensure safeguards were in place at the highest CAP index station in COCO.

Dea Pennington

Senior Manager, External Communications

7-Eleven Inc.

• Pennington oversees public relations, reputational crisis management, and executive visibility/ thought leadership for 7-Eleven, Speedway, Stripes, Laredo Taco Co., and Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits.

• In July 2021, she was promoted to her current position, assuming full responsibility of external communications, while also stepping in to manage video production. One of her accomplishments last year was planning and executing 7-Eleven’s first-ever Tentpole Event Activation. Known as Gamer’s Paradise, the program won a 2022 PRovoke Media SABRE North America Award for best experiential publicity stunt.

• Pennington has also supported the company’s digital transformation, including major initiatives such as mobile checkout expansion, alcohol and

RISING STARS

autonomous delivery partnerships, and cashierless store innovation. Additionally, she’s supported 7-Eleven’s unprecedented store growth, including the addition of Evolution Stores, Laredo Taco Co. and Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits restaurants, and several acquisitions.

Kelly Rand

Director, IT Strategy & Change Management

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

• A seasoned change management professional with 15 years of experience, Rand joined Couche-Tard in 2020 and is responsible for the effective adoption of technology across the retailer’s global network of 15,000 sites and 125,000 employees.

• She is an integral member of the team that helps ensure that customer tech programs, such as loyalty and self-checkout, and employee tech programs, such as task management and time scheduling, are set up for success through clear roles, proactive communication, field change readiness, and training.

• Prior to joining Couche-Tard, Rand spent 10 years at McDonald’s Corp. in various change leadership roles, influencing major programs such as the company’s first mobile app, digital menuboards, back-office upgrades, and restaurant improvements.

Ashley Ray

Senior Director, People Support

Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop

• Ray’s level of responsibility has grown at a rapid pace during her 16-plus years with Maverik. She started as a benefits coordinator in a two-person department and has been instrumental in shaping the direction of human resources initiatives as the function has grown to more than 36 team members.

• In her current position, Ray leads the HR Operations Team along with the HR business partners, who provide support to Maverik’s nearly 7,200 team members across 385-plus stores operating in 12 western states. • Ray has been identified as an internal Maverik mentor, and is co-chair of Limitless, Maverik’s employee resource group that focuses on diversity, inclusion and leadership development efforts. She is a multiple winner of the retailer’s coveted Defender of the Legend award, where recipients are nominated and selected by operations leaders.

Jenny Rinehart

Director of Digital Marketing & Personalization

Casey’s General Stores Inc.

• Rinehart has been with Casey’s for more than a decade, starting her career in advertising. She joined the Digital Experience Team at the start of Casey’s digital transformation in 2018. As director of digital marketing and personalization, she is now a member of the Digital Leadership Team.

• She led Casey’s personalization expansion strategy, implementing a customer data platform (CDP) and made progress in mass personalization as the retailer shifted from curation toward segmentation and individualization. In the past year, Rinehart led the launch of Casey’s Salesforce CDP, helped grow Casey’s Rewards to more than 5 million members, and drove data unification and design across teams and products.

• Rinehart recently completed Casey’s Leader Excellence Program, an internal program designed to support mid-level high-potential talent, and completed the Northwestern Kellogg NACS Marketing Leadership Program in 2020.

Julie Rodgers

Marketing Director, Gulf Coast Business Unit

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

• Rodgers started her career as an operator supporting the Gulf Coast Business Unit, where she was awarded Market Manager of the Year four times and Regional Director of the Year twice. She was in the first cohort of participants selected for Emerging Leaders, the company’s 18-month leadership development program.

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• Her tenure with Circle K has been marked by channel-leading results across the company’s key operational metrics. She plays a critical role in various high-level projects, while developing strategic marketing promotions and overseeing 19 team members. She was recently recognized as the Regional Director of Operations of the Year.

• “Julie truly is an inspiration to many, including countless women in the Circle K organization who admire her and value her leadership. She is genuinely effective in what she does — it’s the combination of being operationally focused and always having the stores in mind, along with the exceptional people skills,” her nominator noted.

Megan Sandlin

Senior Manager, Customer Planning & Development

Tyson Foods

• Sandlin is responsible for partnering with both Tyson sales and operators as an advocate to link operator strategies and business opportunities that drive mutual growth through customer and channel insights, marketing strategies/activations, menu analysis, and product solutions. She was Tyson’s Customer Promise Award winner in 2020.

• With experience as both a retailer and manufacturer, Sandlin brings innovative products to the forefront and helps set industry trends through a thoughtful and creative approach. In addition to providing support to Tyson’s national sales team, she attends and helps drive customer engagement in partnership with the sales team.

• Over the last year, in conjunction with the sales side, Sandlin gained new category growth within some key convenience operators to add incremental volume of 3 million-plus pounds of Tyson Foods product.

Julie Seefus

Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh Supervisor

Hy-Vee Inc.

• A 25-year Hy-Vee veteran, Seefus has held several management positions across the company. In her current role, she oversees more than 20 c-store locations in Nebraska and western Iowa, and is responsible for the enhancement and growth of these stores. This includes, but is not limited to, fuel and inside sales, educating and training staff on products, ordering merchandise, reporting profit and loss, and store operations management.

• To stay competitive, Seefus analyzes the market and ensures products and company initiatives are consistent throughout all stores. Although this is her first year in the role, she has elevated her stores to achieve a 38-percent increase in sales.

• Outside of work, she is involved in her local community, most notably working with local schools to provide food and supplies to underprivileged children. She began a program within her stores to collect winter weather gear for schools.

Gina Sorensen

IT Service Desk Manager

Yesway

• Sorensen leverages 18 years of IT experience to implement continuous improvement programs, and is quick to offer assistance to other areas of IT. She developed the Yesway service desk organization, which manages the technical support of more than 400 stores 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Other key initiatives that she has led include the implementation of Service Now, which captures and analyzes core issues and identifies patterns across stores; and the rollout of a new on-call program that enables quicker responses to critical situations. She will begin budgetary responsibilities for her area in early 2023.

• Sorensen is passionate about her staff and ensuring they have a voice in the direction of future business support. One of her staff members is learning to become a junior systems administrator, while another is actively training to be a field technician.

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April Stanford

Director of Convenience Sales

General Mills

• A 26-year veteran of General Mills, Stanford has held numerous positions and led teams across multiple cross-functional parts of the organization, including sales, marketing, trade, category management, and sales operations.

• As director of convenience sales, she leads a team with responsibility for end-to-end business management, including profit and loss, sales strategies, and long-range planning. She oversees and leads the more than $200-million business across convenience distributors and more than $80-million business across convenience retailers.

• Stanford is a member of the Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors and Women in Foodservice. She has received multiple accolades throughout her career, including Great Manager of the Year, Director’s Club, and UniPro Supplier of the Year.

Jessica Starnes

Category Manager, Tobacco & Loyalty Weigel’s Stores Inc.

• Starnes is a NACS certified category manager who joined Weigel’s in 2010, where she has been instrumental in building a gold standard pricebook team for the company.

• In addition to being the category manager for tobacco and Weigel’s loyalty program — which has grown to more than 400,000 users — Starnes handles most of the analytical work of the company by helping IT on a daily basis, overseeing the pricebook team, and keeping the marketing team moving forward.

• Described as “the lynchpin of the organization,” Starnes’ office is usually filled with department leaders seeking help with issues. She is lauded for her natural ability to collaborate with all departments to help solve both short- and long-term goals. Having led hundreds of projects over the years, she is a significant contributorto Weigel’s success.

Jasmine Struble

Category Manager, Dispensed Beverages

Yesway

• Struble is a globally skilled purchasing professional with seven years of foodservice experience. As the dispensed beverage category manager, she influences sustainable results through cross-team partnerships and strategic negotiations. She is passionate about playing a key role in environmental transformation projects and supplier inclusivity.

• Prior to joining Yesway, Struble managed food and beverage categories for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. She adapted quickly to the convenience channel and led the rollout of Yesway’s Bean To Cup coffee program, which ultimately resulted in an increase in sales, shrink reduction, and a jump in profitability. She is also lauded for introducing more cold and frozen dispensed offerings in an efficient and quick manner so that Yesway could keep pace with its aggressive remodeling schedule.

• Struble was named a Convenience Store News Future Leader in Convenience in 2021. She represents Yesway as a board member of the Young Executives Organization.

Sandra Sydlik

Product Marketing Manager

Stuzo

• Sydlik works closely with the product, sales and customer success teams to drive product strategy, and executes plans for how Stuzo goes to market with new products and product capabilities. She is responsible for managing certain portions of Stuzo’s marketing budget and oversees the marketing design and engineering team.

• She led the company’s qualitative and quantitative research efforts on the digital capabilities of the top convenience and fuel retailers to create Stuzo’s Market Insights Platform.

• Sydlik also led research efforts on consumer sentiment regarding loyalty, digital commerce and customer experience, which became Stuzo’s Con-

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sumer Insights Platform, and was the lead creative force behind the concepts Stuzo created and turned into its Future Vision Insights Platform.

Kristen Turner

Senior National Account Manager, PFNA

PepsiCo Inc.

• Turner has spent her nineyear professional career at PepsiCo within the Frito-Lay snacking division. During this time, she’s acquired CPG and retail experience through frontline operational leadership and customer management roles, primarily in the dollar and convenience channels.

• Representing Frito-Lay’s expansive portfolio, Turner heavily influences salty snack retail execution strategy through collaborative joint business planning processes using market data and insights.

• In addition to being an active member of NextUp, Turner mentors colleagues across the organization to help raise the bar on talent and diversity through formal and informal mentorship programs, such as the PEP Summer Intern Program, Women Inclusion Network mentoring circles, and routine touchpoints with new team members to support individualized onboarding and successful integration into their roles.

Tavay Watson

Fresh Food Support Coordinator

Thorntons LLC

• Watson joined Thorntons in August 2018 as a store manager in Louisville, Ky., and was later promoted to general manager (GM) and led a challenging inner-city store in Louisville. Given her success as a GM and her overall operations experience, she was promoted to her current position in July 2021.

• She now supports the fresh food management team with the implementation of marketing plans and promotions, and ensures all new products are launched successfully. COVID-19 pandemic as a way to engage team members and launched it on Thorntons Insiders, the company’s private Facebook group for team members. Since its inception, the level of engagement on Thorntons Insiders has jumped 179 percent, and fresh food sales have increased 7 percent. Additional departments have reached out to Watson for insights and best practices in order to replicate the #FoodFriday model.

Renee Williams

Customer Development Director

Coca-Cola Consolidated Inc.

• In her second year as customer development director, Williams has become the first female to lead the Circle K business at CocaCola Consolidated. Among her responsibilities are business development and sales execution while building a rapport to achieve a strategic partnership with her customer.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully collaborated with her customer and internal business partners to continue to deliver on collective goals. She quickly pivoted to a virtual environment and exceeded her annual revenue, volume and gross profit targets.

• With the addition of unprecedented supply chain and labor challenges, Williams has partnered with her customer to create solutions and alternative routes to market and crisis management. She brings more than 10 years of experience in convenience retailing into her role.

Elaine Yee

Director, Consumer & Market Intelligence

ITG Brands

• Yee is responsible for driving insights across databases covering more than 1 million adult consumers and 300,000 retailers. She compels action with empathetic adult consumer and shopper insights; and connects customer, category and competitive intelligence to anticipate market shifts and uncover profitable growth opportunities.

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• The 25-year CPG veteran has been awarded category captaincy among four of ITG Brands’ top chain customers and has driven more than 150,000 new points of distribution across her portfolio of customers. Additionally, she led a complicated and strategic assortment optimization initiative, launching nationally across a 1,000-member sales force that spans from sales representatives to chain account managers. The program drives strong velocity, revenue, and share performance.

• A diversity and inclusion champion, Yee is a co-lead in building ITG Brands’ Global Ethnicity Employee Resource Group. Additionally, for the last decade, she has helped up-and-coming young professionals in the Asian-American community.

MENTORS

Nancy Andrus

Division Director of Sales & Operations

Murphy USA Inc.

• Andrus leads 180 Murphy USA c-store leaders across seven midwestern states. In addition to training new directors in the field during onboarding, she recently identified a gap in the certified training manager role, developed an action plan to address it, and ensured that every district had a certified training manager by the end of 2021.

• According to her nominator, Andrus makes mentorship of others a central point of focus. She utilizes every opportunity to help others realize their development and career aspirations, which has fundamentally shaped her division’s internal talent pipeline.

• Andrus believes that it is her duty as a leader to pay it forward and bring others along by investing in their development and providing the resources they need to be the best version of themselves. It is the part of her job she loves most.

Anne Cauthron

Director, Learning & Development

Murphy USA Inc.

• Cauthron leads enterprise-wide learning, development and corporate communications at Murphy USA. Her duties include overseeing leadership training events, workshops and the rollout of the company’s e-learning platform.

• In 2021 alone, she mentored more than 10 people within the company, while also leading the organization’s diversity and inclusion effort, and serving as a thought leader driving multiyear efforts to enhance the employee experience.

• Cauthron also serves as a company culture ambassador. She is passionate about Murphy USA’s “Develops People” core competency and enjoys mentoring others, both in the company and community. She takes pride in the fact that at Murphy USA, employees empower each other to fuel a brighter future for themselves and their families.

Karin Dahl

Director of Solutions Delivery

Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop

• Dahl oversees the development of internal software applications and manages a team of application developers, architects and data management professionals. She implemented a new loyalty engine, and has transformed how the company develops applications.

• As an internal Maverik mentor, she is relied upon for identifying talent that fits the corporate culture, and developing team members for advancement opportunities.

• According to her nominator, management, coaching and mentorship are some of her strongest traits, which are demonstrated through the consistent development, professional progress, and ultimate successes of her direct reports. Dahl goes the extra mile to ensure her individual team members are set up for success, and has changed the trajectories of numerous team members for the better.

MENTORS

Letty George

Director, Global Communications

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

• With 22 years in the industry and extensive experience in strategic and employee communications, George plays a vital role on Couche-Tard’s Global People Team and has been instrumental in the company’s diversity and inclusion work. She serves on the Executive D&I Council, while expanding her skillset through the D&I Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University.

• Her nominator noted that George is a “shining example” of what a mentor should and can be. She sincerely cares about the personal and professional development of others, whether they are her peers, store team members, or executive leaders. In past years, she created an internal awards program that encouraged store employees to reach for excellence and be honored for their contributions.

• As the communication partner for every business resource group at Couche-Tard, George shares their stories, challenges and accomplishments.

Jessica Hendrickson

Vice President — Sales Infrastructure & Trade Marketing

Altria Group Distribution Co.

• After holding various leadership roles within the Altria family of companies, Hendrickson currently oversees the organization responsible for developing trade marketing, sales strategies and operations support to enable the field salesforce to create the best in-store experience for the adult tobacco consumer.

• As a steward for the development and advancement of women, she has played a key role in the growth and development of Altria’s broader organization. She personally led the development and implementation of the company’s executive development program for women, titled Women Executives Leading and Learning. The program combines enterprise business immersions, executive mentor pairings, personalized external executive coaching, and leader skill development. • Hendrickson is also a founding member of the Women in Sales Network employee resource group, which has more than 800 members. After holding the position of chair in 2018 and 2019, she now serves as an advisor.

Lisa Klamer

Executive Store Leader

GetGo Café & Market

• Klamer has been with parent company Giant Eagle and GetGo for more than 35 years and has held multiple roles within its supermarkets and c-stores. In addition to the day-to-day operations of her store, which has annual inside sales of $4.4 million and sells 3.8 million fuel gallons annually, she is the first line of contact for team member relations, oversees inventory management and on-budget performance, and monitors compliance measures.

• She is lauded for playing a role in the continued development of hundreds of team members and leaders for the organization, and is considered a resource and mentor to dozens on a day-today basis.

• Klamer has led multiple successful pilot programs and is currently working on a Giant Eagle/ GetGo program to develop team members who are differently abled.

Jami McDermid

President, Sales Agency

CROSSMARK

• McDermid manages new business development, customer management and client execution for CROSSMARK. In addition to overseeing project-based teams, she is responsible for the dedicated merchandising and selling teams that call on more than 2,000 independent convenience stores.

• Her role supports teams in both the United States and Canada, which represent more than 500 CPG clients across all major brand categories within more than 250 unique retailers. Convenience is one of CROSSMARK’s largest retail channels.

MENTORS

• McDermid founded the company’s mentorship program, which established a formal process to pair mentees with likeminded leaders within the broader organization. The inaugural cohort included more than 20 mentor volunteers, accounting for 10 percent of CROSSMARK’s leadership staff, and drew hundreds of mentee applications. The program was so successful that it doubled in size in its second year.

Angela Pimental

Executive Director of Environmental & Licensing

RaceTrac Inc.

• Pimental leads RaceTrac’s environmental and licensing functions, which support its convenience stores, franchise division, and wholly owned subsidiaries. Functioning as a shared service, she provides support and guidance to all divisions of the company relative to environmental and licensing. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring that RaceTrac is a steward of environmental, tobacco, lottery and alcohol laws in the communities it serves.

• She is the former chair of LEAD, RaceTrac’s business resource group for women. While in the role, Pimental oversaw a group of approximately 50 RaceTrac team members who carry out LEAD’s mission by planning events, programs, internal communications, and development seminars for women and women’s allies throughout the company.

• Pimental is also an ally for RaceTrac’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, and participates as an instructor in the company’s new Leader Development Training program.

Stephanie Simon

Business Development Manager

Swedish Match

• Simon has dedicated 17 years of her career to the CPG industry. PepsiCo’s fast-paced DSD environment prepared her for seizing retail opportunities at Swedish Match, where she has worked for the past 11 years. • A three-time President’s Circle winner and project management specialist, she drives more than $26 million in annual direct purchases and 35 million product units.

• Recognizing the need for young women to have female mentors within sales, Simon founded Professional Women Rising (PWR), Swedish Match’s first-ever women’s resource group. PWR consists of five female board members who mentor two mentees each. Simon leads the development, recruitment and training of mentor peers and is responsible for developing the mentee curriculum.

Vanessa Turner

Executive Team Leader

GetGo Café & Market

• Turner is responsible for all aspects of store operations for her location, while leading 31 team members. Her location is a pilot for the GetGo Forward project, which challenges the status quo and promotes process improvements and simplifications for day-to-day tasks and a more robust training program for new team members.

• She has mentored dozens of team members who are now current leaders of the organization as district leaders, store leaders, café leaders, and assistant store leaders. Over the course of her 18-year career at GetGo, Turner has held many roles and can relate to the team members she mentors because she’s been in their shoes.

• Turner is a key member of GetGo’s Store Leader Council, where she gives vitally important feedback and direction on key issues. She is also a member of the company’s Women’s Business Resource Group. CSN

TWIC 2022

2022 Top Women in Convenience Advisory Board

• Ericka Ayles, Brookwood Financial

• Renee Bacon, Murphy USA

• Matthew Domingo, Reynolds Marketing Services Co.

• Laurie Greer, NextUp

• Danielle Holloway, Altria Group Distribution Co. • Melanie Isbill, RaceTrac Inc.

• Marissa Jarratt, 7-Eleven Inc. • Lisa Koenig, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

• Christine Vondran, BIC USA Inc.

THE 2022 CONVENIENCE STORE NEWS TOP WOMEN IN CONVENIENCE PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY:

Founding & Presenting Sponsor: Platinum Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors: