Amy Niemetscheck

Certco Inc.

Years with the company: 10

I am the current president and CEO of Certco Inc., a retailer-owned food distributor in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to Certco, I was an auditor for several years working for a regional CPA firm and Certco was one of my clients.

The most defining moment of my career was when I concluded that my role in accounting and finance at Certco was great but I wanted to do more. I determined I have passion for the independent grocer and our wholesale business, as well as the amazing retail owners we are so fortunate to support. I wanted to see them all succeed.

I am so very fortunate to lead an organization where I truly feel my own personal values match that of the expectation I have of all employees and our stores. These values include teamwork, integrity and passion.

Having strong mentors can help shape your own leadership style and I was blessed to have several in my career. Most impactful was that of Randall Simon.

When I'm not loving my daily job at Certco, I'm putting every ounce of my time with my family. I have three beautiful children and a wonderful and supporting husband who love all things sports related.

Finding balance for yourself and your career are necessary. Work smarter, not longer, and you will be able to feel both buckets – career and personal – are filled.

Tracy Ohl

Post Consumer Brands

Years with the company: 15

Tracy is senior key account manager for Post, which represents breakfast items in the cereal category, including cereal, snacks, granola and hot items. Some of the largest brands include Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles and Malt-O-Meal Bags. She is located in the Midwest and calls on some of the largest indirect accounts serviced by AWG.

The most rewarding part of her job is working with her customers and internal sales team. She enjoys seeking out opportunities and then working with customers to increase their sales and profits.

She says she is extremely fortunate to work with a group of people that are excellent at their jobs. They have a good process for identifying opportunities, providing data-driven presentations, and executing those plans on the shelf.

If she were to advise anyone coming up in this business, it would be to hold yourself to a standard of excellent follow-up. Meet deadlines. Do what you say you are going to do. Make sure you are communicating. Help others along. If you have a good idea, share it with your team. Don't be afraid to reach out to others for help. Finally, be audacious in your ask. If you can back up what you are asking for, you just may get it.

Tracy is a former president of the St. Louis Area Food Association. She has a degree in marketing from Illinois State University.

Maggie O’Quinn

Midan Marketing

Years with the company: Five

As new business development manager, I am the liaison between Midan and new clients. It’s my job to invite new clients into our agency. The meat industry is built on relationships, and I love that I get to build new relationships weekly in this dynamic business.

When the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown occurred, we sprang into action to help our current clients navigate the disruption. As a company and a new business team, we realized our niche as a meat-focused marketing agency deeply mattered.

I love connecting the big global dots of our business-to-business meat industry supply chain to bring our clients’ visions to life and help them tell their stories.

As for challenges, I get paid to fail forward every day. For every “yes” we receive from a new client, I get the opportunity to hear at least 10 “no’s.” It has taught me resilience and humility.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals: Stay curious. Ask big questions. Seek mentors from different backgrounds. Celebrate and live in your strengths.

I have a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from the University of Georgia.

The defining moment of my career came earlier this year when I transitioned from the founder and president of a boutique marketing and communications firm to VP of marketing and public affairs for IGA.

Although I had worked for IGA as a consultant for the past 20 years, it was a big step to for me to hand off clients from various industries and devote all my time to the grocery industry and IGA.

The reason I chose to do so was simple: Over the course of the last decade, I’ve watched the grocery industry as a whole – and IGA in particular – begin an important evolution that has made it more progressive, innovative and ultimately more inclusive.

From FMI and NGA to The Shelby Report, countless CPG companies and, most importantly, the stores themselves, we’re seeing talented, confident women of all ages break through the industry’s long-established glass ceiling. They are bringing with them invaluable insights that are reshaping everything from how the industry manages and develops people to the way we market to shoppers.

And while I think everyone would agree we still have a long way to go, it’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of that evolution, and to be supported by so many – men and women alike – who are dedicating their professional lives to making the grocery industry a noble and enjoyable place to work.

Kristin Popp Woodman's Food Markets

I am EVP for Woodman’s Food Markets. All experiences have defined me in some way.

The team I work with, learn from, connect with and watch grow is the most rewarding. Being a part of an amazing team that has stepped up during the unknown to serve the communities we are a part of has been beyond inspiring.

Time is my biggest challenge. There is never enough.

My advice is to be fierce in all you do. Find your passion and pursue it every day. Seek feedback constantly to continue to grow. Ask questions. Listen. Surround yourself with people that challenge you. Step outside of your comfort zone at times and take advantage of opportunity, create opportunity. Make a difference.

I have had several mentors, but a few stand out. John Adams, our previous VP of operations, took me under his wing early on to allow me to grow into who I am today, believing in me and teaching me about the company, leadership and myself. Also influential have been Phil and Clint Woodman, our CEO and president. Working with and learning from two generations of the Woodman family has been impactful.

I sit on the board of directors, currently serving as president, for Women Grocers of America. I have a degree in business administration and have completed the Executive Leadership Development Program through Cornell University.

Jen Schultz

Post Consumer Brands

Years with the company: Seven

I am VP of sales strategy. After nearly 10 years in merchandising at a major retailer, I took the leap to go work for a supplier. Being able to leverage my experiences on the buying side of the table helped shape the go-to-market approach and built the foundation for my passion in sales strategy.

My role bridges the strategy to execution, which gives me the opportunity to work across many functions and directly with the retailers. Working with a wide range of people enables me to learn something new every day.

The incredible pace of change is both the most challenging and most exciting part of my job. Watching the industry evolve in consumer mindset, channel shifting, product innovation and marketing tactics certainly keeps us all on our toes.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals: Expand your network, embrace new experiences and always be curious.

Professional and volunteer affiliations: advisory positions in the Women's Development Network and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

I have bachelor's degrees in finance and economics from University of St. Thomas.

Heather Sigmon Fairlife

Years with the company: One

I am customer commercial lead-NAOU South Zone with fairlife. In 2010, while at Consolidated Bottling, I was promoted to a sales operations lead role for large store. As the first female to take the role, it was considered a trailblazing move. Transitioning from a foodservice role, I was clearly out of my comfort zone, charged with learning a new vernacular and sales/operational strategy, while leading a large team.

In the beginning, I conformed to the traditional role standards, was intimidated and out of place. But when I decided to be my authentic self, I quickly began to realize that my skill sets, ideologies and enthusiastic approach could allow me the opportunity to rewrite the blueprint for role functionality, proficiency and definition of success.

Authenticity is key working in the regional large store space. It allows me the opportunity to create customer-centric programming to maximize white space opportunities for long-term/game-changing strategies. I love my team.

Work-life harmony is important. Be enthusiastic, be inquisitive and be happy. If you're not happy, move on, as this should be fun.

My mom and dad are my mentors, since my first job at age 14 and still today I proudly serve as field chair for fairlife Women's LINC. We are creating a culture that applauds diversity, supports safe spaces for expression and fosters positivity.

I have a bachelor’s degree from Lenoir Rhyne University.

Cindy Sorensen

The Grocery Group

Years with the company: Four

I am humbled to be recognized as a “Woman of Influence” in the grocery industry. I thank my nominator and The Shelby Report for this recognition. I have been a “grocery geek” for the past 39 years. This is absolutely a highlight of my career.

I started in this industry in 1983 and was one of only a few women representing it. I often was the only woman in the room for a meeting, convention and food show, or the only woman in the lobby of a retailer or wholesaler, waiting for my appointment.

Much has changed in the last 39 years, and much has stayed the same. I never asked for special treatment as a woman, just equal treatment. It has been my goal throughout my career to help women, who have followed after me in this industry, to be successful in their careers by developing strategic business thought and practices.

I often received outreach from job recruiters who described a client this way, “They really want to hire a woman.” I was not interested in those positions, as I worked diligently to be recognized for my accomplishments. Yes, there were challenges along the way, and I use those experiences to help others navigate their way in similar circumstances.

Nanette Strennen Certco Inc.

Years with the company: 3.5

I am VP and CFO. A defining moment of my career was reaching my goal of becoming a CFO. Not only did I achieve it, but I am fortunate to work for a company I love in an industry that I’m passionate about.

One of the things I find most rewarding about my current position is people leadership. I get a great deal of gratification from developing, mentoring and inspiring members of Certco’s accounting team, as well as others at the company.

Like most leaders these days, what I find most challenging is working to get the day-to-day tasks done while at the same time planning and strategizing for the future.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals: Always welcome constructive criticism. You can’t develop professionally if you don’t know what you should be working on.

Since joining the grocery industry, Amy Niemetscheck, Certco’s CEO, has been my mentor. She is an amazing leader who has taught me nearly everything I know about the business.

Professional affiliations: Wisconsin Grocers Association; National Grocers Association; Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates; and Financial Executives International.

Volunteer affiliations: I give back in any way I can to hospice care organizations. After experiencing hospice care at the end of both my parents’ lives, I have tremendous respect for the work they do.

I have bachelor’s degree and am a CPA.

Donna Tweeten

Hy-Vee Inc.

Years with the company: 15

Donna Tweeten is EVP and chief of staff for Hy-Vee and president of Hy-Vee Marketing & Media.

She has been a key leader in helping to build the Hy-Vee brand. Her leadership and innovative skills continue to help the company as it moves into the future.

At the heart of her role is overseeing adaptive branding, marketing and communications strategies that resonate with shoppers.

She has positioned Hy-Vee as an experiential, customer-focused retailer through creative communications efforts, both new and traditional.

Tweeten has a bachelor's degree from Drake University and is a graduate of the Kellogg School of Management’s Executive Leadership program at Northwestern University.

Alex Tyre

Midan Marketing

Years with the company: Four

As account supervisor, I lead an account services team that serves as liaison between our clients and our agency departments, ranging from consumer insights and marketing trends to public relations, and creative design to web development and social media management. I love my role because I can unite multiple teams – both internally and externally – toward a common goal of driving more business for our clients and ultimately championing the value of meat.

After working in the marketing department at JBS USA, I was offered the opportunity to work as the product line manager of ground beef. The role challenged me to quickly gain in-depth knowledge of the product, production and sales.

The most rewarding element of my role is to serve as an extension of our clients’ teams. I am passionate about brainstorming a plan and leading execution to deliver results.

The biggest challenge is making sure that my team and our key contacts are staying up to date with consumers and overall market trends as the industry evolves.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals: Never think you’re finished learning. Be a sponge and absorb the knowledge and experience from those around you. Always ask questions.

I have two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Georgia, where I’m a member of the alumni association, and a Certificate in Change Leadership from Cornell University.

Georgia Van Gundy

Hy-Vee Inc.

Years with the company: Two

Georgia Van Gundy is EVP, chief administrative officer and chief customer officer, a role that she began just months before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

While it has been challenging to get to know her colleagues and spend time in stores due to COVID, it has been rewarding to know that the work Hy-Vee is doing is positively impacting the lives of its 91,000 employees, as well as its customers throughout the company's eight-state region.

Her dad was her mentor early in her career, and one of the most defining moments was taking an important role that she had no experience in. The opportunity changed her career and taught her that she can take on things she might not have experience doing.

That's a message Van Gundy hopes to share with young professionals: work hard, don't be afraid to take on new challenges and be true to yourself.

Van Gundy has a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. She is a board member of United Way of Central Iowa, Unity Point Foundation, BRAVO and the Greater Des Moines Partnership, and is also a governor-appointed member of the Iowa Board of Education and the STEM Advisory Council.

Jennifer Williams Weiland's Market

Years with the company: 10

I am owner of Weiland's Market with my husband of 31 years, Scott Bowman. A defining moment for me was deciding to leave corporate America after 20 years to become a fourth-generation grocer.

Helping team members be successful, personally and professionally is most rewarding. Challenges would include everything COVID-19-related (mask politics, staffing, product availability, staff mental and physical health). Making time for myself.

Advice: Find your inner direction and voice and use them. Don't stop learning. Keep an open mind. Realize you don't have all the answers. Set a good example. Don't sit behind a desk. Work hard with your team and learn from them. Take care of your mental and physical health. Don't be afraid to make mistakes (but not the same ones over and over). Do the best you can every day to make your tiny part of the world a better place.

Mentors: My husband and my parents. Professionally, no "official" mentors. However, I learned from a lot of smart women in leadership positions in business who gave me opportunities along the way (at JPMorgan Chase), government and community and the grocery industry.

Professional and volunteer organizations: vice chair of the Ohio Grocers Association; advisory member, Experience Clintonville.

I have a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University.

Kristin Williams

Hy-Vee Inc.

Years with the company: 28

I am EVP, chief health officer and president of Amber Specialty Pharmacy.

Being chosen to lead and start our pharmacy fulfillment operation was an early defining moment in my career. This gave me the foundation to learn how to build a business from scratch. This also catapulted my knowledge of manufacturing, supply chain and logistics.

The most rewarding part of my role is how many lives we are positively impacting throughout the communities we are serving.

One major way is dispensing and administering preventative or life-saving medications and vaccines throughout the country. I have the privilege to work for and support our teams whose focus and dedication is unwavering.

I began my career with Hy-Vee in 1993. I serve on: the Iowa Pharmacy Association board of directors; the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy’s board of directors; the Food Industry Association’s Health and Wellness Council; and as a National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation board member.

I have a doctor of pharmacy degree from Drake University.

Emilie Williamson

Roundy’s Supermarkets

Years with the company: Nine

I am division corporate affairs manager for Roundy’s Supermarkets, a division of Kroger.

On July 1, 2020, I became a registered dietitian nutritionist. Going back to school was a daunting decision at this point in my career. Getting there required me to attend classes to obtain a certificate in dietetics, complete more than 1,100 internship hours and pass the registration exam.

Passionate about food and nutrition, I felt it important to have the credentials to speak as an expert. In my role with Roundy’s, I work collaboratively with people across our business and communities. Together, we elevate and highlight our industry success, support communities and spotlight nutrition.

I would encourage up-and-coming professionals to celebrate their differences. We can so easily let our own insecurities hinder us. However, that’s not what got you the job or a place on the cross-functional team. It is the differences between us that allow for constructive dis-agreements and creative ideas to emerge. Celebrate and have confidence in what sets you apart.

In addition to the workplace, I’m able to use my experience in grocery and education in dietetics to support other organizations. I’m currently the state media rep for Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and recently joined the nutrition policy steering group for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

Michelle Harrington

Albrecht Foods

Years with the company: 25

I am the president and co-owner of Albrecht Foods. We are a family-owned business that my parents started in 1986. I worked in all departments while I earned my degree in education.

I taught high school for six years before starting my family, having two great kids, then entering the family business full time. I learned every aspect of grocery from the mentoring of my parents.

The most challenging aspect of my position has been the many decisions that had to be made during the this time with COVID-19. Each day presented a new challenge on how to keep our employees and customers safe. It has been a daily challenge and at the same time the most rewarding.

The relationship with my employees and customers gives me great satisfaction each day. I am the chair of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, which I take great pride in. I have also volunteered in coaching multiple sports and student mentoring programs.

Deb Yerkes

Zone Mechanical North Years with the company: 11

I am the general manager. There have been plenty of moments over the course of my career that have certainly made a difference. Given the reins of the Wisconsin division with the task of growing it, is something that I feel has truly made a huge impact.

The most rewarding part of my job is being connected to each facet of our business and working with each manager – individually and collectively – to make our company stronger and better every day. That also happens to be the most challenging part.

My advice, which is the same that I give my children: work hard and do your best each and every day. There will be challenges, there will be disappointments, but you work through them and will be better it.

Frank Petrosino and Dan Palubiak, the original owners of Zone Mechanical, most definitely have been influences, helping me understand the grocery business, as well as having the confidence in me to grow it; also, Brandon Scholz, the WGA team and members who have been wonderful and instrumental. My family and my husband of 32 years, John, for always being my support and anchor.

I have a bachelor's degree from Lewis University.