Calli Brannan has worked in the food insecurity and food waste reduction space for a decade. In her current role, Calli owns the relationships with customers in Flashfood’s two-sided marketplace – retail partners and shoppers on the consumer app.
Calli joined Flashfood three years ago and was a critical member of a growing team that has built the company’s retail presence to more than 2,200 stores in North America. She was one of the earliest U.S. hires and worked up to a leadership role, driving growth and momentum with
Ted Breitowich
JOH SVP of Specialty
With more than 30 years of dedicated service to the retail food industry, Ted Breitowich has consistently demonstrated his commitment and expertise. He began his career at age 14 as a part-time grocery clerk and bagger, earning early recognition for his hard work. Ted’s
Tess Fox Flashfood
Director of Retail and Brand Marketing
In her role, Tess Fox manages the external brand of Flashfood, an app for deals on groceries, and its retail marketing and brand activities.
Shortly after arriving at the company, Tess undertook a massive project – creating a new visual identity for the young organization, one that could take space in a more contemporary way. The new brand positioned Flashfood for exponential growth, shaping it around what drives sales. The company had recently determined Flashfood was not just a path to reduce food waste for retailers; the app
Flashfood’s first and largest U.S.-based customer, Midwestbased Meijer.
Under Calli’s leadership, Meijer is the first Flashfood retailer to reach the 10 million pounds diverted milestone and the first retailer to launch SNAP EBT as a payment capability, a critical capability that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of lower-income shoppers. This program has seen tremendous success. In 2023, more than 16,000 shoppers used their SNAP EBT cards to pay for groceries on Flashfood at Meijer, saving nearly $400,000.
More recently, under Calli’s leadership, Flashfood launched a new platform, Flashfood for Independents, designed to meet the needs of independently owned grocery stores. This enables Flashfood to expand geographically to urban centers and rural communities, bringing Flashfood’s affordable grocery platform into areas that need it most.
career has spanned roles in supermarkets and distributors. For the past 22 years, he has excelled as a food broker, joining the family in 2015 when his company was acquired by JOH.
As VP of specialty in the metro and mid-Atlantic regions, Ted significantly grew the division, adding more than 25 associates and tripling its size. In his current role, he continues to drive success by onboarding new clients, introducing product lines and increasing sales for clients and customers.
Ted is respected for his versatile leadership and willingness to share his industry knowledge with colleagues
delighted shoppers, offering them a way to access fresh, nutritious food at more affordable prices.
The goal of the rebrand was to reflect this joy and reposition buying discounted food as food in its Goldilocks window (the right price at the right time) and build this into the next consumer trend in food. Tess undertook this massive project to develop and launch the new brand in less than a year.
Prior to joining Flashfood, Tess served as consumer engagement manager for Campbell Soup Co. She led crossfunctional teams and oversaw agency partners to guide the development of consumer-first activations including strategic planning, creative development, partnerships, paid advertising and optimization for brands such as Campbell’s Chunky, Swanson, Pace Salsa, Well Yes! Soup and SpaghettiOs.
During this time Tess led Chunky’s first-ever national
EMERGING LEADERS
Calli’s passion for creating a better future was developed early in her career, as the founder of Detroit-based One More Meal, a nonprofit taking leftover food from high school cafeterias, repackaging it and sending it home with students and families at the end of the day. Calli founded the nonprofit after conducting a food waste study at five schools in her county and introduced the initiative as a pilot program. This is an early example of Calli’s eye for innovative solutions driving positive change.
Prior to Flashfood, Calli served as a community nutrition program instructor at Michigan State University Extension and as a board member at the Detroit Food Policy Council. Calli has a bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College, where she was a founding member of the school’s Food Recovery Network chapter.
and other rising leaders. He has built one of the most effective specialty food broker teams in the Northeast, known for its excellence and dedication. His passion for growing JOH’s clients and customers is evident in everything he does.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ted is committed to giving back to his community. He supports charities such as Ronald McDonald House, which provided support to his family, and The Roots of Music, an organization that empowers youth through music, support and mentorship by providing instruments and lessons.
limited-time-offer of Ghost Pepper Soup, launching a custom DTC microsite, influencer program and special merchandise that resulted in more than 800 million earned media impressions, over 50,000 email opt-ins and a twominute product sellout.
Before Campbell’s, Tess spent five years at Dietz & Watson as senior advertising and media manager, where she supervised all national and regional marketing initiatives, including traditional, digital, social, trade, experiential and sponsorships. In this role, she executed the development and launch of the marketing campaign for the new snacking product, “Dietz Nuts,” which became an internet sensation.
In her spare time, Tess has volunteered at Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey and participated in the Campbell’s program with nonprofit Cathedral Kitchen in Camden, New Jersey.
2024 EMERGING LEADERS IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY
Loan Heilner
FreshDirect
Director of Merchandising for Non-Perishables
Loan Heilner was recently promoted to her current role. Her journey with FreshDirect began six years ago, starting on the FoodKick team before transitioning to the GFD category merchant team in 2019. During her tenure, Loan has successfully managed various categories within center store, with her most recent focus being on dairy. Under her leadership, the category experienced significant growth across all key metrics.
Kate Leadbeater Flashfood
Head of Commercial
Kate Leadbeater leads all growth-driving initiatives for Flashfood’s dual-sided marketplace, including managing new partnerships, growing the shopper base, product and marketing design and building successful product-led growth through best-in-class product innovation.
Under Kate’s leadership, Flashfood recently launched its first new platform since its debut in 2016 – Flashfood for Independents. The platform is designed to meet the needs of independently owned grocery stores.
In a period where all retailers are struggling with
Loan has also spearheaded FreshDirect’s RIPE program. In keeping with its longstanding commitment to partnering with local vendors across the farming, fishing and growing sectors, FreshDirect launched this one-year pilot program for brands with retail ambitions to take their businesses to the next level.
The New York area online grocer collaborates with emerging and diverse-owned businesses to provide industry counsel and leverage internal FreshDirect resources to grow their brands. Participants in the RIPE program have the opportunity to adapt their strategies for e-commerce success, connect with a FreshDirect category manager for one-onone mentorship and expand their customer base within the New York City and tri-state area. In addition, they can cultivate lasting relationships with FreshDirect, distribution and community partners and fellow emerging entrepreneurs.
a difficult retail climate, times have been particularly challenging for independent grocers, which face severe competition from chain grocers and the high cost of technology. However, these grocery stores play an outsized role in their communities. They’re not just important in terms of food access, they’re also culturally important because they provide specialized offerings, connection and community, while building personal relationships with their shoppers.
Flashfood designed the independent platform to offer these grocers a lifeline that can deliver an impact quickly via increased revenue and additional foot traffic. It also expands the availability of Flashfood’s affordable grocery platform into areas that need it the most. Kate and her team will add more than 100 independent grocers to the Flashfood platform by the end of 2024.
Prior to joining Flashfood, Kate spent eight years as VP of digital at ad agency DDB Worldwide, where she was
EMERGING LEADERS
In addition, Loan has participated in mentorship opportunities for emerging brands through organizations such as Naturally NY and the New York City Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Her efforts have facilitated the launch of hundreds of products from emerging brands into the NYC market, making it easier for tri-state consumers to discover and support local makers. Loan’s leadership extends beyond product launches, as she has also taken the lead in streamlining numerous cross-functional processes to enhance collaboration across the organization. Her dedication to improving efficiency and fostering a collaborative environment has made a significant impact on the overall success of FreshDirect.
particularly passionate about her work with clients in food production and consumer goods, including Mars Inc., McDonald’s, Champion Petfoods and the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
Kate is also co-founder of Testfire Labs, an enterprise productivity tool designed to deliver improvements in productivity and efficiency. In addition, Kate served on the board of directors for Digital Alberta, a nonprofit promoting digital talent in Alberta across a variety of sectors, including art, business and technology.
Kate studied communications and media at the University of Toronto and Montreal’s Concordia University and was a guest lecturer at the University of Alberta’s MBA program. When Kate’s not solving business problems, you’ll find her gardening, making messes in the kitchen with her children and advocating for the changes to tackle the climate crisis.
2024 EMERGING LEADERS IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY
Mackinley Moise
ShopRite Supermarkets Store Manager
Mackinley Moise’s journey is a testament to his dedication, leadership and pursuit of excellence. Starting his career in 1994 as a cashier at D’Agostino’s, Mackinley has climbed the ranks through hard work and commitment. His roles have spanned from bookkeeper and front-end runner to grocery clerk and dairy/frozen clerk, showcasing his versatility and deep understanding of the industry.
In just three years, Mackinley’s talents were recognized with a promotion to co-manager, followed by his advancement to store manager. His career shifted in 2007
when he joined ShopRite as an assistant store manager. By 2018, Mackinley was entrusted with the role of store manager at ShopRite of Bedford Hills, New York, and his leadership has since impacted stores in White Plains, North Poughkeepsie, New Rochelle and Mount Kisco, New York.
Mackinley’s commitment to professional growth is evident through his participation in the NGA Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University and his graduation from the SRS Store Manager Talent Bench Program in 2018.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mackinley recently celebrated his marriage to his wife, Esmeralda. As he prepares to open a new flagship store in Mount Kisco, Mackinley’s story continues to inspire and exemplify the qualities of an emerging leader.
Mackinley embodies the following leadership qualities:
• Adaptability: In a rapidly changing retail landscape, he adapts swiftly to new trends, technologies and customer
preferences.
• Collaboration: He fosters collaboration among team members, encouraging open communication and crossfunctional cooperation.
EMERGING LEADERS
• Empathy: He understands the needs of customers and employees, ensuring a positive experience for all stakeholders.
• Results-driven: He consistently delivers results, whether through process improvements, cost-saving initiatives or revenue growth.
Mackinley’s leadership skill lies in getting the entire team to focus and achieve outstanding results. In his most recent store, he achieved all budgeted financial metrics, including sales and net income. He also implemented an Associate Engagement Measurement plan and followed it every day.
Gordon O’Hearne
JOH
Director of KartSmartr
Gordon “Gordy” O’Hearne began his career in the food industry in 2012 at C&S Wholesale Grocers, where he quickly learned the intricacies of the business. Following his tenure at C&S, Gordy joined JOH, where he excelled in roles as a merchandising analyst, account executive and in corporate business
Mylene Senecal
Cascades Marketing Product Manager
Mylene Senecal’s journey in the industry began in communications, advanced through a marketing consultant role and now shines as a marketing product manager, specializing in food packaging. Her exceptional communication skills with markets, customers and consumers have been pivotal in her career. Mylene is passionate about sustainability, ensuring
development. In 2018, Gordy helped establish JOH’s e-commerce division, KartSmartr. Since then, he has grown it significantly, expanding the team and addressing the evolving needs of clients, customers and consumers in the rapidly changing digital marketplace.
Gordy’s career has been fueled by his dedication to eliminating inefficiencies and reducing costs in the industry. By streamlining processes and optimizing operations, he has driven business growth for clients and customers, delivering greater value to consumers and enhancing their shopping experiences.
As a leader, Gordy inspires individuals and teams to exceed their expectations. He creates a positive,
empowering work environment and stays grounded despite industry challenges. By promoting a positive mindset, Gordy has motivated his team members to embrace their roles enthusiastically, leading to impressive achievements and high morale.
Beyond his professional achievements, Gordy is dedicated to giving back to the community. He volunteers at local food banks across New England, showing compassion and belief in the importance of community service in the food industry.
Gordy has an impressive background, strong commitment to his community and is full of positive energy.
consumers are informed about recycling and sustainable choices. Solutions-driven and proactive, she prioritizes customer satisfaction, always going the extra mile.
Mylene is the core of her team, embodying quiet strength, diplomacy and patience. Her ability to inspire and persuade others ensures her team follows her confidently. Mylene’s inclusivity and mentorship have earned her respect within her organization. She is always ready to help, demonstrating unwavering dedication to her colleagues. Her sparkling personality and sense of humor create a positive team atmosphere where her natural leadership abilities shine through.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mylene is involved in “Well In My Body,” a nonprofit dedicated to
boosting self-confidence and challenging societal beauty standards. She promotes positive body image within communities, celebrating strengths and acknowledging challenges, empowering people to feel confident in their skin.
Mylene’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident in her daily interactions and her proactive mentoring. She is passionate about creating an environment where everyone can thrive, feel included and be their best selves.
Despite her demanding career, Mylene is also a devoted mother of two and finds time to practice sports, showcasing time management and dedication to a balanced life.
