Women of Influence 2018

Welcome 26

Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

to The Griffin Report’s 13th Annual Showcase of

Women of Influence

We are proud to present the 13th annual edition of Women of Influence in the Food Industry.

The honorees represent companies coast to coast and have various backgrounds and experience.

The categories include manufacturers, brokers, distributors, retailers, chefs, convenience stores, organizations/associations and restaurants.

These women trendsetters are qualified for inclusion in this prestigious listing because of their leadership, skills and dedication. All these women are an inspiration to others – and all are making a difference in the food industry today.

Kevin Griffin This year’s honorees were chosen for their highly visible contributions to our industry, their professionalism and the awareness they have generated for the potential of women in our business. These women play a significant role in their companies through their leadership, expertise and dedication, and beyond their companies through their charity, philanthropy and civic work. These women are all passionate about their families, companies, customers and communities.

Years with company: Three

Current position:

Group VP of Corporate Affairs

Education:

MBA, Wharton School; Master’s in International Relations, University of Pennsylvania; Executive Certificate in International Trade Issues, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I serve on the board of directors for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Center for Food Integrity. I am trustee for the Cincinnati Museum Center and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra boards.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Easy–getting to be a part of the team that launched Zero Hunger | Zero Waste for Kroger. Our vision is to end hunger in the places we call home and to eliminate waste–especially food

Kevin Griffin Publisher The Griffin Report of the Northeast A Shelby Publishing Co. publication

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Current Position: District Director

What are you most proud of in your career?

I take the most pride in the successes and achievements of my store teams and associates in my district. It is a great feeling when I see the plans we put in place come to life and show results. We win as a team and celebrate together.

Nine

Current position:

Marketing & Innovation Manager

Education:

BS in Education, University of Georgia

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I am a member of SNAC International. I’m also passionate about working with individuals with special needs.

It is really more of a privilege, but Kroger’s scale across the country is massive. Our vision as a company is to serve America through food inspiration and uplift. When 9 million people visit us every day and we have 450,000 associates we trust with our reputation, there are always things that can happen. What has been so uplifting for me personally is–instead of lying awake every night thinking of all the things that go wrong–I am inspired and uplifted every day by everything that goes RIGHT. Our associates are incredible–they really do want to serve America through food inspiration and uplift.

Hobbies:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I would say the most defining moment in my career happened a couple years ago when I was placed as the lead for a major acquisition to our company. This was a significant undertaking with many moving parts and very time sensitive. The acquisition was successful, and it gave me the courage to let my voice be heard and showed me that I have what takes to be a leader within our organization and gave me the confidence to move into further roles in my career.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is keeping such a large team moving in the same direc-

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The most defining moment in my career was launching a new brand. Our Southern Recipe Small Batch pork rinds are an innovative and fresh take for the snack category, and I have really enjoyed being part of the brand’s development and growth.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

In our organization, I have a unique role working across multiple departments. Sometimes this can be a challenge when various departments have differing goals. However, it’s especially rewarding when we can come together for the cause of the brand.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

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Current position:

Director External Communications & Community Relations

Education:

BS in Marketing, University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth; Ahold Retail Academy, 2016

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Board member, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington; active committee member, Women Adding Value; Mid-Atlantic Region committee member, Network of Executive Women; committee member, US Dream Academy; committee member, USO-Metro Stars & Stripes.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I accepted an offer to relocate to Annapolis, Maryland, that took me out of my comfort zone and into a whole new area of my career that I would have never encountered if I did not take risks. I discovered a whole new life and challenged myself in every role that I took on in the organization. It was the most spontaneous decision in my career and yet the most rewarding decision in my career moves. I encourage taking lots of risks in your career.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Work-life balance. Can we have it all? Being a leader, mother of two loving children, friend, sister, daughter and mentor, coach and a volunteer requires lots of balance. While balancing all of these important roles is my biggest challenge of my job, the results are my greatest reward.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

LESLIE ATKINSON FOOD LION Years with company: 14

Current position:

Director of Brand Communications

Education:

BA in Psychology, Roanoke College

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

NEW Charlotte Chapter; Signature Leaders; AMA Charlotte Chapter; Roanoke College Alumni Lead.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I am an avid champion of social media–it enables us to enhance and protect Kroger’s reputation by elevating our unique story. People love to see Kroger stories on all sorts of topics, but especially about how associates are helping each other, our customers and our communities.

People and uplift-focused content on social media performs three times better than our normal content, which really shows how much people want to be inspired every day.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Instead of “no, but…,” try “yes, and…” Be known for leaning in to “yes” and being willing to try something even if it seems daunting. Also, as a rule, try not to take a problem to your boss and dump it in his or her lap; take a dilemma and three suggestions for navigating the dilemma instead. You’ll become known as a critical thinker and solutions oriented.

I run, do Pure Barre, read, ski and hang out with my three kids aged 8, 6 and 4. They are incredible, and we have a ton of fun exploring our new city of Cincinnati.

My hobbies include exercise, singing with my husband, writing my blog (The Gluten-Free Professor) and teaching marketing courses.

tion to accomplish the end goals and objectives, while at the same time balancing the needs of the company while showing sensitivity and compassion to my store team’s and associates.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

The best advice I can give is to not be afraid to take any opportunity that comes your way.

Even if it seems out of your comfort zone and the “inner voice” questions your ability, learn to silence the inner critic and take the chance. The rewards will be great and worth the chance!

Hobbies:

I enjoy golfing and working out. Travel is a passion of mine, and I look forward to seeing much more of the world.

touch with trends and market demand. We’ve used it to help define our consumer demographics and tell a brand story that matters.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Seek out as many experiences as possible. You never know where you will draw inspiration or gain knowledge.

Hobbies:

I am an avid University of Georgia football fan, enjoy barre classes and spending time with my family.

Social media has helped to grow and establish our brands. It is also a great way to stay in

FELISMINA ANDRADE GIANT FOOD Years with company:

Editio

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

KATHRYN AMATRIAIN RUDOLPH FOODS CO. Years with company:

h 13t n

waste–in our company by 2025. Kroger’s purpose is to Feed the Human Spirit, and throughout our history, Kroger has always provided the food and nourishment people need to live their best lives. We’ve focused on hunger relief for more than 134 years because we know that meals matter. Families that have meals together have children who do better in all aspects of their lives. There is a fundamental absurdity in America today: More than 40 percent of the food produced in the U.S. is uneaten annually, and yet 1 in 8 Americans struggles with hunger. As America’s grocer and one of the largest retailers in the world, Kroger is uniquely positioned to address this paradox. We have both the tremendous scale–more than 2,800 supermarkets that serve more than 9 million customers every day–and the local connection to our communities to make a difference.

ELIZABETH AHL STOP & SHOP Years with company:

in the Food Industry

The Griffin Report will continue to recognize women who make a difference. We welcome your feedback and comments, and if you know a female leader, innovator, trendsetter or someone special that you may feel qualifies for our Women of Influence in the Food Industry list, please contact me personally at kgriffin@griffinreport.com.

We hope you enjoy this feature again this year!

JESSICA ADELMAN THE KROGER CO.

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April 2018

I am fortunate that my defining moment came early in my career during my mid-20s. I had been working for a real estate publication and was responsible for the coordination of the print ads. I was fascinated by marketing and how influential it could be. I wanted to learn so much more–what made people tick, what caused brand loyalty and how could I be I could be a catalyst. I wanted to work for, and learn from, some of the brightest, most creative advertising agency gurus in the business – and did. From there, my love of shaping, building and evolving brands began, and I’ve been enthralled with it ever since.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

It has been reported that the average person consumed 500 marketing messages per day in the ’70s and that number has increased to over 2,500 in the mid-2000s across a plethora of tactics. Marketers have a tremendous challenge not to only stay relevant, but to do so in a

Social media has helped me create long-lasting relationships in my career, build my professional network, sustain my professional relationships and stay connected in this fast-paced retail industry.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Build a strong network of colleagues who are positive friendships. When I look back at a career of nearly 20 years, I cherish my professional friendships–people who are there for each other in great times, challenging times and all the time. I am truly blessed with friendships that have blossomed over the decades.

Hobbies:

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my loving family and friends, cooking, traveling and volunteering.

breakthrough, personalized manner.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has afforded each individual a voice. From a marketing perspective, it can be your best ally or an eye-opening awakening. Either way, it’s truth in the rawest form.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Follow your heart, stay forever curious, pass along your knowledge and don’t take life too seriously.

Hobbies:

I enjoy traveling, particularly to beaches or mountains where I can find a new trail to explore or a new beach on which to relax.

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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

SHANNON BENNETT MILLERCOORS Years with company: Two

Current position: National Sales Director

Education:

Double major–Marketing and International Business, University of Arizona

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Member, Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, California Grocers Association and Western Association of Food Chains; board member and fundraising director, Saint Anthony’s of Padua Catholic School; executive member of Women in Business.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The most defining moment of my career was when I left PepsiCo after 13 years. I left to pursue a large role at MillerCoors in a completely different category. I left everything I was comfortable with to strengthen my industry knowledge in CPG and gain a new and different experience. It was defining because it was then I realized how much we grow through change, and the courage it takes, but realized the value it provides. Change is never easy, but it sure makes us stronger and provides different perspectives and is only gained through the experience. I have had a blast learning a new business.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is trying to keep life and business in perspective. Life is a journey, and it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day challenges. I try to focus on how the challenges are all part of the bigger story we are all writing on Earth. Leading a team to understand this and persevere through challenges with the right attitude, mindset and perspective is a challenge, but is also the most rewarding part of my job.

KELLY BERRIE PERDUE FOODS Years with company: Nine

Current position:

GM-Organic, VP-Strategic Planning

Education:

BS, Packaging, Michigan State University; MBA, Temple University

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

At one point in my career I was hired for a role that, once in it, I realized it would not help address the biggest challenges facing the company at that time. I knew what I could do in that

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Both to some extent. It is an incredibly efficient tool for identifying the right contacts at other organizations, for recruiting, and for marketing communications, immensely so. I think we all could do with less autotargeted emails in our inboxes.

Current position:

I have been very lucky to be able to do what I love as a career. I have had a lot of little moments over the years that have helped me shape and define me as a person. I just hit 20 years with VERC, which was pretty big for me.

BS in Business Management

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Staying on top of trends.

Four

Current position: CMO

Education:

BS in Finance and Economics, University of Notre Dame

Professional and volunteer affiliations: CMO Club of Chicago; Chicago Food Depository.

career?

Do you have a defining moment of your

I joined eBay Europe in 2009, when there was still a lively debate as to whether people would ever buy things on a mobile device. I was immediately hooked on the pace of change.

Peapod is at the epicenter of the dramatic impact technology is having on how people shop for groceries and put food on the table. It’s still a buzz, and it gives me energy every day.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Keeping pace with the marketing technology landscape and Big Data. Standing still is not an option – I have to be proactive in ensuring we have the people, processes and tools required to drive actionable insights, not just drown in data.

What are you most proud of in your career achievement?

My kids and husband are still speaking to me. Let’s be clear…I rarely have balance on a single day or even week to week, but when I look across a longer time horizon and I take a

BONNIE BOROIAN BLISSFULLY BETTER Years with company: Three

Current position: Founder and CEO

Education:

I went to Indiana University Bloomington for a ballet major, then left to pursue Broadway. After a career as a professional dancer, I went to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale for baking and pastry arts to learn more about food and more specifically, sugar, as well as its effects on our bodies. I am also a Certified Alliance Teacher in the Barkan Method of hot yoga.

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I currently serve as a membership chair for the Angel Moms Leadership Board at Place of Hope at the David and Leighlan Rinker Campus, a 4-star rated charity with Charity Navigator

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Current position:

Director of Pharmacy Operations

Education:

BS in Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Member, Maine Pharmacy Association; member,Dean’s Advisory Board at University of New England; member, NACDS; member, APhA; co-chair, United Way Campaign for Hannaford; team lead, March of Dimes Campaign; team lead, American Heart Walk for Hannaford.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

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Current position:

VP of Category Management, Center Store

Education:

BS in Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Do you have a defining moment of your

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Let your interests craft your career path. If you see a part of the business you are in, or one that you work with, that interests you, actively pursue projects that will help you learn more about it. Reach out to more senior leaders for guidance. You’ll be surprised how much others are interested in helping you succeed on your journey.

Discovering new restaurants with friends.

Procrastinating yardwork in order to have as much time with my husband and kids on the water as possible.

Cheering for my girls from the sidelines (as much as they will allow me to).

I think it has helped. I think it makes customers aware of the different new items in the market.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Enjoy what you do.

Hobbies:

Walking, hiking, watching movies and just having fun with friends and family.

honest, “no BS” view on my relationships outside of work, I’m really proud of and humbled by the support that I receive from family and friends.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Be conscious of and actively nurture a diverse support network. It could be a good, trusted friend who doesn’t judge. It could be a former boss who knows your skills and your blind spots. It takes effort to reach out and maintain contact, especially across time zones and continents, but it’s worth it. The higher you go, the lonelier it gets; having an advisory group outside of work to tap into becomes not just nice to have but something that keeps you sane and grounded.

Hobbies:

Running, cooking and eating, in that order.

Social media hasn’t been a hindrance at all! It can serve as a great educational tool especially when you have a great story to tell. It allows the opportunity to provide terrific imagery and information for people out there who are looking for what you have to offer.

One of the moments that defined my career was when I saw the great joy Blissfully Better had brought on a young man’s face because he had not been able to eat sweets for years due to diabetes. I launched this company to give consumers an alternative to white sugar that won’t harm their bodies. To have something that has clean ingredients and doesn’t compromise on taste should be available to anyone of any diet.

What you can bring to the marketplace through your power of education, passions and talent is important to remember when starting out. I believe your intention is what should drive you and what you should continually commit yourself to. When you have a clear intention, you don’t move away or lose focus of what you want to create for yourself. That’s something that has always been important to me.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

What is the most challenging part of your job?

A challenge for me has been balancing business travel with family life. It can be difficult being away from my family and also being fully committed to my business. I wear both hats proudly and happily.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Hobbies:

A favorite hobby of mine is hot yoga. Another hobby I enjoy is cooking for my family and being with my family as much as possible. Being in nature also really feeds me and keeps me balanced. I’m lucky to live in an area that offers beautiful places to visit outdoors. It allows me to appreciate the beauty of the world and, like hot yoga, can offer a sense of serenity and peace.

It was when in college I decided to change my major and pursue a pharmacy degree. After graduation, I worked for a chain drug store and then realized the opportunities in a grocery store pharmacy setting. Now more than ever the supermarket setting is becoming a health and wellness destination, a place to be educated about medications but also nutrition and overall disease management.

Social media has enhanced networking and educational capabilities over the years; however, there is a risk to patients/customers that seek advice on sites that may have erroneous information and could cause potential harm.

The most challenging part of my job is to stay current. Pharmacy is more volatile than ever before with mergers, industry disruptors and reimbursement challenges facing our business on a daily basis. Also, our competition is realizing the importance of the combination of pharmacy and nutritional choices to their business. They are also looking at ways to differentiate themselves with food and health and wellness options, something that our company has always known and embraced but needs to remain forward thinking.

Hobbies:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Get involved. Your voice and participation is valuable in making a difference in your company and your community. Embrace change, accept the challenges and always seek improvement.

When I am not working, I love to spend time with my family and going on vacations to Florida. I enjoy watching and attending sporting events, especially the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and the New England Revolution. I especially like relaxing and reading on the beach.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

NATASHA BRINEGAR FOOD LION Years with the company:

My favorite hobby is rodeoing with my family. It’s fun and competitive. My biggest passion in life is my family, and my proudest titles to date have been “mom” and “wife.” I also like to run, do Pilates and who doesn’t Orangetheory fitness these days?

that provides homes for foster children, at-risk youth and young adults who would be otherwise homeless. Other volunteer affiliations include being an Angel Mom at the Place of Hope at the Leighan and David Rinker Campus and as a volunteer for Boca Helping Hands.

WENDY BOYNTON HANNAFORD SUPERMARKET & PHARMACY Years with company:

Hobbies:

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

CARRIE BIENKOWSKI PEAPOD Years with company:

Be true to yourself, and no dream is ever too big. Work hard, be kind, smile, be your best you and never, ever give up. Life is rewarding to those who are persistent. Mother Teresa said it best: “You only have one life, but if you live it right, once is enough!”

Hobbies:

NECSEMA, NACS.

Education:

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

The most challenging part of my job is keeping the organization focused on the important initiatives for long-term success. In an industry of fresh products, where every day brings new urgencies, it is challenging to be disciplined against longer-term goals.

Years with company: Senior Category Manager

Social media is a blessing and a curse. But it’s something we all need to get comfortable with and adapt – and quickly! For me it has helped, because I sell great, high-quality beer that a lot of people enjoy and drink and post all around the world! They also have fun while they are consuming our products.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

ANNA BETTENCOURT VERC ENTERPRISES 20

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

area was of much more value than the projects on my plate at the time, but it took several restless nights to conjure up the courage to address it with the senior leader. In the end, he agreed, and it became one of the most rewarding projects of my career. Speaking up was best for both the company and me.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

April 2018

career?

No, I would not say there’s been one defining moment. Every role I’ve had has given me the opportunity to learn more and serve our organization in different ways throughout my career.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

I can’t say there’s one specific thing that is the most challenging about my job. Every day is a new beginning and a new opportunity to make an impact. The retail industry is constantly changing; every day brings something new. Our challenge is to truly understand how the changes affect our customers so that we ensure we are delivering for our customers what

they want and meeting their needs when shopping our stores.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Not overly impactful in my specific role.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Find your passion. Do what you love and what drives you, and always do your best.

Hobbies:

I love football and basketball, so anything to do with the New England Patriots or the North Carolina Tar Heels.

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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

KRISTIN BROADLEY CENTERVILLE PIE CO.

JEANNE BURNS C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS

10

Seven

Years with company: Current position: Education:

Associate’s in Culinary Arts

Professional and volunteer affiliations: Special Olympics, Downs

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Hobbies:

Fishing, golf and meeting people.

Current position:

National Account Director

Education:

BBA in Finance, University of Hawaii Manoa

Professional and

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Education:

My retailers use social media in a best-in-class way.

Following them on social media helps me speak their language.

Saying yes to work events/invites can often feel like an obligation, but there’s no better way to network.

I love sports. I play soccer and take classes in Krav Maga.

Bachelor’s of Commerce, University of Toronto; MBA, Columbia Business School

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I am active with Brand Innovators, a group of brand marketing and media professionals that share best practices and case studies in the industry.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The biggest risk I’ve taken in my career was leaving a corporate company role to freelance and run my food blog website. This was in 2009 before influencer marketing became what it is today. Through running my site and building my network of bloggers, I learned about content creation and social media marketing. As I started to work with brands, I continued to build both knowledge and contacts that I still use today. Through this network, I was referred to a role (building a social media department) that led to my starting online grocery marketing.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Embrace opportunities to learn and to challenge yourself. Career progression isn’t always linear. Jobs I’ve had didn’t even exist when I first entered the workforce. Drive your career, but be patient. Raise your hand to accept stretch opportunities that can take you out of your comfort zone and look for ways to mentor up.

Hobbies:

I am a foodie and love to try new foods and restaurants. I also enjoy traveling and photography. As a mom of a five-year-old, my favorite thing to do right now is to explore Chicago with him and my husband.

The advances in technology–in digital marketing,

Three

Current position:

Director of Trade Relations & Industry Affairs

Education:

BS in Marketing and Philosophy, Fairfield University; MBA in Marketing, Saint Louis University

Professional and volunteer affiliations: NACS Supplier Membership & Communications Committee; Board member, Washington University Medical Center Housestaff Auxiliary; Junior League of St. Louis.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I think you should have defining moments throughout your career. I am actively seeking those moments every day. I believe defining moments arise from the choices we make in the companies we work for and the relationships we build. I am proud to work for a company that supports personal growth and the development of female leaders. The defining moments of my career have been influenced by the opportunities I have worked hard for and have been fostered by the mentorship and leadership I have

I believe knowledge sharing is essential for us to grow together in the industry and find innovative ways to evolve professionally. Social media has given us a direct line of communication to learn from each other, strengthen our relationships and provide mentorship and support in a way we can all benefit from greatly.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Find something you are insanely passionate about and throw yourself in headfirst. Be brave as you follow your path. Open yourself up for new opportunities and experiences even if there is a level of discomfort. That is how you know you’re experiencing growth.

Hobbies:

Spending time with my family, volunteering, gardening and traveling.

Traveling, camping and cooking.

DIANE COLGAN TOPS MARKETS Years with company: Nine

Current position:

SVP of Marketing & Decision Support

Education:

BA in Economics, University of Wisconsin; MBA, Southern Methodist University

School of Business

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The moment I realized the importance of adding value to help achieve a goal. Everyone has a value, whether it’s certain experiences, critical expertise or a unique skill set. The opportunity that we all have is to share and apply that value on a daily basis and to stretch and to go beyond what we’ve done in the past. When every team member is adding value, the team is more effective and is able to accomplish key goals.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The challenge of my job is also what makes it very exciting–it is the dynamic landscape of the consumers that we serve, our retail partners, and the global environment. No day is the same as the previous day, which I find very energizing and exciting.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has enhanced my role as it helps us understand the usage of emerging nutritious products which is critical to us as we constantly evaluate the latest and greatest trends and determine how we can provide a unique offering to consumers.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Learn from others. Use every encounter that you have with someone as an opportunity to learn something new, and then think how you could apply that knowledge.

Hobbies:

I enjoy being active, whether it’s playing tennis, hiking, mountain biking or just working out. I also enjoy traveling, especially to warm locales during cold Chicago winters.

BS in Business Administration, College of Charleston (South Carolina); Competitive Retailing Executive Program, Wharton

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Mentor, Menttium; executive sponsor, Women of Color; Network of Executive Women.

Board member, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Western New York chapter, for past six years; United Way Women’s Leadership Council and Volunteer for past 15 years; Williamsville, New York, Central School District Wellness board for past three years.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I was let go from a job early in my career due to a company merger that then opened the door for a wonderful career in food retailing.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Communication. Most mistakes can be traced back to lack of communication.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Both really. Social media provides for immediate access to a large number of people–which can be good or bad.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Pick something you would really like to do. Jump in with both feet, and see where it takes you. Be open, exude energy, learn as much as you can and always try to do a little better every day.

Hobbies:

Enjoying time with my husband and two sons, hiking, reading and tennis.

KATHLEEN COLLINS BH COFFEE CO. (DBA BARRIE HOUSE COFFEE)

What is the most challenging part of your job?

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Hobbies:

Education:

found among my colleagues.

The beer industry is always evolving, as are the channels in which beer is sold. I am tasked with making sure Anheuser-Busch keeps a strong pulse on the ever-evolving needs of our retailer community and strengthening our commitment to industry excellence and relationship building. It is an exciting challenge that I am proud to lead.

Show you care about the quality of work you do and the relationships you build.

When you say you are going to do something….do it. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes when moving forward in a project. It provides insight into their thinking, and you become a better person for it.

20 Current position: VP of Strategy

ALICIA CLEARY ANHEUSER-BUSCH Years with company:

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

AMERICAN NUTRITION – PEPSICO

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Keeping up with the times is very important. Social media is part of changing times; embrace it!

At the start of my career, I was an administrative assistant at Nabisco with two small daughters and needed to make a life change. I knew I couldn’t support my children by myself in my current position, so I went to my manager and asked to be promoted. I was fortunate to have a manager who had faith in me, and I was promoted one week later. Throughout the years, I received many additional promotions, taking knowledge from each one. Every day I work to prove to myself and to my company why I earned each position. I now pay back my good fortune by

online grocery and adapted by consumers–is both exciting and challenging. Though I’ve been in online grocery marketing since 2011, the space continues to rapidly change. Keeping up with innovations while maintaining balance is something I work on every day.

From making business contacts via LinkedIn to gaining immediate consumer feedback through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, social media has been extremely helpful in my role. I lead our digital marketing strategy, and social media has allowed me to quickly learn from 1:1 consumer marketing.

I know which content engages with our audience and can rapidly create more videos and photos that drives traffic to our site.

The most challenging part of my position is creating strong customer/manufacturer bonds, multi-tasking and staying ahead of deadlines.

Senior Customer Business Manager

Years with company:

Director of Customer Acquisition

Skiing, cooking, Peloton and travel.

Current position:

Years with company:

Current position:

Hobbies:

training the next generation. I am very thankful for the opportunities I have had in the food industry.

Two

JANICE CHOPRA NORTH

One

Believe in yourself, take on new challenges and develop relationships with colleagues within your business or industry because the best things are accomplished through partnerships.

Years with company:

ANDREA CHAN-DILIBERTO PEAPOD

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

CHERYL CARREIRA ACOSTA SALES & MARKETING

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Hobbies:

Managing very time-sensitive issues in an array of areas.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

FMI Government Relations Committee; member of Vermont and Massachusetts Bar Associations; board member, New Hampshire Grocers Association and C&S Charities.

There’s never enough time. Prioritizing and saying “no” to questions that are not business critical.

Moving from Hawaii to Minnesota for my current role.

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Social media makes every issue much more immediate than ever, so it becomes a challenge as to the timing. However, similarly, it enables the industry to learn real-time news.

Professional and volunteer

affiliations:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Alzheimer’s Association

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

BA, Boston College; JD, New England School of Law

When I moved to C&S from my previous position, I was moving from a job

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

volunteer affiliations:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Education:

ADRIA CAMPBELL DEAN FOODS 10

Sr. Corporate Counsel, Operations Law and Director of Real Estate

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

What is the most challenging part of your

Years with company:

with a much more narrow scope. C&S gave me the opportunity to transition into the grocery field with a much broader scope and enable me to work in areas that I had yet to discover. It’s been an exciting challenge.

Current position:

For the most part it is good. Most people give us good feedback. You can let everyone know your special items and special events.

Get to know your employees; they make or break you. Care for them and take care of them.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Opening the pie shop in March 2009 and creating jobs for disabled and people in our community.

Years with company:

Training and healthcare for employees.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Owner

Syndrome, HACC

job?

April 2018

Years with company: VP of Sales and Customer Service

company led both by third- and fourth-generation family members as well as many talented associates. I have decades of sales and operational knowledge but from a different side of the business. Retail vs. manufacturing.

Best decision of my life.

Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Business Management; master’s in Human Resources

Balancing travel and family. Also, being a female in a predominantly male manufacturing world.

Two

Current position:

tions:

Education:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Professional and volunteer affilia-

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Network of Executive Women; The Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Yes. My daughter was diagnosed with cancer and needed to move back home because of the expense of her treatments and she needed to be around my husband and me for support. I had agreed the year before to work with a group to improve the P&L of a department as a special project for Ahold. At the same time my daughter was moving home. Ahold informed me that the project was being moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and that I would have to move there. I was devastated and asked to go back to being a director of operations because I couldn’t leave my family. I was informed that many of the director jobs were being eliminated and that I did not have an option. I was always a career-oriented person and had to decide whether to give up everything I worked so hard for or my family. I chose to take a severance package and leave. I was scared that at my age I wouldn’t be able to find a job that I would love again, as I really loved working for Ahold and I had so many friends there. I was left so empty inside, but I knew deep down that I had to be there for my daughter. I also have a deep belief that everything happens for a reason. I used social media to put my name out there and had multiple job offers.

I accepted a position at Barrie House Coffee because they are a family-owned

Social media has helped my job immensely through networking and has allowed me to share content and participate in multimedia platforms.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Challenges in your career are going to happen as are mistakes. Focus on your strengths and use your weaknesses to improve yourself. Remember your goal and destination and all will be yours if you are determined.

Hobbies:

Fishing, farming and cooking.

I N

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32

Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

JENNIFER CROTEAU VERC ENTERPRISES Years with company: 19

Current position: Store Manager

Education:

High school diploma

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I volunteer with my children’s school and sports activities.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Social media has been a great help when looking to recruit associates.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

I think the most helpful advice I can give is to treat others the way you’d like to be treated. I don’t ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do, and I think that helps build mutual respect.

I’ve also had great mentors and would encourage upcoming professionals to think of their bosses and colleagues as people they can learn from.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

It’s been a steady journey, as my role within a growing company has expanded over the years. Moving into management set me on my current path.

I would say hiring. It is tough to find the right fit for our business needs. Also, when more local competition moves into the area, it’s a challenge to not only consistently meet but also exceed new, higher sales goals, which is what I strive to do.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Six

Current position:

Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis

Education:

BS in Psychology, University of Houston; MBA, LeTourneau University

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Once a quarter, my daughter and I volunteer with the Houston Food Bank’s Backpack Buddy program. This program provides nutritious, child-friendly food for school children to take home over the weekend.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I switched career paths from psychology to finance in 1997. My undergraduate degree is in psychology, and when I graduated, I naturally gravitated toward a career in that field. My first post-collegiate job was performing mental health assessments for individuals applying for disability benefits, and I found the work personally rewarding but less intellectually stimulating than I anticipated. (It also didn’t pay as well as I would have liked.) I consulted with a few trusted friends and advisors, did several months of research and made the decision to change my career path to finance. I went back to school for my MBA. Since making the switch, I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the most dynamic companies in Houston, actively involved in formulating strategic plans, executing mergers and arranging financing for large-scale capital investments.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

MICHELLE DUFRESNE KEHE DISTRIBUTORS Years with company: 25

Current position:

VP-Independent Natural, East/Central Regions

Education:

BS in Accounting, University of Florida

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

President of SENPA, a nonprofit trade association that supports the independent natural industry and hosts SOHO Expo; Network of Executive Women; Advisory board member, Jacksonville University Consumer

10

Current position: Category Specialist

Education: Bachelor’s

Professional and volunteer affiliations: Member, NECSEMA trade show committee.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Three

Current position:

Regional Director of Operations

Education:

Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Member, NY Women’s Culinary Alliance; member, James Beard Foundation Greens, Women Chefs and Restaurateurs.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

It’s hard to pick just one. I am very grateful for the experiences I have had to date. The first

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Make sure you have an appropriate work/life balance. Work hard and be dedicated to your job, but be aware that burnout can happen. Make time for yourself and the important people in your life.

Hobbies:

Cooking, sand volleyball and word games.

It has been an asset. It provides avenues of keeping me up-to-date on relevant issues; provides networking connectivity; and allows you to easily reach out to customers and key contacts and support their initiatives.

After 20 years in accounting/finance positions, our CEO asked me to lead a sales team for a large, strategic customer. In my mind, I had not “checked all of the boxes” to be qualified. I am grateful that he saw something that I missed in myself. It was the best decision in my career.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Managing through constant change in an industry that is moving at light speed. You can’t continue “doing the same thing” and expect success. This applies to how you work with your teams and your customers.

I assisted the former category manager for five years. During the summer of 2014, I became the official buyer for beverages, so 2015 was my first full year taking on beverages, negotiating contracts and mastering the puzzles called “planograms.” That year, seeing growth in my very own data, dollars and categories, gave me “I got this” feeling. More categories followed: candy, beer and wine.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Listen and ask questions. Volunteer for projects that are outside of your responsibility. Connect with your customers, co-workers, on a personal level. Work smart and find life balance.

Practice humility. Be kind.

Hobbies:

Golf, cooking, piano playing and learning the ukulele.

Instagram and Yelp. We didn’t get as much feedback as we wanted. Since VERC doesn’t have an AP or a rewards program, social media has become more of an internal communication.

We share events and contests that we run within our company, and co-workers comment and share.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Learn to love analyzing data. Your company sales data is your strongest tool. Don’t be afraid to take chances; you can get ahead of the curve, and the vendor won’t forget that.

In this position, I sit down with many great people and talk about new items, company causes, marketing analysis and, of course, personal day-to-day life stories. The most challenging part of being a category specialist is that you cannot partner with all vendors, no matter how great of a person they are. You need to do what is best for the company.

Hobbies:

This one is the toughest question right now… I have three young kids at home—6, 4, and 11 months—and I work full-time. Not complaining and wouldn’t change it for the world, but I don’t think I have a hobby these days. I stick with what is important to me, which is family, friends and staying healthy by exercising.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media was something I started up at VERC. I signed us up for Facebook, Twitter,

AMELIA EKUS GUCKENHEIMER Years with company:

The grocery distribution world is surprisingly complex and constantly changing, and keeping pace requires focus, flexibility and business sense. My job involves pulling together large volumes of data into a clear, concise and relevant format to guide senior management decisionmaking. The ever-changing landscape of the grocery distribution business makes providing needed context to management both increasingly important and increasingly challenging.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Goods & Services Institute.

MEGHANN EATON VERC ENTERPRISES Years with company:

Hobbies:

Bowling, watching sports and traveling with my family.

TRACI DAVIES GROCERS SUPPLY / C&S WHOLESALE Years with company:

April 2018

was being fired. I was so new as a manager and had no idea how to communicate. I learned a lot, and it was not easy, but I am now a much better manager! The second was the change to corporate dining from brick-and-mortar restaurants. It completely changed how I look at the food industry and how I see ways to create change from this side of the business. We have the opportunity in the corporate dining world to use our buying power to help small and minority-owned businesses as well as support sustainable business practices, so I feel we can really put out money where our mouths are!

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is that the obstacles are different every day. We never know what the hurdle is going to be: weather, staffing and deliveries–you just never know.

The thrill is that I get to be a problem-solver every day, and it is always exciting!

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has played a special role because my shift into the corporate dining world from stand-alone restaurants was catalyzed through my position as general manager for Twitter’s corporate cafe. I learned firsthand how important social media could be to the food industry and driving participation and, ideally, revenue. It has also played a key role as the medium through which to engage with other movers and shakers in the industry.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Be appropriately confident. Be humble enough to know what you do not know, and be open to learning–especially the skills that do not come naturally. However, when in a position of authority, do not question yourself. Remember that you earned it, and that you deserve it.

Hobbies:

Obviously, I love to cook. I have also recently become more interested in hiking (I just climbed Mt. Fuji this past summer!) and love to play Gin Rummy with friends.

KRISANNE FLAMINI WAWA

HALEY FLYNN UTZ QUALITY FOODS

Years with company:

15

INC.

Years with company:

vated a supportive community and developed a strong base for future growth within our organization.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

18

Current position:

Category Manager-Snacks, Confections, Packaged Cake and Grocery

Education:

BS in Food Marketing, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Current position:

BA in American Studies, Yale University

Education:

Committee member, NEW Mid-Atlantic chapter.

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I volunteer for Operation Brotherly Love, a large event that spreads joy to Philadelphia-area families in need during the holidays. From individuals to corporations, we all share a common goal to connect with families and children in need and create a happy holiday season for all. I also participate in Wawa volunteer opportunities such as Wawa Welcome America and the Autism Walk.

The most challenging part of my job to date has been recognizing that I cannot do it all by myself. I now choose to surround myself with positive, proactive people (both personally and professionally) that seek the win-win in every situation.

Senior Customer Support Director-Mass

career?

Do you have a defining moment of your

The defining moment of my career to date has been leading a team of talented women to develop the Utz Women’s Mentoring Group. Now in our fourth year, we have culti-

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Take the time to get to know your co-workers and industry peers by actively participating in networking and educational offerings from organizations such as the Network of Executive Women. There are endless opportunities to learn, grow and share with others.

Hobbies:

I enjoy spending my free time with my family and helping to coach my daughter’s softball team.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

My most defining moment of my entire career was being hired at Wawa and being promoted to a category manager. Another highlight in my career was receiving the Wawa Wings of Excellence Award.

This award recognizes innovation and excellence among the top 25 associates who are emerging leaders in the company. Lastly, another noteworthy honor was receiving the Confectionery Leadership Award from the National Confectioners Association (NCA).

What is the most challenging part of your job?

I would say the most challenging part of my job is balancing work and family. Fortunately, Wawa allows me the flexibility to be successful at both.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Utilizing social media allows us to reach out to a larger audience and bring excitement to the category.

I N

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F O O D

I N D U S T R Y

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Challenge yourself every day; if you do not make mistakes, you are not taking enough risks.

Hobbies:

I love to spend time with my husband and children. I also love to read.

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3/23/18 3:00 PM

would like to congratulate

Ashli Pacheco for being chosen as a

Woman of Influence

We couldn’t be prouder of the way she represents us every day!

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34

Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

KIM GAEBELEIN BIL-JAC PET FOOD Years with company: Six

Current position:

Senior Marketing Director

Education:

BS in Management and MBA in Product Marketing, Arizona State University

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Past board member, VP of membership, Northeast Ohio American Marketing Association.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

After five years of working at Iams, which was privately held at the time, the company was purchased by P&G. All at once, no one was sure what would happen next and there was a lot of uncertainty. In a conversation with a team member, I realized that, in spite of the changes, I needed to respectfully continue to do what I thought was right for the brand and my

co-workers. That decision gave me the focus and the initiative I needed to lead in the face of change. I was the first person to be promoted in marketing after the acquisition, and worked with a team of 12, made up of people from both companies. Focusing on the task at hand, the key initiatives of the business, and creating a new way forward in the new organization was very challenging and rewarding.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

While the overall tenets of marketing have not changed–namely, solving the pain points of your consumer and/or making their lives easier–the tactics continue to evolve more quickly.

Digital spaces and the Internet of Things (IoT) certainly keep us marketers on our toes. There is always the promise of someone around the corner who can create a better website for your brand or find more of your target customers efficiently. Being able to vet those opportunities and test and learn your way to a new place is, and will be, a critical skill. I’m curious, love to learn new things and find ways to identify, engage potential customers and develop relationships with current loyal customers.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media can be a fantastic way to build relationships with people who are interested in

BRANDY GAMONING NESTFRESH Years with company: 10

Current position: Marketing Manager

Education:

BA in Mass Communications, minor in Creative Writing, University of California Berkeley

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I have served as the president of Colorado Egg Producers, VP of Communications Company for Emerald Marketing Association, a board member and marketing coordinator for Tiny Tots Indoor Playground, a member of the Children’s Charity Raffle, Membership Committee and Restaurant Fundraising Chairs for the Eugene Active 20-30 Club and as a College Fair Alumni Ambassador for the California Alumni Association.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The most defining moment of my career was choosing a company that I could grow with over many years. Joining the NestFresh team so early in my career provided me so many opportunities for growth and mentorship as a young professional. I was exposed to many sides of our business and industry very quickly and was able to learn from all of these experiences.

As our company has grown over the years through acquisitions and entrepreneurship, I have been fortunate to be able to grow with it and continue to be challenged.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is translating all of the input that goes into marketing strategy—from top management directives and sales goals to industry best practices and marketing theory—into actual marketing campaigns. I am always researching and collaborating with our team to develop the most effective real-world efforts that will connect with consumers.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

MONICA GARNES THE KROGER CO. Years with company:

and Herbert R. Brown Society; member, Network of Executive Women.

Current position:

The defining moment of my career was relocating to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2013 to become VP of merchandising for Fry’s Food Stores. This move was a pivotal time for me because I was promoted to a larger role within The Kroger Co. that allowed me to drive business results and let my competitive nature shine.

23

Division President, Fry’s Food Stores

Education:

BS in Business Management, The University of Rhode Island

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Board of trustees, Mount St. Joseph University; board of directors, United Way of Greater Cincinnati; board of directors, Lucky’s Market; member, United Way’s Women of Tocqueville

MAGGIE GEORGE PEPSICO Years with company: Six

Current position: Key Account Manager

Education:

BA in Liberal Studies, Rider University

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Member, Network of Executive Women (NEW)–NY Metro Region.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is attracting and retaining great leaders. Having the best talent around me and motivating and inspiring my team to do the best work they can do is something I take very seriously. I want to help my associates reach their best potential.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I would say the most defining moment of my career was taking a role two years ago that was out of my comfort zone. With the help of my peers and manager, Eric Farias, I learned a great deal about strategy, perseverance and new selling techniques. I took this opportunity to take risks, stretch my wings and develop in a new role. This experience was invaluable as I learned more about myself and the business than I could have ever imagined, and it has shaped me into the employee I am today.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

To make sure I am consistently growing and adapting my skills to be as effective as possible in an evolving marketplace.

RACHAEL GIRARD BLOUNT FINE FOODS

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Be curious and collaborate on everything! Do the right thing, don’t just do things right. When you care about the people you work with and the consumers who buy your product, and you are passionate about serving them in a way that is profitable for your business, everything else takes care of itself.

Hobbies:

Time with family and friends, traveling and finding new experiences, digital scrapbooking, tennis and video gaming.

As a marketer who is working to raise awareness of and connection to the brands I work with, social media has been a great tool. I have been able to connect directly with consumers across a number of social media outlets and to develop collateral that is tailored to speak to specific users on each platform. I have found that when used correctly and in a way that enhances existing strategy, social media can be a very powerful resource for organizations.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

My advice would be to look for ways to always continue learning. I have spent the entirety of my career in the marketing field, but at times took on roles where I partnered with accounting, operations and regulatory compliance, among other departments. Each of these functions are outside of my specialty and job description, but I found that these experiences gave me context, helping me understand how businesses work as a whole.

Hobbies:

I enjoy reading, doing puzzles and getting outdoors, as well as spending quality time with my husband and our son.

Social media has had a major impact on my job. I am now able to reach customers quickly in a variety of ways. We can share recipes that make meal preparation easier and we can engage with our customers daily. On the flip side, we must be responsive because customers want immediate acknowledgement of their inquiries via social media.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

I have always embraced learning from those around me, making sure I asked questions, took on challenges and did everything I could to bring my professional dreams to fruition. The quote I embrace is, “Call it a plan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family, whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” (Jane Howard)

Hobbies:

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling and golfing.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has helped me stay connected to customers and stay current within the marketplace.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Never lose your passion for success. Take risks, learn from your mistakes and don’t be afraid of failure. You should know and accept that you can’t reach the top overnight; it takes patience, diligence and hard work in any position.

Hobbies:

Spending time with family, reading, cooking and staying active.

Bob’s Big Give

Current position:

Logistics of all our trade shows. Getting our booth and displays in the right places at the right times and keeping the Blount look and feel consistent to our consumers and customers.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Only helped. Being in marketing, any kind of social media is good! Doing some stop-motion videos of our new bowls and showing our 16-oz. Blount organic line. Getting our customers

Hobbies:

Marketing Manager

Education:

BFA (Magna Cum Laude)

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

DIANA GORSHE DEAN FOODS Years with company: One

Current position:

Director of Category Management

Education:

BA in Communication, California State University, Fullerton

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Network of Executive Women; volunteer in assisting with the development of the business curriculum, Indian Prairie School District 204 Illinois.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I don’t have just one, but I do have turning points that took my development and learning to the next level. My first job with Ralphs Grocery Co. was what developed my analytic skills

and passion for category management. The next was in working for Kraft Foods in category management and brand management, where my strategic thinking was more deeply developed. My last position with Acosta Sales & Marketing offered the opportunity to experience the strategic development and execution of category management discipline in several large CPG companies including Heinz, Kellogg and Starbucks. Lastly, helping Dean Foods pivot from a commodity category to a branded milk business. The Dean Foods experience has been the most challenging of my career but also the most rewarding.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Having enough hours in a day to take advantage of every opportunity available to us… meeting with customers, creating truly creative ideas that will step-change the dairy categories, providing enough support to our sales teams and leading a team of associates and developing deep skills in creating compelling insights.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

No question it has helped. Social media provides almost immediate feedback on what we’re

ESTELLE GOULART BLOUNT FINE FOODS Years with company: 12

Current position:

Regional Sales Manager

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Fairhaven/ Acushnet Land Preservation Trust; Buzzard Bay Rowing Charity Events; Women’s Empowerment Group.

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your brand. It’s also a great way to see early trends and gather information via comments or even surveys. In my last four positions, I have worked to broaden each brand’s social reach and connect with people one-on-one at a more personal level. On a brand like Bil-Jac, where pet parents are especially engaged and love to share pictures and tell stories, it can be very rewarding to talk directly with customers and hear their dog is doing well on Bil-Jac products. Like everything else in the digital space, it regularly changes and it’s not the answer to everything, but it is a great way to share the brand with consumers.

Years with company: Nine

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Being recognized by a major customer as Vendor of the Year, showing me that hard work and dedication pay off.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Adapting to my customers’ ever-changing needs while keeping up with the foods industry’s new guidelines.

April 2018

engaged in what we are selling is always fun! Contests and coming up with creative ideasto-be.

Always ask questions and learn other job skills outside your own department. It will help give you a more well-rounded career and appreciation for your co-workers.

Photography and traveling.

doing that meets (or doesn’t) consumer needs, it provides us with greater access to better understand our consumers. It also provides quality information to us that we didn’t have before. As a hiring manager, it also allows us access to a larger pool of qualified candidates and provides almost immediate access to professionals with whom we want to engage.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

I think my advice would be the same advice I’ve given for years: define how you are going to be different than the next person. Figure out how you can set yourself apart. In category management, I think the most valuable professional is one who looks at the data from a unique perspective; someone who does not state the obvious but who takes a new lens to the data (or multiple sets of data). Be prepared, anticipate the implications of what you’re about to say and, of course, hard work never hurts.

Hobbies:

Our family loves to travel, go to sporting events and good movies. I also love to cook.

It has made my selling easier because it reaches into their “homes.”

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Develop a passion for your job! If you do, you will never cease to grow.

Hobbies:

Traveling, rowing and hiking.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

DEBRA HALL TOMRA NORTH AMERICA Years with company:

volunteer, Michigan Abolitionist Project (MAP); volunteer, All Worthy of Love (AWOL).

Current position:

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

24

SVP of Sales

Education:

BBA with minor in Computer Information Systems and Finance, Oakland University: Executive Program in Strategic Sales Management, University of Chicago (awarded Best in Class)

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Past member, Michigan Recycling Coalition; past member, Rotary International; member, Michigan Grocers Association; member, Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers; member, Michigan Soft Drink Association; member, Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesaler Association;

There have been many step-changes in my career thus far. As environmental policies change and people are more informed about the crisis ahead of us in respect to protecting our planet, Tomra has been able to adapt to these changes on a global scale. Several years ago, our global CEO provided a TED Talk where he described how the world population and consumer habits are changing. Each year, we are using what it takes our planet 1.5 years to reproduce. This rate is not sustainable. I am proud to be a part of an organization committed to reducing this rate through advanced technology and proper stewardship.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Convincing people that you really never “throw away” your trash. A fair amount of trash ends up in landfills and our water system. There are ways to recycle and reuse our resources, but consumers and industry will need to come together and realize there is a price to do, or not

JANE HARPOLE C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS Years with company: 14

Current position: Director of Dairy

Education:

Bachelor’s, University of Iowa

Professional and volunteer affiliations: Member, Network of Executive Women.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

When we made the choice to come and work for C&S Wholesale Grocers 14 years ago. Moving from Texas to New England was a big change for our family, who embraced the move as an adventure. C&S has offered me challenges and growth opportunities that have expanded my knowledge and business acumen in my career in the grocery industry.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is trying not to get lost in the everyday details and to stay focused on making time for the development of our team members, who are the future leaders in our industry.

BETSY HARRIS HWY PARTNERS Years with company: 31

Current position: Co-President

Education:

BA, Brown University

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Broker advisory committee, National Confectioners Association; Sweets and Snacks Expo Committee; co-chairman of the board, Capital Good Fund (CGF) Providence, Rhode Island (CGF provides loans and financial counseling to underserved communities).

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Our original territory was New England, but as the business changed we expanded our footprint to cover the Northeast. We now have four offices–New England, Upstate New York, Metro New York and Mid-Atlantic. Every one of our markets is different, and our local expertise is key to our success.

As we grow, we are striving to continue to be close to our customers while streamlining our back-end processes and providing the services that our customers and clients need to be successful in the competitive marketplace. So I believe that maintaining the unique character of each market and becoming more efficient as an organization requires a careful balance.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

I don’t think that social media has helped or hindered my job, but it has certainly changed

KATHY HAYDEN DANONEWAVE Years with company: Seven

Current position:

VP of Customer Business Solutions

Education:

BS in Marketing

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

NFRA board; NFRA Promotions Committee chair; formerly Youth Group Support Committee assistant chair at Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Building out the East Coast sales organization for WhiteWave during my first six years with the company has been the most rewarding time to date in my career. The 20-plus years that I spent learning and developing under great mentors at both Ralston Purina and Pepsi helped me to develop the skill sets needed to successfully manage through the challenges

of this role at WhiteWave. During my tenure running the East, I was responsible for finding and opening a multi-functional sales office, acquiring and developing talent and building executive-level partnerships through joint business planning with our customers. Throughout the six years our team was successful in doubling our business in the region, and we were a top developer of talent for the sales organization.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

In my current role, the most challenging aspect is defining “ways of working” as we bring two organizations together post-acquisition.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media is an enabler if used correctly. Admittedly we all need to continue to learn how to maximize the strength of social media while coaching our teams to utilize it for the right purpose; building brands, maximizing its use for education while being cautious and minimize its use for your own personal social engagement. The biggest challenge with social media is speed to information does not always result in accurate reporting of the facts.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Continue to hold true to your values in how you “show up” to work, how you engage

TEVERA DOOLEY HERRERA STONYFIELD Years with company: Seven

Current position:

career?

Spending time alongside my grandfather at his jewelry store. Through his example he taught me that success comes from building genuine relationships.

Director of Sales, Grocery-East

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Bachelor’s in Marketing & Management, Bentley University

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Education:

Competition.

to do, the right thing. Technology has made it possible to mine for resources in a sustainable format, whether it is for food production, materials recovery or through post-consumer consumption. We, as stewards of the planet, need to be engaged.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has made it easier for us to connect with the consumer. Through this connection, we can share the global efforts that are being made to help protect our planet. We were also able to launch our rewards program that provides additional incentives for recycling.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Understand your weaknesses and look for ways to overcome them. People will follow someone who can lead by example and, as humans, we all have flaws. We need to work each day to improve ourselves and be better than the person we were yesterday.

Hobbies:

Spending time with my family and friends and cooking.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Go for the golden ring, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Your career will be built on the mistakes that you learn from and the accomplishments that you make, so embrace both.

Hobbies:

One of my primary interests is reading or listening to audio books. I love reading and listening; my favorite categories are self-improvement, business and fiction books. I also spend time oil painting and gardening–oil painting in the winter months and gardening in the summer. Vacationing in the Midwest with my family is my favorite week of year.

the way consumers shop. They learn about new products from a blogger; they use digital coupons targeted at them; and they are making fewer trips to conventional stores. It is up to the industry to engage them where they are!

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

I believe that the skillset to be successful in our business has changed. It is still very important to be able to build personal relationships with customers and clients, but to be successful in this business, an up-and-coming professional needs more tools. They need to be able to use and understand the data, the market and the trends to find thoughtful solutions for both the customer and the clients.

Hobbies:

Tennis, travel and biking.

with key stakeholders and in the choices that you make throughout your career on which organization(s) and leader(s) you choose to work for as you develop your career. I would also recommend that you are “patient.” My career path is not typical for this industry because of my inability to move geographically, but yet I was successful in advancing my career. While realizing that is not the norm, my husband and I made personal choices to allow both of us to successfully develop our careers, which caused me to be patient but also willing to take on new challenges, projects and opportunities that helped me develop professionally. This ultimately prepared me for the leadership roles I have been honored to take on over the last eight years in my career.

Hobbies:

In a dual-working household, our hobbies have focused more on spending time with our children during “off work hours,” cheering them and helping them grow and develop in their sports, church and school activities. Now that both of them are in college and we are in the process of moving to Colorado, my husband and I are looking forward to spending time hiking, golfing, kayaking and becoming involved in a new church in Colorado. Outside of outdoor fun, my daughter and I love to bake together, especially at Christmas.

your digital profile and professionalism across all platforms. In my sales role it’s fun to see the interaction with our customers and hear the experiences they have with our brand. We can learn so quickly from direct feedback.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Always be open to feedback, advice and coaching. Have a positive approach and attitude towards your job and all associates. Keep your resume updated.

Social media allows for an “always on” approach to networking, and it’s important to manage

Hobbies:

Years with company:

chair of Domestic Violence Crisis Center in Connecticut.

Current position:

Linking up with a mentor who has continued to believe in me and been a champion throughout my career.

Social media has absolutely helped us evolve and stay on the latest trends. Using social media enables business leaders to keep abreast of, and interact with, our consumers, customers, partners and other key stakeholders—as well as key trends and events. This is all critical to helping Unilever achieve the goals laid out in our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.

I love challenges and learning something new. No matter what job I do, I make sure there is a challenge to help keep me curious.

Stay true to yourself by living your purpose and bringing that to work every day. Know the legacy you want to leave and lead with both your head and your heart.

Do you have a defining moment of your

WENDY HERRICK UNILEVER 20

VP of Supply Chain, Go to Market, Unilever North America

Education:

BS in Chemical Engineering

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA); vice

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Years with company: 20

Current position: VP of Operations

Education: York College

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Member of Shop! Association of Retailers, volunteers for church activities, served on the Board of Deacons, help and participate in Trion’s many community events.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

First, growing up as an Iowa farm girl grounded me with Midwestern values and a diligent

Traveling, skiing, cooking and being a mom to my new son, Nicolaso.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Hobbies:

VONDA HOWELL TRION INDUSTRIES

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April 2018

work ethic. Second, an earlier “chief of staff” role supporting Trion’s staff level officers in running the company. Lastly, the opportunity to manage Trion’s Sample Department, allowing me to master Trion’s extensive product line, satisfying each request from diverse customers searching for outfitting solutions and specifications in wire, plastic and shelf management.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Listening, helping and encouraging people to reach their potential, while combining all talents towards the greater good. One must define the culture of the company and build towards our goal. At Trion, our original founder defined that goal by saying he’d like “to have the best factory in the world making what we make and have a lot of fun creating it.”

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

I find social media to be both a positive and a negative. The key is to find the balance. It is a great way to communicate quickly and efficiently. But it can require large amounts of time reading and following up on responses. I personally prefer the personal phone call and the

Scuba diving and underwater photography.

face-to-face interaction.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

In order to achieve personal fulfillment, care about the job you are undertaking and the people with whom you are working. Do the right thing even if it is difficult and perform the tasks to the best of your ability, which in turn builds integrity and ultimately provides influence. One thing I try to live by is the quote from John Wooden, a well-known coach born and raised in America’s heartland: “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

Hobbies:

Hiking trails located in the Pocono Mountains. Touring other family-owned businesses in the area, such as Yuengling Brewery (who knew porter beer was high in iron?!). Reading historical literature. Watching the History Channel, especially the Viking series playing to my Nordic background. Cooking and baking for family.

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38

Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

LINDSEY INSERRA INSERRA SUPERMARKETS Years with company:

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Advisory Board of Montclair State University.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

10

Current position: VP of Health & Wellness

Education:

BS, Silver School of Social Work, NYU

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I am currently the Young Professionals Chair of the North East Board of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, Young Professionals co-chair at Hackensack Meridian Children’s Hospital, and serve on the boards of Table to Table, Pony Power, New Jersey Food Council, Friends of the Food Industry and the

Social media is one of the ways we communicate with our customers. We use Facebook to share news about our stores, feature special services and events as well as to provide information on our health and wellness programs. We have also begun to explore how best to incorporate Instagram into our communications program.

Establishing a wellness department and team of dedicated, community-based, registered retail dietitians that provide free in-store counseling services to our associates, our customers and the communities we serve is among my greatest achievements. Having my team and department recognized by the Retail Dietitian Business Association for best practices in retail grocery store programming is a new defining moment for my team and me.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Be bold with your goals and steadfast in your commitment to achieving them. Seek out mentors, be collaborative and never stop looking to improve and growing your business.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Hobbies:

The most challenging part of my position is managing, assisting and caring for all of the people who work for our company in all 22 stores and at the same time supporting all of the communities we serve. It is both humbling and inspiring to be part of a family business that is founded in service and commitment to all of the people we serve and work with.

My hobbies include volunteering, skiing, horseback riding and spending time with my family and dogs.

KRISTINA JACKSON DEAN FOODS Years with company:

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Seven

Current position:

Field Marketing Manager-North Region

Education:

BA in Communications and English

Professional and volunteer affiliations: Network of Executive Women.

spend several hours each day.

A defining moment in my career was being told I am viewed as a leader in the organization.

I pride myself on my drive, professionalism, positivity and resourcefulness. I lead by example with the strong belief that actions speak louder than words. At that point in my career, introspective assessment aligning with external perspective drove forward progress for my career goals.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Social media is an integral part of my job as it helps us to connect to consumers in a personal way and allows us to tell our story and provide useful content in a space where consumers

Hobbies:

My advice to upcoming professionals is to give 100 percent no matter the task. Being passionate and having a positive attitude is contagious and has a huge impact on self-drive and team morale. It’s important to have a future goal to work toward and a plan that will be a guide to help you reach that goal. Build a support system of people from peers to mentors, who can collaborate, advise and offer feedback as you advance.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

I love to run and crochet, as they both have meditative qualities that keep me balanced.

KATE JASPON DUNKIN’ BRANDS Years with company: 12

Current position: SVP, CFO

Education:

Being part of the team that took Dunkin’ Brands public in July 2011 and standing on the floor of NASDAQ as the first shares traded is something I will always remember. Attaining new roles this past year for two businesses I truly love and believe in; CFO at Dunkin’ Brands and board member and chairman of the Audit Committee at MOD Pizza has truly re-energized and refocused my career.

I try to remain below the radar on social media, given my role. I believe it is very easy for things to be taken out of context on social media, and it’s important to remember you represent not only yourself but your business when posting or responding to posts. I certainly pay attention, particularly to consumer comments regarding our business, which brings a true perspective of what goes on outside of our corporate headquarters.

Finding balance is definitely the most challenging part of my job. Whether it be across different segments of the business, among my direct reports or between family and work, it is always difficult to allocate time. There really is no such thing as work/life balance–each takes priority at different times.

Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient and enjoy the run. Remember leadership can be an action, not just a title.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

BS, Babson College

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Board member and Audit Committee chairman, MOD Pizza; director, BEAT NB ; licensed CPA, Massachusetts.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Hobbies:

I enjoy spending time with my husband and 9-year-old twins, running and CrossFit.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

ANTIONETTE “TONI” JUDY GIANT FOODS Years with company: Five

Current position: Regional VP

Education:

Ahold Delhaize Retail Academy, Harvard Business School, Signature Program, Walton Institute

Professional and volunteer affiliations: Suited for Change; Signature Circle Ambassador.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

My defining moment was when I finally paused and put my priorities of faith, family and work in order.

I accepted a three-month assignment that was 1,000 miles away from home. The job kept expanding, and I lost my priorities and let the job consume me and take priority. My three-month assignment turned into an 18-month assignment, and due to my ambition and determination to be viewed as successful, along with my inability to say no, I only made it

home six times.

I went home for a weekend to find that I had lost what meant the most to me, my family.

I was so blinded with the job and my ambition for success, I didn’t see it coming. I decided right then that my priorities were not in order and I needed to change. I returned back to my job, gave them notice and headed home.

Once home, I took the time to truly reflect on my priorities. I took the time to do everything I never had time to do. My defining moment was a huge gift that allowed me to evaluate my priorities, reset my values and become truly successful. Once I returned to the job market, my principles were different. Money was no longer a driver–I had boundaries and priorities I would no longer sacrifice.

I have reached a level of career success as a leader. It is no longer about my advancement but about how I can advance others. I now have the humbling pleasure of supporting 85 retail grocery stores that employ over 8,600 non-exempt associates and over 300 exempt management associates. My team and I are constantly looking for talent both internally and externally to create an innovative, diverse and inclusive workplace.

The most rewarding moments in leadership come to us in a flash, those small windows of opportunity to be able to influence and make a difference in someone’s life. Be bold, kind,

courageous and do not take yourself or others too seriously. It’s a time to share my work and life experiences with our future leaders to bring out their very best and to ensure they take the time to enjoy the journey.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Maintaining/gaining market share in a highly competitive market.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has ignited all areas of the business to advance in digital growth.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Listen to input and feedback from your team throughout all areas of the business - customers, direct reports and colleagues. Have a common goal - one that is clearly communicated, reachable and with the tools to achieve. As leaders, we must remove barriers and prioritize.

A leader never wavers on their core values, so people know they can count on you. It’s also important to show that if you make a mistake, admit it, learn from it and readjust.

Hobbies:

I feel it is important to stay healthy, both physically and spiritually. To be at my best both professionally and personally.

KRISTIN KANTANY J. POLEP DISTRIBUTION CO. Years with company:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Current position: Director of Marketing

Education:

Bachelor’s in Communication

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

My first day back to work from maternity leave. Prior to having children, I would look at other women successfully navigating their way through the corporate world and maintain the “mom life” and always wondered what the key to their

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

The marketing department at J. Polep has expanded quickly within the last few years by offering our customers more value-added services. We assist our customers with custom in-store digital and print signage but also offer in-store rebranding, web design and manage social media accounts. With this new challenge of a heavy workload, we have a talented, hardworking team behind our customers, looking for ways to grow their in-stores sales and improve their margin dollar.

Be a kind and dependable employee within the workplace. Seems simple, right? Sometimes, it’s easy for manners to go right out the window when a tense situation arises, but what will set you apart from others is to be the employee that always remains professional, positive and punctual in all situations, whether it be during meetings, team building events and/or an outside work event.

Hobbies:

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

I enjoy spending every available second I have with my husband, James, and our two kids, Claire (4) and Jack (2).

Social media has played an integral part in our industry. It has allowed our customers to connect with their targeted demographics while promoting the top-selling lines within their

REEM KASSIS COOK/WRITER

JOY KELLER IMPERIAL DISTRIBUTORS

BA in International Studies and BS in Economics), University of Pennsylvania; MBA, Wharton; MSc in Social Psychology, The London School of Economics.

One

Education:

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

This may sound strange, but it was the birth of my first daughter. After she was born I left my business career and it was during my time at home with her that I ended up switching to a writing career, which culminated in the publication of my critically acclaimed and award-winning cookbook, ”The Palestinian Table.” What started as my desire to safeguard our Palestinian culinary heritage for my own children ended up becoming a book with which I hope to preserve our rich history for many generations to come.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Being self-employed and working from home with two young toddlers makes it challenging to find the time to do everything. Especially since much of the work I do requires personal initiative and time to sit quietly and think, I find myself struggling mostly to find that time.

page_26-58 WOI.indd 38

stores. It continues to build stronger relationships between manufacturers and customers in creating in-store contests and/or promoting new items on the market.

success was. I quickly learned that raising a family while living a successful career involves having balance. Do not be afraid of making tradeoffs and live your life in the moment.

Three

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has helped me spread the word about my book in a way that would not have been as easy or possible without it. With that said, I find that social media can be a dual-edged sword because it oftentimes draws time away from focusing on what you are doing to share things with people in a timely manner. It also leads people to focus on projecting a certain image to others and working towards that image rather than concentrating on the things one really wants to be doing.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Do your research and don’t give up. You will face many “nos” and closed doors in your career, but don’t give up. However, the only way to intelligently not give up is to know what you’re up against and always present the best you have to offer, which become easier when you do your research and are aware of what is going on around you, what is required, and what you can contribute.

Hobbies:

April 2018

In addition to very much enjoying cooking for my family and friends, I love reading both for myself for pleasure and to my two daughters. I also enjoy traveling and dancing (even if it’s to a Disney sound track with my two little girls!).

Years with company:

trends of the customer and watching for things that fall outside of their normal behavior. It’s a balancing act – I don’t want to restrict sales, but I need to protect the company from loss.

Current position:

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Credit Manager

I now have access to more information regarding our customers. Before, you could only run a credit report to obtain information. Now with all the new social media sites, it’s much easier to gather information.

Education:

Paralegal, Becker College, Worcester, Massachusetts

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Always do the right thing! Go the extra mile, and don’t take shortcuts.

Hobbies:

National Association of Credit Managers (NACM).

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

When I was selected to travel to Europe to train our European offices on a new ERP System. The IT director and I set up all the training sessions and successfully completed the training in four days. I was very proud to be selected for this task, and it made me aware that all my hard work had not gone unnoticed.

I love to be outside hiking, biking, walking, swimming, kayaking and gardening, to name a few.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Risk. Knowing when to allow a customer to go over their assigned credit line or shipping on an account when they are past due. Always monitoring the

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40

Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

VICTORIA KIDDER HARPOON–MASSACHUSETTS BAY BREWING CO. Years with company: Two

Current position: UFO Brand Manager

Education:

BSBA, University of Richmond; MBA, F. W. Olin School of Business

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

While UFO has been a line of beers for almost 20 years, in 2017 I spearheaded a rebrand and creation of a digital footprint. Seeing the entire thing come to life was extremely rewarding.

The brand is my baby!

What is the most challenging part of your job?

There are many different perspectives to consider when managing a brand. One of the most challenging aspects of my job is balancing stakeholder feedback while maintaining the overarching brand vision.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Being able to get immediate consumer feedback on a new product release or a campaign has

MARIANNE KIRKEGAARD CSM BAKERY SOLUTIONS Years with company: Seven

Current position: President and CEO

Education:

Bachelor’s in Economy, Southern Danish University of Kolding; Master’s in Foreign Trade, Aarhus School of Business; Executive MBA, Scandinavian International Management Institute

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Board of directors, AAK, a Swedish-Danish company producing high value-added vegetable oils and fats; board of Dansk Supermarket group, the market leader in retail in Denmark.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

There have been many, but if I were to choose one, that would be when at the fairly young

AMANDA KLANE YASSO INC. Years with company: Nine

Current position: Co-CEO/Co-founder

Education:

BS in Business Management, Providence College

Professional and volunteer affiliations: Game On! Foundation.

career?

Do you have a defining moment of your

age of 27 I was trusted to assume a sizeable sales leadership role at Unilever. It was in the food division, and there had never been as young a leader for that division nor had there ever been a woman. I had been talking to my line manager about getting more real leadership experience, and I am forever grateful he had the courage he had, as this was a very controversial decision at the time. He is still a good friend of mine and has since admitted that he, on purpose, wanted to push me outside my comfort zone–the zone you bring with all your intellectuality and a certain “know it all” attitude from university. And that is exactly what it was. When meeting the sales organization for the first time, all members being men and older than my own dad, I am sure they wanted to test me, and all I could do was to park the university degree in the corner, roll up my sleeves and fight for trust and respect through different means. I grew to love that job and, still today, it is probably the most important learning I have ever had, all thanks to a very brave boss. I named my son after him, and it turned out that he, too, is brave and has a mind of his own.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The biggest challenge is not having 50 hours in a day! In a global role, it’s difficult to be

I was 23 years old and I decided to leave the comfort of my first job out of college at a food brokerage industry to team up with my best friend and start a frozen Greek yogurt brand.

People thought we were nuts! Both of us were Division 1 athletes who always had a love for quality food brands–and a passion for ice cream! No one at the time was offering a portfolio of products that allowed consumers to have the best of both worlds–indulgence and a “better for you” ingredient and nutritional panel–so we took on the challenge.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging but also exciting part of my job is the fast-paced, competitive landscape we live in. Being the “David” brand in a sea of “Goliaths” in this category can pose a challenge not only in the fight for retail space, but also in the amount of money we can spend on educating consumers about what Yasso is and why they should buy it.

HOLIDAY DMITRI KUMAR ODDFELLOWS ICE CREAM CO. Years with company: Five

Current position: Co-founder

Education:

BS in Journalism, Northwestern University; MA in Social Science, University of Chicago; MS in International Affairs, The New School in New York City.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I try to look for opportunities where I can create positive change and give back to the community. When we started our ice cream business, my husband and I decided to donate a portion of every sale to hunger relief. With our partnership with the Food Bank for New York City, we’re proud as a small business to provide assistance to New Yorkers facing hunger.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Navigating parenthood while growing a family business. Five years ago, when my husband and I started OddFellows, we also welcomed a pair of twins into the world.

MEREDITH KUMPON MAINES PAPER AND FOOD SERVICE Years with company: Five

Current position:

VP of Brand Strategy and Development

Education:

BS in Human Development and Master’s in Public Administration (MPA), Binghamton University; Program for Leadership Development (PLD), Harvard University.

career?

Do you have a defining moment of your

The past three years have been incredibly impactful since the trajectory of my career path was rapid and changed quickly during this course of time. I had a choice to jump in and see where this path would lead even though I felt trepidation with all the unknowns, or stay where I was in the comfort of the predictable. I chose the former and haven’t looked back.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Learning to balance my work with family. Luckily, I work in an environment that supports me with the challenges that come with being a full-time employee as well as a full-time mother.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

One aspect of social media that has helped my job is the ability to network and connect with colleagues in other companies. Social media has allowed me to stay connected to the hundreds of students from around the world that I met at the Program for Leadership

JULIE LAPHAM POPZUP POPCORN Years with company: Three

Current position: Founder and CMO

Education:

BFA in Graphic Communications (Summa Cum Laude), University of the Arts

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

New Hampshire Grocers Association; NHSBDC; GATHER (Seacoast Family Food Pantry); The Music Hall, Portsmouth.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Early in my career in natural foods development, I could not find quality healthy ingredients, and I was not willing to compromise my product integrity. A colleague told me that there is a solution to every problem if you just keep looking at it in different ways. His advice gave me the tenacity and confidence to keep searching when I was ready to give up. This mantra has resonated throughout my career, and I am proud to see clean, natural products that I developed still current and selling strong.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Creating a simple, strong marketing program for our brand. Our core product, the patentpending Popzup Popper, was accurately labeled a “disruptive product” by Gregory Stoller of Boston University Questrom School of Business. The challenge is to clearly and concisely communicate its core function and features and to make it enticing and understandable to consumers. We constantly need to reassess and make changes accordingly.

MARGOT LAPOINTE C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS Years with company:

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Current position:

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

One

VP of Corporate Projects

Education:

BS in Organizational Management; Babson College Executive Leadership Program; Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

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Board member, C&S Charities Foundation.

When I realized that my individual accomplishments mattered far less and truly feeling satisfied mentoring and teaching young professionals and providing opportunities for their growth and development.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Time management and work-life balance.

April 2018

definitely helped my job. Consumers can be extremely honest and continue to be one of our most important data points.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Step out of your comfort zone when you’re just starting out your career. Try new things, figure out where your passion lies and don’t be afraid of failure–it’s a learning opportunity.

Hobbies:

I played golf in college, so I still love hitting the course on the weekend with friends and my family. Besides that, I love trying out new restaurants in Boston and spending time with my mini Goldendoodle, Bogey.

everywhere as much as you would like. I would love to be physically present in more of our geographies than I’m able to do today. Thankfully, we have some great leaders throughout the company, but it would still be great to spend even more time with them and our many other colleagues.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

It has definitely helped! It makes it much easier to network and stay current with my contacts and the industry. It can also be a useful learning tool if used properly.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Be courageous and authentic. Don’t be afraid to take risks, make the tough calls when you have to and stay true to yourself.

Hobbies:

I’m an avid runner and this year I had the opportunity to run the New York Marathon, which was a great experience. I also enjoy time with my family and, of course, I love good wine! (Is that a hobby?)

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Being a Millennial, I think social media has helped my job. Social media has changed how brands operate and provided a new platform for marketing where, sure, budget matters, but content is king. It has allowed us to directly interact with consumers and both give and get information.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Find something you are passionate about and go do it; don’t wait for the perfect opportunity to come to you. Life is short, so make sure you are doing something you love every day and don’t forget to balance work and life. And every day demands a little dessert!

Hobbies:

I spend my free time hiking, biking, skiing, rock climbing and traveling.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

It’s most definitely helped. We love using social media to spread awareness and connect with a broader audience outside of New York City. Our brand has more than 39,000 followers on Instagram.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Be generous–support other women in your profession.

Hobbies:

World exploration, reading, hiking and martial arts.

Development at Harvard University. This media outlet provides a channel to reach out and connect with professionals and experts in all different areas.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Find a job you love to do. When you enjoy your work then what you do daily will derive from a place of passion and dedication. Always challenge yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks.

We will not grow in our careers if we are not constantly learning something new.

Hobbies:

In my off time, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has been critical in helping to meet our marketing challenge as outlined above.

It gives us direct and immediate contact with our customers. I encourage our followers to give me their thoughts, good or bad.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Know your strengths and enable others to give support for your weaknesses. Owning or running any business requires you to be an expert at everything–sales, purchasing, manufacturing, marketing, hiring, financials...Stick to what you are good at and bring in professionals to make up the difference.

Hobbies:

I love to paint, take long walks on the beach with my husband and dog, share a microbrew with my sons and play with my granddaughter.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Take risks; don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Invest in yourself and continue to pursue your professional development goals.

Find the time to do the cool stuff you want to do.

Hobbies:

Entertaining family and friends, snowshoeing, hiking, furniture restoration and hobby farming.

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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

April 2018

KIM LECHNER RETAIL BUSINESS SERVICES, AN AHOLD DELHAIZE USA COMPANY Years with company: Three

Current position:

SVP of Finance Business Services

Education:

BA; Canadian CPA (formerly Chartered Accountant); U.S. CPA

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Founder and president of PETBUCKs, a nonprofit organization for rescue animals.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I can’t say I’d call any one moment defining. More so, certain roles have played massive roles in my learning and growing both professionally and as a person. These would have been the roles that provided the biggest transformational and problem-solving opportunities, such as working to integrate complex processes, systems and diverse cultures as part of major transformation and integration efforts.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

I love to drive change and to develop people and teams and to evolve skill sets in order to continue to improve supporting a business. This is a constant challenge in any business and required to remain competitive and relevant.

LISA ANN DE LIMA MOM’S ORGANIC MARKET

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

If I had any advice for upcoming professionals, it would be to take a long-term view of the degree of change in all work fields and to prepare to continue to retool and reskill, as well as to always focus on leadership, as this becomes more and more important throughout one’s career.

Hobbies:

Owning three dogs, Koi fish keeper, hiking, the great outdoors, photography, art collecting and singing.

Years with company:

Standards Board (NOSB) and chair of the Handling Subcommittee.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Current position:

When I graduated from college, I came to Washington, D.C., to intern at an environmental nonprofit as a steppingstone to a permanent position in the nonprofit. I was working parttime evenings and weekends at MOM’s as a cashier/stocker. The day after I was offered a permanent position at a D.C.-based environmental nonprofit, the owner of MOM’s offered me a promotion to grocery manager and the opportunity to open MOM’s second store location (we now have 19). Accepting the position at MOM’s was a complete change of course of for me, while also allowing me to stick to my values, and is one that has shaped my career in amazing ways.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

19

VP of Grocery

Education:

BA in Environmental Studies and Political Science, UVM; MBA, Johns Hopkins

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Currently serving a five-year term on the National Organic

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

MELANIE LINKEVICH FOOD LINKS INC. Years with company: 15

Current position: Owner

Education:

BA, University of Rhode Island

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Toys for Tots; Tides Family Service; Bishop Hendricken High School; Coventry Futsal Club; Western Coventry PTA; board member (secretary), Hawkcrest Homeowners Association.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Before signing on to represent a seafood company, I was invited to visit Asia to tour its shrimp farms and processing facilities. To say I was impressed is an understatement. We all have heard of peeling sheds and lack of sanitization in other parts of the world, which although may be true in many cases, it was not with this company. The state-of-the-art technology, integrity, cleanliness and sustainability was one of the reasons I decided to work with its team. The defining moment was meeting the founder and him telling me not to worry about selling a program but to educate the buyers who educate the customers about why their all-natural chemical-free shrimp stands above the competition…and then the sales will follow.

The professional ethics and passion is what we should all strive for in achieving success. It’s about doing the right thing.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Working to successfully scale and grow a business while maintaining our culture.

I think social media has allowed tribes of all kinds–in my case, dedicated organic consumers–to come together in an easier way than possible in the past, and has provided a platform from which we at MOM’s can share our values with customers.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Stay true to your values, do what you enjoy, and be authentic.

Managing time and travel effectively.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

It has definitely helped–having the ability to showcase new item launches and keep up on the ever-changing industry.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

I am currently mentoring my nephew for his high school senior project. Each week my goal is to cover different topics of sales and marketing through hands-on experience. More than half of our lives are spent working. I believe that whatever path you chose professionally should be something you love and can grow from.

Hobbies:

Traveling, reading, spending time with my family and attending all sports events.

ASHLEY MACLEARN RETAIL BUSINESS SERVICES, AN AHOLD DELHAIZE COMPANY Years with company: Seven

Current position:

Director of Replenishment

Education:

BA in English Literature/Political Science, University of Nevada, Reno; MA in English Literature, University of Vermont

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

March of Dimes; membership co-chair, Women’s Business Resource Group.

Do you have a defining moment of your

career?

Early in my career as an analyst, my supervisor asked me to personally give a verbal update to a senior leader on an error made in my department. While I was not personally responsible for this error, this experience taught me the importance of acknowledging mistakes that have been made and making a personal connection. It helped introduce me to a leader I might not have met otherwise, helped me learn how to succinctly summarize a complex issue, and gave me the opportunity to prepare and deliver a plan of action.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Working in an operational environment, supply chain often runs outside of the typical 8 a.m.-5 p.m. workday. As a mother to a young child, balancing the needs of work outside of the office and being fully present as a mom can often be challenging, especially if any sort of crisis situation arises. If I do need to work outside of the normal workday, I have become more intentional of stepping into a physical space that I can give my full attention to the

KATHLEEN MAHONEY SPARTANNASH CO. Years with company: 13

Current position:

President-MDV and Chief Legal Officer

Education:

BA, Keene State College; JD, Syracuse University College of Law

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Member, board of directors, Honor and Remember; trustee,

SpartanNash Foundation; American Logistics Association; National Association of Corporate Directors; Best Lawyers Advisory Board; National Association of Corporate Secretaries.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

In 2004, I was approached by Nash Finch Co. and asked to join the company as VP, deputy general counsel. I had some trepidation, as I had never worked professionally for a corporation. I am so glad that I did, as I have had tremendous opportunities to develop my business acumen, which ultimately led to my being asked to lead our military division.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Finding the time to tackle all of the items on my “to do” list. Thankfully I have phenomenal teams that make sure we are always delivering on our commitments and exceeding our

NATALIE MENZA-CROWE, MS, RD WAKEFERN FOOD CORP. Years with company: 13

Current position:

Director of Health and Wellness

Education:

BS in Nutritional Science, Rutgers University; dietetic internship and Master’s of Science in Nutrition, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Member, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; chair, Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Health and Wellness Council.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

When I hired our first retail dietitian for ShopRite in 2006–that marked the first step along

One

Current position:

Director of Brand Management

Education:

BA in Communication/Journalism, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

While there are many projects and general successes that were defining for me, taking on my first leadership role with the responsibility of managing people was most notable.

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How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Although I probably should learn more about using social media, I just haven’t dived into that realm yet in the career-building space.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Always ask questions from a place of sincere curiosity. I have found that every person I’ve worked with has an incredible amount of information and expertise that they can’t wait to share with someone who is genuinely interested.

Hobbies:

Reading, baking and spending time with my family.

customers’ expectations, both internal and external. They make my job easy.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has not had much influence to date, but that is sure to change.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

You need to be open to opportunities, even if they are outside your comfort zone. Be eager to learn new things while being mindful that you must always deliver your best work. If you make a mistake, own it, but don’t let it define you.

Hobbies:

I love to travel, cook, read and spend time with my family.

Wakefern/ShopRite’s journey and mission to provide our customers with personalized nutrition education at the point of purchase with the goal to help them eat well and improve their overall well-being. Over the years, our program has continued to evolve and grow. Currently we have over 100 registered dietitians covering 140 ShopRite stores in the Northeast, plus additional corporate dietitians on staff.

It has allowed us to introduce our team of retail dietitians and communicate our company’s overall health and wellness mission. Additionally, we leverage our social platforms to share small bits of wellness information that customers can incorporate into their everyday lives, such as a healthy dinner idea, a quick and nutritious breakfast on the go, or information about upcoming wellness events at our store and in our local communities.

One of the biggest challenges in my job is that the business landscape in which we operate is constantly changing. So we have to be ready to adapt to meet the evolving needs of our customers, especially where their health and wellness needs and preferences are concerned.

In just over 10 years, we’ve grown our corporate and retail staff of nutrition professionals exponentially, and we are constantly expanding our health and wellness offerings to give our consumers the best in class when it comes to these types of products and services.

Have a vision and set goals for yourself and for your career path. Revisit these goals often and stay focused on your path. Listen and learn from others as much as you can and always keep an open mind.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Hobbies:

In my free time, I love to spend time with family and friends. I also love to exercise and stay active, everything from kickboxing and running to yoga and Pilates.

Social media has helped us connect with a wider audience across multiple demographics.

APRIL MONK GIANT FOOD STORES Years with company:

work needed. That way, when I step out of that space, I can fully give all of my attention back to my daughter. However, the demands of a 24/7 operation and being the best mother I can be will always be a challenge!

Identifying and using teachable moments, building on strengths and then seeing firsthand the positive impact that can have on a team member’s professional development and career was a powerful and defining point in my career. It is exceptionally rewarding and personally fulfilling to help others grow.

We live in an ever-changing digital world, so it’s vital to keep up on trends and best practices within the digital space. If managed well, social media can be a powerful tool that connects people, ideas and products within seconds. It allows us to share meaningful stories about our brand to form deeper relationships and ignite a two-way conversation.

Remaining focused on critical priorities. Each day is different and brings new opportunities where you have to challenge yourself to evaluate what’s most important to the business, while remaining flexible to shift and refocus as needed. The daily complexities and challenges of an evolving industry must be balanced, but I am fortunate to be supported by a talented (and fun) team that is always eager to assist with the most pressing needs.

Always be mindful of your personal legacy and how it impacts the story people will tell once you’ve moved on from a role. Take time to define your personal brand–how you want to be viewed as a leader–and strive to reflect that each day in a meaningful way.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Hobbies:

With two kids, you will likely find me cheering on the sidelines of a youth sporting event or spending time with family and friends (hopefully outside!).

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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

JULIE MORALES GIANT FOOD STORES Years with company: One

Current position: VP of Finance

Education:

Bachelor’s in Accountancy, New Mexico State University

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

CPA, state of Pennsylvania; member, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants; board member, Pennsylvania Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

JULIET MORAN CHOBANI Years with company: Three

Current position:

Director of Sales-Natural Channel

Education:

Associate’s in Liberal Arts Humanities; BS in Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude)

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Volunteering and giving back to charitable causes is something that is very important to me. I have literally climbed mountains to raise money for charity. For the last five years, I have supported Spectrum Youth and Family Services, an amazing organization that provides emergency shelter, food and services to at-risk and homeless teenagers. For the last two years, I have also been a mentor to a young woman who lost her mother to a drug overdose.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Four

Current position:

Director of Marketing Operations

Education:

BS, Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, Massachusetts; MBA, Boston University.

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Ad Club of Boston; Boston Chamber of Commerce; Garden Writers of America; University of Massachusetts Club Board of Governors

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

The most challenging part of my job is ensuring that the financial insights my team and I

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and, in particular, my grandchildren. I also enjoy camping, reading, traveling and quilting.

Less than one

Current position: Account Manager

Education:

Bachelor’s, Siena College

Do you have a defining moment of your

Four

Current position: Buyer

Education:

Associate’s in Fashion, Marketing and Merchandising, Berkeley College, New Jersey

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The moment I knew that I was truly meant to be in this

Seven

Current position: CEO

Education:

High school diploma

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I have been a mentor for Babson College’s WIN Lab. I am registered as a public speaker with Big Speak in Los Angeles.

I give a lot of time to women’s groups and student groups discussing business and life and how to make them both work together. Quitting is never an option! I was also nominated and a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017. We host our “A Taste of Home Cupcake Jar Pledge Drive” every November, through which we send cupcake jars to service men and women overseas during

competitive trends, monitor the competition and share brand updates. It’s an incredible tool, and I couldn’t imagine working without it. Curating my newsfeed is something I do regularly to minimize distractions.

Moving to a position in field sales was a game-changer for me. It expanded my network incredibly and provided me with the opportunity to work collaboratively with talented, smart and passionate people at a multitude of different retailers while proudly representing and growing great brands.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Prioritizing strategically to get the most out of my meetings and interactions requires careful planning and discipline. Over the course of my career, I worked for dynamic, fast-paced CPG companies. It is very challenging to meet the immediate demands and at the same time set the company and customers up for long-term future growth. That balancing act is something that is a constant challenge. It’s not all about work, either. For me to be my best at work, I need to feel happy and healthy, so nurturing relationships with my friends and loved ones is critical to overall long-term career success.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has helped me nurture relationships, stay up to date on industry news and

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I worked on a team that created the content and physical space for an interactive learning center on Ellis Island. The goal was to tell the story of the people who came there on their way to new lives in America. The core team was diverse and included IT and marketing/ advertising, with guidance and final approval from the National Park Service. The ideas and energy generated by this group was amazing. As a young professional I had not been involved with a group so driven. Disagreements were resolved quickly. Challenges were solved collaboratively. The success of that team and how the people, the creative process and the timeline were managed has stayed with me. I value diverse teams. As the author Ken Blanchard says, “None of us is as smart as all of us.”

What is the most challenging part of your job?

career?

When I worked for Avon, I coached an independent contractor to reach her goal of making over $100,000 a year. I realized the reward of inspiring and mentoring someone else far exceeds the self-promotion and recognition.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The challenge in this position is timing–to make sure from start to finish the project is on track.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

business was when I first attended the Sweets & Snacks show in Chicago. The vendors, the product, the entire work environment brought out an energy in me that I didn’t know existed. I felt at that moment, this is it–I have found my passion.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is having to leave my young family behind when I have to travel. I absolutely love the experiences that I attain from each trip; but not having the ability to see my family at the end of the day is hard.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media is a huge help. Everyone can see what products are out there and who is carrying the item and learn customers’ feedback instantly. There was one specific instance where I saw a product for sale at a certain retailer on my Facebook feed, an item I wasn’t shown.

the holidays. Every Friday is Pay-it-Forward Friday. We donate a $1 from every online sale to a different charity each week. This is very popular with our co-workers and our customers.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

There have been so many smaller defining moments, but if I had to choose one it would be the moment we agreed on a deal with Kevin O’Leary from “Shark Tank.” After we aired, the game was on, and since then there’s been no looking back.

Two

Current position:

Regional VP of Operations

Education:

BS in Business Administration

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Goodwill; various veteran and homelessness organizations.

Do you have a defining moment of your

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Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Be positive and don’t burn bridges; it is a small industry. It’s tempting to hop around to different jobs when things get tough, but there are lessons to be learned from sticking with companies during trying times. It builds character and skills. Have a short list of things you want to achieve, create a plan and go for it. Tap into your network for support, stay focused and believe in yourself.

Hobbies:

Each year, I dedicate 20 minutes a day or about two hours a week to learning a new pursuit.

I have done this each year for the last 13 years and over the years, I have learned a variety of skills including how to knit, crochet, unicycle, play the violin and train a dog in addition to several other fun things. My favorite by far is the unicycle and, no, I can’t ride the unicycle while playing the violin.

Building a new in-house design team with a diverse mix of talent, experience, energy and humor.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

We are active on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. These channels are vital to engage and inform our customers. LinkedIn has been an incredible resource.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Texts and emails have their place, but there is no substitute for talking to people. Pick up the phone and call when you need information. Stop by and see someone.

Hobbies:

I love hosting parties, dining out, planting flowers and traveling.

Social media speeds up the information on the consumer’s reaction to new product and new ideas to help our customers choose the correct product for their stores.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Always listen more than you talk; pick up the phone to avoid misunderstandings on text or email.

Hobbies:

Equestrian, yoga, hiking and spending time at the beach with my family.

Instantly, I reached out to the vendor to find out why I wasn’t made aware of this item.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

For anyone trying to succeed in this business, I advise you to follow your dreams and never give up. Just as was told to me, be confident in the decisions you make and know what you want. There will be good days and there will be bad days, but at the end of the day, make sure you love what you do. Being happy and loving what you do is the key to being successful.

Hobbies:

Spending time with family, friends, shopping, traveling and any and all activities with my 4-year-old daughter.

Pepperjam. The downside, of course, is when people abuse social media and try to bribe you or defame you in some way. We’ve been on television a lot, and because of that we’ve had our share of internet trolls. You just have to learn not to pay any attention to these folks. We have a really great feedback system, and we are very customer service friendly. All you can do is listen and then decide for yourself what’s working and what’s not.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Keeping product SKUs fresh while not straying too far away from our core competency. Also being patient. I want everything immediately. Obviously, growing a national brand takes time. That’s been the most difficult thing for me.

Yes. Surround yourself with people who know more than you. Listen and learn. Be prepared to work the hardest you’ve ever worked. Make sure every penny your business spends hurts.

Respect, appreciate and reward your fellow co-workers. Besides a loyal customer, they are your most valuable business asset. They are your brand ambassadors.

Social media is a funny thing. On one hand it’s an awesome marketing tool because it’s free.

You can reach a wide range of customers or do a really targeted marketing campaign. We’ve had a ton of success with Facebook ads, Google ad words and other affiliation programs like

I really enjoy boating on the ocean and I love my dogs (I have three Boston Terriers). I play the drums and ukulele. I love to travel. I’m learning Italian and hope someday to have a villa on the Amalfi Coast. Life has been really, really (wicked) good!

What is the most challenging part of your job?

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

WENDY OLIVER WEIS MARKETS Years with company:

Be willing to put in the time to learn your job and your industry. Be professional and, above all, be your authentic self!

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

TRACEY NOONAN WICKED GOOD CUPCAKES Years with company:

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Hobbies:

BETANIA NETO CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPS Years with company:

I use social media to keep a pulse on industry happenings and professionals that I have met along the way. LinkedIn was particularly useful to me, as I found my prior role with Stop & Shop on LinkedIn.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

STACEY MULLADY IMPERIAL DISTRIBUTORS Years with company:

provide are relevant and timely in an industry that is going through rapid change.

The defining moment of my career happened approximately 14 years ago when I was four years into my career in the retail grocery industry. After a stressful few months, I survived a workforce reduction with my previous employer. I was wondering how I, as a finance professional, could acquire skills that would help insulate me from another reduction that I might go through with any organization. During that time, I received a valuable piece of advice: “Don’t wait for your career to happen to you.” Thus began my 10-year journey to learn the retail grocery business–through operations, supply chain, merchandising and merchandising systems.

JANINE MUDGE STOP & SHOP Years with company:

April 2018

career?

Working for great leaders that took a vested interest in my development defined my career.

In addition, completing my degree and participating in various corporate educational opportunities were pivot points that advanced my career in a unique cross-functional way.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The lack of time is my biggest challenge. I interact with so many associates, and I’m driven to make a difference in their careers; however, having enough time is challenging. To compensate, I put a lot of pressure on myself to over-deliver on the moments I have with our store teams. Over the years, I’ve had to learn to hit the pause button to establish a better work/life balance.

Hobbies:

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

It absolutely has helped me. It keeps me connected with current and past associates and keeps networks alive. I’m able to keep track of their careers; that is a big motivator for me.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Be willing to learn, be a student of our industry, and embrace career moves that zigzag through your organization. Each career move or educational opportunity, big or small, will teach you something very valuable that you will tap back into as your career advances.

Hobbies:

Spending time with family, traveling the world and enjoying a sustainable lifestyle on my farm.

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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

NILDA OYOLA MAJESTIC DRUG CO. Years with company: 29

Current position: VP of Sales

Education:

BS in Business Administration; Buckley School of Public Speaking; Center for Creative Leadership; Executive Leadership Certificate, Harvard Kennedy School of Government; Executive Leadership Program, National Hispana Leadership Institute; Karrass School of Effective Negotiation

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Chair, Education Committee Board, National Puerto Rican Day Parade; member, Founder’s Circle of Latinas Leading Tomorrow; member, Health and Beauty Wellness Advisory Council, GMDC.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Yes, the defining moment in my career was when I was told, by a male counterpart, that I did not belong at his table. At the time I did not have a college degree. After that meeting, I applied to my local community college and began a journey that has allowed me both personal and educational growth—growth that includes a bachelor’s in business and the prestigious title of VP of sales.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is juggling my multiple responsibilities. Having started with Majestic nearly 30 years ago as a bilingual receptionist and moving up through the ranks to my current position as vice president of sales, I have mastered every aspect of this business. I have discovered that with all of this experience and knowledge comes the responsibly of making sure all departments run smoothly. Not always an easy task, but one that must be accomplished.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

ASHLI PACHECO AMERICA’S FOOD BASKET Years with company: Two

Current position:

HR Administrator & Social Media

Education:

BBA in Fashion Merchandising, LIM College; currently attending New York Institute of Technology for an MS in Human Resources Management & Labor Relations

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

NYIT SHRM as the student chapter’s treasurer.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The opportunity I received to continue my education, accompanied by the neverending support I have received from my colleagues and close family and friends. In addition, taking on the responsibility of social media for AFB has allowed me to bring out my creative side, meet our beloved customers throughout our locations and learn something new in addition to my responsibilities with HR.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job may be wanting to be in two places at once. During the summer months, I cover our customer appreciation events and love to engage with our customers on a personal level by speaking with them and taking hundreds of photographs throughout the event. It’s a time for me to get out of my comfort zone and speak to new people in a larger setting.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

TIA PATTERSON C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

The advice I can offer any upcoming professional is to never forget where they came from.

We must recognize that we will encounter many personalities as both our underlings and superiors. My mantra is, “I am a Hispana who is dedicated to ensuring the ones before us are honored and the ones after us are educated.”

Hobbies:

I am a proponent of giving back to the community and anything dealing with education. I also love to crochet.

It has definitely helped. Social media influences our world so much these days and opens other outlets for you to reach new candidates, new customers, new partners and new ideas.

I have been given the chance to be creative, have input and connect with more individuals within the industry.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Never say no to new and different opportunities. If you have the chance to go back to school and continue learning, go! If you’re given the chance to take on a new role, a new project or a new responsibility that you’ve never done before, take it! Open your mind to new challenges and different ventures–it will only allow you to grow in more ways than one.

Hobbies:

Traveling, art and fashion. I love to spend my weekends at the movies or at delicious restaurants.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

understand industry trends.

Current position:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Work to establish a strong network of mentors that will continue to help your professional growth, be flexible and have a positive attitude.

Director Chain Sales

Education: Associate’s

The work I’ve done to grow sales and maintain strong customer relationships.

The ability to multi-task on a daily basis to keep the customers happy and continue to drive sales in a very competitive business environment.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has had a positive effect on the job–the ability to network with people and also

ALICIA PERRY PEPSI BEVERAGES CO. Years with company: Five

Current position:

Utility Sales Representative

Education:

Working on obtaining my associate’s degree

Professional and volunteer affiliations: Greater Boston Food Bank

ABBY PRIOR BRIGHTFARMS Years with company: Three

Current position: VP of Marketing

Education:

BS in Marketing and International Business, Penn State University; MBA, Temple University Fox School of Business

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Philabundance Food Advisory Council; Haverford Soccer Club

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I started with Pepsi as a receptionist and was given the opportunity to be the administrative assistant to two executives about a year later. In that position, I learned so many things and overcame many challenges that helped created the person I am today.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

In my job, I must be able adapt to many different situations; my plan for the day could change on a dime. I have to look at each task as it comes to make sure I give it my all, no matter what it might be on that particular day.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Years with company: Two

Current position:

Manager of Food Safety and Quality

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I think the defining moment in my career was in 2000. I had

Two

Current position:

VP of Marketing–Portfolio Brands

Education:

BS in Marketing

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Development chair, Heineken USA Women’s Leadership Forum; Guiding Eyes for the Blind (in-home puppy socialization).

Hobbies:

Travel, hiking, spending time with my family.

Social media has been a good way to share big wins I have had in my different positions and is a good way for us to give support and encouragement to each other.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

No task or person is unimportant. Treat everything you do and everyone you meet with a positive attitude and a smile.

Hobbies:

I love travelling and going to car shows in my 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit pickup. I also enjoy doing arts and crafts and spending as much time with family and friends as possible.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

When I joined BrightFarms, I was able to take all the training and learning from a career with large food organizations and apply it to a startup organization perfectly aligned with my values of responsibility, community and citizenship. It has been a joy to marry my expertise with my passions for the past three years.

At BrightFarms, we are changing the produce supply chain from long distance to local. That means thinking and doing things differently. We are always on the path of disruption and change in the best interest of consumers, and that requires finding the right partners who are aligned with our mission to join us.

my first of four children and managed to find that delicate work/life balance early on. Being able to have a fulfilling career and raise a family is something I am most proud of.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job would definitely have to be staying ahead of industry trends and changing federal regulations and incorporating those in the path of my company’s growth initiatives. With new concepts and menus, it can be a challenge to assure we are both efficient as well as producing the highest quality product we can.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Of the two, I would say social media is more of a help than a hindrance. We use it for

JESSICA ROBINSON HEINEKEN USA Years with company:

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

TIFFANY PTASZKIEWICZ RACHAEL’S FOOD CORP.

page_26-58 WOI.indd 46

Social media has been a bit of a challenge. Majestic has been in business for more than 66 years, and we tend to be a bit old school. There has been a learning curve that we are just beginning to conquer. We still have much to learn! As it turns out, social media has proven to be more valuable than we anticipated. Just last month alone, two of our Facebook posts offering free samples went viral; we have currently processed more than 20,000 requests!

Years with company: 23

youth soccer coach.

April 2018

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

While it’s very difficult to single out one defining moment, my time working as a category manager intersected with the emergence of social and digital platforms. This created an incredible opportunity to lead digital engagement. It was about getting comfortable with the unknown and then surrounding myself with the right resources to help develop a strategic plan that would pave the way for real-time social engagement.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

While my No. 1 focus is about driving business strategy and results for Strongbow and Amstel brands, I’m also the development chair of Heineken USA Women’s Leadership Forum. The organization’s mission is to inspire and support the advancement of women to accelerate Heineken’s performance. It’s finding the balance to drive more opportunities throughout the

LinkedIn has been a tremendously helpful tool for tapping into my own network in the food industry and for building connections within the community of emerging food companies and brands. It creates an opportunity for true believers in food system change to find each other.

Find purpose in your work.

Hobbies:

I enjoy spending time with my family hiking, skiing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I also enjoy coaching my kids in soccer and basketball.

customer inquiries, reviews as well as finding some great employees.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Stay true to who you are and be kind to those around you. Work hard for what you want, use your challenges as opportunities and never stop learning.

Hobbies:

I truly enjoy my family. I have a wonderful husband who is very supportive of my career and the path I have taken. I enjoy spending any free time watching my kid’s soccer, basketball and baseball games or taking them down to the local lake to cast a pole. With three boys and one young lady, there is never a dull moment or much down time.

organization for women while driving results for the business.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media impacts every part of our lives–personally and professionally. Social media helps us all become better and smarter marketers. It has given brands like Strongbow and Heineken a platform to create a relatable, authentic voice that drives engagement and builds deeper relationships with our consumers.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Anticipate change and embrace it to better yourself and your company.

Hobbies:

Golf, skiing and spending time with my family.

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3/22/18 2:02 PM

48

Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

KATHERINE ROLLINS THE COCA-COLA CO. Years with company: Seven

Current position:

Marketing Activation Manager

Education:

BA in Psychology, Harvard University

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

President, Harvard Basketball Alumni Association; member, Network of Executive Women; member, Women’s Linc; coach/ mentor, Hallion Hoop Academy.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Labeling anything as a defining moment at this point in my career suggests that I’m ready to define my career. I continue to be motivated by the industry and my peers and look forward to a lifetime of moments that influence and redefine the food and beverage market.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Introducing innovation without being so revolutionary that we alienate consumers.

Remembering that the next big thing may not be a BIG thing at all. Oftentimes, consumers will tell you exactly what it is they want, but you have to be listening and be ready to act when they do.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

CELINA ROSA IMPERIAL DISTRIBUTORS Years with company: 25

Current position:

Human Resources Manager

Education:

BS in Business Administration (Magna Cum Laude), Becker College, Worcester, Massachusetts

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Employee Advisory Committee, Worcester Housing Authority.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

A team member was going through some issues at home that was affecting their job. I spent time coaching and listening to the team member. The team member came back after a few weeks and told me that it was because I cared that the team member was able to focus on the job and become successful.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Meeting so many great team members and working to make them successful, but they leave for a variety of reasons.

One

Current position:

VP of Customer Finance and Master Data

Education:

BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing, Salem College; Executive MBA, William and Mary.

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Network of Executive Women; IMA Board for Delmarva Chapter; Maryland Food Bank.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

A defining point in my career was the day my mentor, Tim Schellpeper, counseled me on a day I received a promotion. While at the time I could not understand the relevance given my recent success, in hindsight I clearly see the origination of the advice. The advice was

this: “Niki, remember, what got you here will not keep you here.” While humbling at a time of euphoric success, it has served as a sound reminder as I transitioned up the ladder over the years and is advice I also give to those on my team. Look introspectively before acting publicly.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is balancing my professional life with my personal life.

Having a 15-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son coupled with a husband who also has a successful career (and travels frequently) has served as a scheduling nightmare. Realizing that you are human and only one person helps with not feeling like a failed parent or lagging member of the team.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has certainly expedited information for more details in our toolbox, but as with all things, you have to use this source in moderation. Trust but verify the information before basing decisions on it solely.

I N

T H E

F O O D

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

People won’t always remember what you accomplished, but they will remember how you accomplished it. Stay positive, be team- and solution-oriented and do whatever it takes.

Put in 20 percent more than your fair share of the work and take 20 percent less of the credit.

Hobbies:

Cooking, red wine and five-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots.

Social media has helped with recruiting and getting the Imperial name out into community.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

It’s important to say please and thank you. Treat everyone, no matter what role a person is in, with respect. People react positively and will help you be successful. Treat everyone with kindness.

Hobbies:

Paintings rooms, spending time with family and volunteering.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Young professionals should seek and complete all education and certifications that you can, as this is the foundation for your career to keep you grounded as you grow towards the next step in your career path and goals. Education is something that no one can take from you and serves as solid guidance during difficult scenarios, which allows decisions that are based on fact rather than emotion. The experience will also create your personal and professional network of colleagues that will provide invaluable advice when you seek counsel during these times and be your soundboard.

The ask in later years is to ensure you open the door for those behind you. Remember that someone took the time and patience for you as a young professional and was ultimately your mentor/advocate to give you the achievement(s) in your path. It is our onus to do the same, so we continue to grow and cultivate our succession plan. Teach and lead.

Hobbies:

My hobbies include running and cycling.

I N D U S T R Y

DEANA SABATINO PINNACLE FOODS Years with company:

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Juggling many brands and multiple priorities. However, that is also the part I enjoy the most.

Current position:

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

As a woman in a male-dominated field, I would say find a mentor who can help you.

Five

SVP of Business Development

Education:

Master’s of Business Administration and Finance

FMI, POI, NFRA.

When I moved from finance to marketing early in my career. It was an opportunity to expand my horizons and skill set, which ultimately led to my current sales leadership role. My expanded experience has helped me be a more rounded leader.

Years with company:

munity organizations supporting various health, children and family causes.

Current position:

When I first entered the advertising world, I realized the importance of on-point communications to ensure all parties were on the same page. That way, what needs to be accomplished in order to achieve our product development and in-market goals is more likely to happen.

Seven

Director of Communications

Education:

BA in Psychology; MBA

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I serve as provincial chair on the Brown University Alumni University board, and I am also involved with local com-

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Gathering, synthesizing and presenting information in a quickly evolving marketplace with more refined, and well-received, consumer demands is quite challenging. Working for a company and product that I wholeheartedly support makes it easy to overcome challenges.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

HEATHER SAVANT C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS Years with company: 20

Current position: Field HR Director

Education:

BS in Business Management

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Opportunity House and local school district.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Hobbies:

Reading and running.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

PAM SALZMAN EXPRESCO FOODS

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Social media has allowed our brands and activations to connect with consumers in an authentic and genuine way. Now, everyone has a voice and can be part of a two-way dialogue, which cultivates conversation and positively impacts the legacy we create with one another, our communities and our partners.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

NIKI GWALTNEY RUTTER PERDUE FOODS Years with company:

April 2018

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

One of my defining moments was leading a project to research and implement a time and attendance system across 10-plus locations and 3,000 employees. The timeline to implement was approximately nine months. Planning and collaboration, along with building a great team, led us to meet the deadline with minimal disruption to employees.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Providing support to multiple facilities from various facets (retail, distribution, union, corporate) while ensuring our accessibility and providing a high level of service to our business partners and employees. While it can be challenging; that is part of the fun.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has helped my job by gaining awareness and increasing sales. It allows for more personal relationships between consumers and our products. Social media is fun, lively and educational–a perfect product considering market trends, consumer needs, lifestyle, etc. It helps with our brand’s focus on high protein, convenience and taste.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Feel a connection and engage; what you are working on and the work you produce should resonate with you and be gratifying. Indulge yourself by constantly learning and pushing your limits. Surround yourself with people you learn from and who can learn from you.

Hobbies:

Walking, yoga, reading, cooking, spending time with family and friends.

I think in HR it can be a bit of both. Social media is a great tool for recruiting, sharing news and company achievements. However, social media can create some challenges, including acting as a distraction and reducing productivity and creating employee conflict.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Learn everything you can about your role and the business. Build relationships and find mentors that can guide your development. Do your best and be open to feedback. Lastly, don’t be afraid of the challenges; sometimes they are the best way to learn.

Hobbies:

Spending time with my family and friends.

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50

Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

CHRISTINE SAWICKI CVS HEALTH Years with company: 26

Current position:

Director of Specialty Clinical Innovation & Program Development

Education:

Bachelor’s of Chemistry, Pharmacy; MBA; Six Sigma Lean Master Black Belt.

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Women’s Success Network; Network of Executive Women; Healthcare Advocacy Graduate Program; adjunct faculty, Assumption College; cantor, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Worcester; Salisbury Singers; Academy of Manage Care Pharmacy; American Society of Healthcare Professionals.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

When my mentor challenged me by saying, “If you want to make a difference, you can choose to be who people want you to be or choose the person you were meant to be.” I chose the latter.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Innovation in a small or large organization is like leading a startup company. It’s challenging because sometimes new and different is met with resistance to status quo. Luckily, I am part of an amazing innovation company that aligns with my personal mission and goals.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media jumpstarts innovation, maintains connections and provides easy access to relevant resources. Social media also provides distractions that can interrupt focus. I do not see it as a help or a hindrance because social media is a tool in my toolbox. Ironically, some of the best innovation ideas have come from a combination of technology and engaging others

GRETA SCHINDLER BRIGGS HARD SELTZER Years with company: One

Current position: Head of Sales

Education:

BS in Psychology, Union College

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

In high school, I founded a food-centered volunteer program called Operation Nourish, in which my friends and I prepared

and delivered homemade and nutritious snacks to the families of bone marrow transplant patients at Children’s Hospital in Boston.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The day I successfully made my first sale of Briggs Hard Seltzer to a liquor store changed my entire perspective on sales. The confidence I gained in that initial sale opened up the doors to every career accomplishment that has followed.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

My young age has undoubtedly been a career challenge. As a 23-year-old in an industry that is, to a large degree, relationship and networking based, I need to work a little harder to gain respect and credibility. Fortunately, I have met many people who have taken the time to help

KALEY SHAFFER SOUTHEASTERN GROCERS Years with company: One

Current position:

Consumer Affairs Manager

Education:

Bachelor’s, Indiana University

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I have volunteered with an organization called Five Star Life for a number of years now. Five Star Life works with students across the country to address the epidemic of student dropout rates through characterbuilding curriculum and intentional mentoring.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

After Hurricane Irma, I immediately traveled to severely devastated areas affected by the

Current position:

Senior Director of Independent Sales & Administration

Education:

Executive MBA in Food Marketing

Professional and volunteer affiliations: Network of Executive Women, New England.

Do you have a defining moment of your

One

Current position:

Channel Account Manager

Education:

Bachelor’s in Finance; Graduate Certificate in International Business; pursuing Global MBA in Technology Management

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Network of Executive Women; Greater Boston Food Bank.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

A defining moment in my career came when I was promoted from an analyst to a role building out an e-commerce click-and-collect program for Hannaford Supermarkets (Ahold

My passion outside work is cooking and traveling to new destinations with my husband, Joe, of 25 years and our children, Olivia and Joe III. I find energy and enjoyment in giving back, whether singing in a concert or donating my time as a mentor.

me make the necessary connections to succeed.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has been a helpful outlet for my work in beverage sales in that it gives our company the opportunity to personally interact with our consumers.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

I think it is extremely important to work for a company that you truly believe in. I know that my passion for Briggs Hard Seltzer and genuine love of the product have motivated my professional success.

Hobbies:

I love people and being social. I will explore any new hobby as long as I’m in good company.

I constantly travel to see friends, family and explore new areas around the world. I stay active, enjoy live music and always appreciate a night of karaoke.

T H E

F O O D

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media is a powerful engine to help promote PR outreach instantly. People immediately go to his/her Facebook or Twitter feed to stay up-to-date on current events. Aligning PR and social media is critical for success.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Stay positive! Having an encouraging and optimistic attitude is something that has been noticed by senior leaders throughout my career. We have two choices to get through the day: be positive or negative. I, for one, choose positivity.

Hobbies:

I N D U S T R Y

career?

My career defining moment was when I started investing my time in seeking out a mentor and also making my personal time available to mentor and coach junior employees. Having a mentor personally helped me grow and develop my career. And mentoring others is not only very self-satisfying, but it has also helped me better understand the challenges up-andcoming professionals face.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Change and more change. I love change and adapt well to changes. However, it can be challenging balancing the pace of change and aligning my priorities with what matters most, which is why I strive to stay on top of the latest trends, stay in tune with my organization’s top objectives and what our leaders are most focused on to ensure I am investing my time on

Delhaize). It was my supervisor who brought the promotion opportunity to my attention and encouraged me to apply. This will always be a great reminder for me that you never get where you are by yourself. There are many people throughout your career who teach you, empower you, encourage you and give you the chances to prove yourself along the way. This defining moment highlighted for me a lesson and value that will continue with me.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

In our modern world of always being connected and the growing norm of being “on call,” the balance of personal time can be a challenge. I use my personal time off and believe it is critical to have the ability to break away, unplug and have time to refocus and “reset your clock.”

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media allows me to stay connected to the industry–my local and global networks. But social media can be time-consuming, so I limit my exposure by being selective about which platforms I choose. Professional platforms such as LinkedIn are my preference; however, with

ASHLEY STANLEY LOVIN’ SPOONFULS

what matters most and will have lasting, effective impact.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Not all social media is equally impactful, but I have been able to use social media such as LinkedIn to grow my professional network and stay in touch with people in my network.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Seek out a mentor or coach in the industry and don’t be afraid to reach out and ask. Having a mentorship resource is an important tool to help you in your professional journey.

Hobbies:

I love reading. Work travel has not allowed me to read as much as I would love to, so now I am an avid audio book listener. My fav app–Audible.

the rapid change of the digital landscape, I am always looking for most suitable platforms that provide global connectivity and exposure.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Focus on creating genuine relationships and develop mentors. Industry networks such as Network of Executive Women provide great growth value and opportunity to learn from others and lead. Surround yourself with people you learn from, who challenge you, inspire you and will always be honest with you. In all you do, seek to understand before making a judgment. For the first time in history, our workforce will be made up of five generations, coming from different places around the globe. It has never been more important for upcoming leaders to focus on the skill of communication and awareness.

Hobbies:

Traveling, sailing, ballroom dancing, yoga and culinary experiences.

Years with company:

Oxfam Sisters of the Planet; TED community.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Current position:

Sitting with the late Boston Mayor Tom Menino, both of us feeling like we had the best job in the world and talking about what it means to be of service.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Creating and keeping the balance of serving our clients with the best service we can provide and offering our employees an excellent work environment–all while raising enough money to support the organization.

Hobbies:

Eight

Founder and Executive Director

Education:

High school; two years of undergraduate work

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

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Hobbies:

I see every challenge as an opportunity. When there are setbacks, I see it as an opportunity to think differently and figure out another way to accomplish the goal in hand. In PR, there

What is the most challenging part of your job?

KRISTA SPECHT UNITED NATURAL FOODS Years with company:

I recommend three things. First, remember to ask questions to chart your course. What is the objective? What challenges may arise? What or who is needed to be successful?

Second, develop a network at all levels and continue to develop strong connections throughout your career.

Third, have a plan for your career, and also be flexible to accept opportunity along the way.

An enriching career is a journey, not a destination.

are constant external factors that impact how news is covered and shared, changing on a daily basis. I see this as a way to constantly think differently in order to achieve goals for the project and overall organization.

GAIL SOMERS C&S WHOLESALE GROCERIES Five

in conversation. Knowing when to use social media and what purpose it serves is essential.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

storm to serve as support to store associates and customers. Driving through the Florida Keys on the way down to our Winn-Dixie store in Big Pine Key was a memorable and life-changing moment. Our store manager, Kenny Lowe, created a community haven at the store during the storm, saving a number of lives and working endlessly to get the store up and running to provide nutritional necessities to people in order to survive. The dedication of Kenny, the associates and the community volunteers created a defining moment in my life. As a PR professional in the food industry, it is inspiring to work alongside fantastic individuals throughout the organization who work endlessly to ensure our customers come first while we provide food for their livelihood. It has been an incredible opportunity to continually highlight in the press the progress that Kenny and the store team continues to make while rebuilding their community together. The sense of solidarity within the Winn-Dixie community has been very inspiring for me.

I N

Years with company:

April 2018

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Absolutely helped.

Start at the bottom, get your hands dirty, believe that there is always more to be done and commit to doing it.

Cooking, spending time with my fiancée and going to the dog park with my dog.

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52

Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

EMILY STAVIS STAVIS SEAFOODS Years with company: 32

Current position:

VP of Commodity Purchasing

Education:

BA in International Relations/French

Professional and volunteer affiliations: NFI; Elton John Aids Foundation; MGH Charities.

career?

Do you have a defining moment of your

The realization that the seafood business is constantly changing and that the learning curve is endless. We as buyers, importers, sellers and customers always need to keep learning.

We learn about new species, new methods of production, new processing techniques, new

regulations and new markets. This realization came about five to six years after I started. In the late 1980s, the Florida Calico Bay Fishery off of Cape Canaveral was booming–and then nothing. We had to change our business model and find other businesses to pursue. The shift from using Black Tiger farmed shrimp to farmed Vannamei shrimp was another large shift in the shrimp industry that has evolved in the last decade.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Analyzing the data regarding markets and commodity pricing. There are more factors today than just supply and demand. We are truly a global market economy, and the impact of China has changed our markets here and abroad. The impacts of warming ocean temperatures have made pricing and buying strategies more difficult. We have seen shedding lobsters in the winter and domoic acidification of crab in the Pacific Northwest, and these ecological issues greatly affect markets.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has put the seafood folks in an easier and faster position to find each other.

If one is interested in a specie of seafood, a LinkedIn message or Instagram post can easily

I N

T H E

F O O D

16

Current position:

Director of Global Operations

Education:

BA in Political Science, University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C., Canada; MBA in Business Administration and Management, Australian Graduate School of Management, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Franchise Council of Australia; past member, Griffith University Business School Advisory Board; judge, Excellence in Franchising Awards, Australia; judge, Learning Elite Awards.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The opportunity to build the Subway business in the Australia/ New Zealand region was a

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phenomenal experience. At 25 years old, I joined the team in Brisbane to build a team to support the local franchisees, grow the region and build the brand. I’m incredibly proud of the work. In just eight years, we went from being relatively unknown in Australia and New Zealand to the largest restaurant chain in the region. This growth occurred while building the regional corporate office and training center, streamlining the supply chain and introducing new programs such as the “7 Under 6” menu–seven subs with less than six grams of fat.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

result in buyers and vendors finding each other fast. Social media has hindered verbal communication between buyers and this is, in my opinion, not great. I receive 200 emails an hour consisting mainly of seafood offers, and very often I can make purchases without even speaking to a person. Seafood buyers need options, and if one specie is out of season or not available, it is much easier to have a “real” conversation and give customers options of other available species. If buying is done by filling computer SKUs, then ideas about other alternatives can be lost without old-fashioned conversation.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Get passionate about your industry. Learn about the items you sell and its many applications for a customer’s use. Join trade organizations like the NFI, and get involved on a local and possibly national level. We are lucky in the seafood industry as many of us get to travel the world and get to see the production and the fisheries all over the world. This firsthand knowledge is priceless and puts us closer to the source, and we get to interact with the local folks who are doing the various jobs to put wholesome, healthy seafood onto our plates here in the U.S.

I N D U S T R Y

TRACY STEINWAND SUBWAY RESTAURANTS Years with company:

April 2018

Many of the great, business-building ideas started with our franchisees and their teams.

Making sure we can collect those great ideas from every corner of the world and get them to the people that can activate them is critical, and difficult. In my role, I help share best practices that streamline operations, address challenges and increase profitability. One example is the “happy factor.” I learned it from an Australian franchisee who believed that if a candidate can make him smile in the first two minutes of an interview, they’ll be able to do that with customers. There are great people in our business, doing great things every day, and capturing their “tried and tested” ideas to help others in the Subway family is powerful.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media provides us with a unique opportunity to engage with our customers and learn more about what they love about Subway. Our Customer Care and Social Listening team at headquarters is sharing this feedback with franchisees and stakeholders to help teams create the best experiences for our guests.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Start building your professional network early and maintain it as you grow in your career. You never know when you will need the support. Looking back, I realize the impact my network played in every role I’ve earned.

Hobbies:

Subway gave me the opportunity to travel early on in my career, and that ignited my passion for it. There are so many fascinating places just waiting to be found. I always have my passport ready for the next adventure.

3/23/18 3:01 PM

Congratulations Pamela

We are so proud of all your accomplishments 2018 Woman of Influence in the New England Grocery Business. — All of your General Mills teammates.

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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

SANDRA SUPERNAULT A.J. LETIZIO SALES & MARKETING Years with company:

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Current position:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

23

Director of Technical & Administrative Services

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

The day that I started with the company.

Do what you love.

I would say balancing working with our clients, customers and keeping up with the technology changes within our own organization to satisfy the needs within our business.

RWB Boston; NE Spahtens.

I N

T H E

F O O D

13

career?

Education:

When I first started with the company and didn’t know anything about the business, I established my first rule to live by–Learn something every day. I realized that being a leader does not mean you need to have all of the answers and know what to do in every situation. It is all about knowing what questions to ask and to engaging your team in order to make great decisions for the business that everyone will stand behind and understand why.

Do you have a defining moment of your

Always-evolving factors to consider when evaluating strategic possibilities and its impact on our network or other initiatives.

Current position:

Director of FP&A–Business Insights PMP, BA, Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University

What is the most challenging part of your job?

TIFFANY TAYLOR BJ’S WHOLESALE CLUB Years with company: 15

Current position:

Category Director-Perishables

career?

A defining moment in my career was when I transitioned from a category merchant to category director. The move from peer to leader was certainly a turning point.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

I would say the most challenging part of my job is the ever-changing face of retail and the speed with which it changes. It is imperative that we remain as nimble as possible and plan strategically to account for all of the changes that will inevitably occur. That can be a challenge.

Do you have a defining moment of your

Social media has been a very effective tool for our company to engage in a two-way, interac-

Education:

Bachelor’s of Arts

Network of Executive Women; Women’s Forum.

Hobbies:

Spartan races, local races, anything that is obstacle course race-related, hiking and weight training.

I N D U S T R Y

ANNA SZYMANSKA C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS Years with company:

April 2018

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Determine your guiding principles early in your career. What do you want your brand to be?

What do you want to be known for? And stick to it. Reputation can really impact your career path, especially if you stay in the same company for a while.

Hobbies:

I consider time with friends and family, travel, exercise and reading as key activities that help me keep a balanced life.

tive relationship with our members. It is a way for us to be accountable to our members as well as an effective way for us to develop trust and goodwill. The growth and potential of social media is truly extraordinary.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Don’t be afraid to fail.I love the phrase that defines the word fail as “First Attempt In Learning.” I would also advise them to have a healthy balance between work and life; it’s not a dress rehearsal.

Hobbies:

I love to try to recreate the delicious foods that I try when I am out. I also enjoy spending time with my family. I have two very active boys that keep me on my toes.

Proud to Support The Griffin Report’s 2018 Women of Influence in the Food Industry

Congratulations to our very own Jessica Robinson Vice President, Portfolio Brands

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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 13TH EDITION

VENAE WATTS MINERVA DAIRY Current position:

career?

Fifth-generation Owner

I wouldn’t say there is a specific moment that’s defined my career. This business is my lifestyle, it’s my home, it’s second nature to me. I’ve grown both personally and professionally throughout my many years here.

Education:

BS, Muskingum College

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Member, American Dairy Association; member, American Cheese Society.

Do you have a defining moment of your

I N

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Being a “Jack of all trades” and an involved, caring family owner. I oversee many pieces and parts of the business through the day, from accounting to production to marketing–including the rewarding title of “mom.”

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

T H E

F O O D

17

Current position: VP of Internal Sales

Education:

BSBA in Management

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

WIN, NEW; volunteer work at several food banks, Catholic Charities and different charitable walks for cancer.

Do you have a defining moment of your

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Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Always stay the course for your goals–no matter what. You only need to find one way to achieve your goal. In the end, nobody will remember how many ways you tried and stumbled before you found a successful path.

Hobbies:

I N D U S T R Y

career?

I don’t think it is possible to have just one defining moment. But as I think back on those moments, they all have one common characteristic. At some point, someone, whether it was my boss, another leader or a mentor, saw something in me that I did not see. They pushed me to get out of my comfort zone, to stretch me, because the only way you can grow is to make yourself uncomfortable. If it were not for those individuals, I would not be where I am today.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Social media has been great for us. We’ve been here since 1894, which many consumers don’t know. The digital platforms have allowed us to connect with fans and share our story like never before.

Without a doubt, helping my kids with their activities and hobbies.

JEAN WHITE MCCORMICK & CO. Years with the company:

April 2018

As a leader in the organization, I believe my biggest responsibility is to develop our people.

Helping someone to achieve their personal goals is one of the most rewarding elements of my job. With that responsibility comes the challenge of matching an individual’s aspirations and skills with a role that enables professional and personal success. When it works, you feel elated, and when it does not, you feel as if you have failed the individual and the company.

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

In my opinion, the social media platform has significantly helped to grow our business.

This platform allows manufacturers to connect their brands with consumers in a personal way. You can tailor your message based upon what is important to the consumer, and the consumer interacts with you on their terms.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Everything in life is a balancing act. You must decide what is important to you and make decisions based on those priorities. It is also important to understand every decision has a consequence.

Hobbies:

I enjoy walking, reading and playing golf.

3/23/18 3:01 PM

This calls for a celebration!

Congratulations to Monica Garnes, President of Fry’s, on being named a Women of Influence in The Food Industry.

Congratulations from your friends at

®, ™, © 2018 Kellogg NA Co.

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SHANNON WINN C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS Years with company:

changed my career aspirations.

Current position:

C&S is nearly 100 years old and has a definitive culture that has contributed to its success. I see additional opportunity to positively impact the culture while leveraging our existing strengths, but my challenge is how to convince the business to change by articulating the case for change and potential benefits as we continue to grow and meet the needs of a changing workforce.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

15

VP of Human Resources

Education:

B A in Anthropology, Dartmouth College

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

Past board member at Sophia’s Hearth Family Center; current board member, MoCo Arts.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I left C&S in 2014 to stay at home but found I couldn’t stay away and was consulting within a few months. In 2015, Asad Husain came in as the new CHRO and asked me to rejoin the organization in a high-impact position. After two years in the role, I now believe I can substantially contribute and positively impact the bottom line of the organization from my position within HR. This has fundamentally

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

LinkedIn has provided a platform to easily share and access industry and function-specific articles across your networks.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Seek impact, not titles and compensation; those will come!

Hobbies:

Enjoying New Hampshire with our young family.

PAMELA WU GENERAL MILLS Years with company:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

16

Managing seven accounts across different states while handling 2,000 items.

Current position:

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Customer Account Lead II

Education:

Bachelor’s in Marketing

Professional and volunteer affiliations: Food banks.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

Winning Grocery Supplier of the Year at Bozzuto’s Food Show in 2014.

I N

T H E

Helped! Social media has put valuable information at my fingertips from trends, competitive information to mergers and acquisitions.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Work hard and it will pay off one day.

Hobbies:

Golf, baking and traveling to new places for amazing food.

F O O D

I N D U S T R Y

NICOLE LACHANCE J. POLEP DISTRIBUTION Years with company: 20

Current position:

Merchandising Manager

Education:

High school diploma

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

I do not have one defining moment in my career. The past 20 years at J. Polep have helped me to grow as a person and work in a job that I really enjoy.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Trying to keep up with timelines. This can be difficult, but the people working with me make it easier, so we all get the job done on time.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

My advice for upcoming professionals would be to work hard and be responsible for everything that you do.

Hobbies:

I enjoy spending time taking care of my boys.

JAIME POWELL C&S WHOLESALE GROCERS Years with company: Eight

Current position:

VP of Labor & Employment Law

Education: BS; JD

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

American Bar Association; Association of Corporate Counsel; New Hampshire Bar Association; Monadnock Humane Society; YMCA.

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

The most important moment in my career came when I decided to leave my law practice for an in-house setting. The decision was driven in part by my interest in becoming more of a business partner, as well as a lawyer, for my clients. It was the right choice for me; I’ve never regretted that move.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

RACHEL SANSOM ES3

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

I practice labor and employment law–the use of social media is a popular legal topic. It’s a growing way to “touch” employees, potential applicants, customers and others. But social media also comes with some great risks. I have spent a fair amount of time talking to my business partners about setting appropriate boundaries.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Learn your industry. Regardless of your particular position, you will provide the most value when you are truly an expert in your area.

Hobbies:

I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and training/competing with my German Shepherd dogs in various sports.

Years with company:

really matters, which is the employees.

Current position:

I have found different key performance factors are more tied together than we realize. Finding those critical links is challenging.

One

Regional Safety Manager

Education:

BS in Industrial Health and Safety; MS in Environmental Pollution Control

Professional and volunteer affiliations:

What is the most challenging part of your job?

How has social media helped or hindered your job?

Social media has definitely helped my job. It makes it easy to connect with my peers.

STPAA Girls Volleyball Commissioner; alumni board member, Penn State Earth and Mineral Science.

Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?

Early in my career, I was beginning to learn about lean manufacturing. I realized that by integrating lean management into a safety program, the program can really benefit. The day-to-day work becomes less time-consuming, and the time can be spent on what

Hobbies:

Do you have a defining moment of your career?

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Every day brings new projects and new challenges; my job is never boring. Like all of us, I manage competing priorities and conflicting needs on a daily basis.

As you enter your career, be ready to never stop learning and taking on new things.

I really love working in my yard; I look forward to every summer!

3/23/18 4:39 PM