FEATURE
CONVENIENCE’S UP-AND-COMERS The 2023 class of Future Leaders in Convenience is the largest yet By Angela Hanson, Amanda Koprowski & Danielle Romano WITH THE PACE of innovation in the convenience
The 2023 Future Leaders in Convenience are:
store industry accelerating, companies more than ever need smart, capable leaders to help their businesses meet the times. Enter, the 2023 class of Future Leaders in Convenience (FLIC). Now in its sixth year, the goal of the FLIC program is to celebrate and help develop the next generation of c-store industry leaders by providing a forum for talented young businesspeople to hone their leadership skills, while recognizing the achievements of a select few emerging leaders. The FLIC awards recognize young people (aged 35 and under) working in the convenience channel who are already making significant positive contributions to their companies and the industry at large. The winners were chosen based on nominations received from their companies and peers that highlighted achievements made between Jan. 1, 2022 and April 30, 2023.
Gretchen Akers
Category Manager, Beer West 7-Eleven Inc. • Akers supports store operations by determining product promotions that offer customers strategic pricing and assortment in the beer category. She is responsible for the largest geography and revenue contribution across the entire Alcohol Team at 7-Eleven. • She joined the company in 2020 as a product development manager for private brands, where she developed innovative products across the portfolio. Akers was promoted to her current role in 2022. Prior to joining 7-Eleven, the FLIC honoree spent seven years in the food and beverage industry in product development, marketing and merchandising. • Akers is a member of the 7-Eleven Young Professionals group and the 7-Eleven Network of Women. Additionally, she is a Level Two Certified Tea Craftsman and formerly a Certified Coffee Q Grader.
This year’s class of Future Leaders in Convenience is the largest yet, comprised of 36 rising stars from 29 convenience store industry retailer, distributor and supplier companies. These up-and-comers will be honored at the sixth-annual Future Leaders in Convenience Summit, to be held Nov. 16 in Pittsburgh.
Founding and Presenting Sponsor
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Silver Sponsor
Nathali Aucapina
Market Leader, Golden Gate Market 7-Eleven Inc. • Aucapina’s influence extends to overseeing 126 7-Eleven stores