2022 NE Women of Influence

17th Annual

in the food industry The

Shelby-Griffin Report

A celebration o�

�emale pro�essionals Tribute offers insight into careers of 78 honorees The Griffin Report of the Northeast presents its 17th annual tribute to Women of Influence in the food industry. This year’s slate of honorees – 78 strong – runs the gamut from presidents and VPs to managers, directors and supervisors.

They are among the leading executives in their respective fields, but their candid responses to questions from the Shelby team also reflect how they handle their other roles – as wives, mothers, sisters and even grandmothers.

Whether they’ve worked there decades or just a few months, these women

are making an impact at their companies. Some have MBAs or law degrees, while others are pursuing doctorates. Nearly all belong to professional associations and are active in their communities.

In the pages that follow, they share advice for up-and-coming professionals, as well as detail some of the challenges and rewards they’ve experienced along the way. In addition, you’ll learn about the defining moments in their careers.

We found their responses refreshing and inspirational, and hope you will as well. Join us as we celebrate the 2022 Women of Influence.

26

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Monica Abarca Post Consumer Brands Senior Account Manager Years with the company: Eight I was born and raised in Southern California. A daughter of immigrant parents, who taught me the

Michelle Aloi Daymon Worldwide Senior Director Global Sourcing, Product Development and Innovation-Japan Years with the company: 16 Currently, my team and I are supporting a key retailer in Japan to expand their private brand

Felismina Andrade Giant Food Director of External Communications and Community Relations Years with the company: 22 The most rewarding part of my job is working closely with our extraordinary organizations impacting our community. This is also the most challenging part of my job – balancing

Elaine Arnold AppCard Director of Customer Success Years with the company: Six I lead a team of talented customer success managers who work with our grocery retailers to support and implement data-driven loyalty and

Jacqueline Blount Ahold Delhaize Global Director, Diversity and Inclusion Years with the company: Four I have responsibility for developing and advancing the company's diversity and inclusion strategy. I work

April Carchietta Big Y Foods Senior Manager of Employee Experience & Development Years with the company: 22 The most rewarding aspect of my job is when co-workers engage. There is nothing more energizing than hearing the perspectives and ideas of employees from all parts of the

Carol Carlson Geissler's Supermarket's Director of Electronic Media Years with the company: 34 I started in grocery/dairy frozen and worked my way to becoming a front-end manager. From there, Jim

Jessica Carpenter C&S Wholesale Grocers Demand Planning Team Lead Years with the company: 13.5 I am a people-first leader who has successfully managed my team remotely throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as re-entry back

importance of education, hard work and family. I married my husband, Alejandro “Al” Abarca, 15 years ago. He is the one that grounds me. He is always there to support me in whatever I choose to pursue. We have a very energetic 9-year-old boy.

At Post Consumer Brands, I enjoy developing partnerships with my customers to achieve success. I am thankful that my company supports me being the ambassador for all the industry events in California. This has allowed me to be part of the board for the Illuminators and Food Industry

Managers' Club of Los Angeles.

My success is not only due to my family but also to the great mentors I have had along the way. Diana Godfrey taught me to always find a solution to my problem. Debbie Staab showed me the importance of understanding financials. Jason Edevold and Lori Brown encouraged me to get involved in our industry. My motto is, “Never stop learning, you will learn something new every day.”

assortment including new categories and products for the Japanese market.

The most rewarding part of my job is having the opportunity to work with internal and external resources across the globe to create unique, customized solutions for our partner.

Navigating through the impact that the pandemic has had on the global supply chain and input costs across the industry has proved to be the most challenging aspect of my job.

Early in my career with Daymon, I was lucky enough to have a mentor who gave me space to develop my own path and empowered and

challenged me to think strategically and take risks.

A defining moment in my career was accepting a new role in our international division seven years ago, which was outside of my comfort zone and really forced me to grow and build new skills.

The advice I would give up-and-coming professionals is to take risks, never stop learning and challenge yourself to build diverse relationships internally and externally from your organization. I am a member of NEW.

our budget with a razor focus, ensuring we are doing the most we can to support during an unprecedented global challenge.

A critical moment in my career was the first time I met someone who defined what a mentor was. When I started my career in the maledominated, fast-paced grocery industry, my district director saw the potential I had inside and challenged and supported me to step into a role with more responsibility.

My advice to our up-and-coming professionals: Find a coach or mentor and seize the opportunity. Embrace the strengths and don't back away from challenges.

A pivotal moment in my career was making a tough decision to relocate to a new state and new opportunity. I grew up in Boston – first generation – which helped mold my work ethic and taught me responsibility at a young age. The power of faith, hard work, fantastic teams and supporters helped pave my path. My experiences have shaped me as a leader and allowed me to create an environment where I can empower, support and uplift women in our industry.

I am active in the community and serve as a board member for U.S. Dream Academy.

marketing programs. As a team, we work closely with our clients to help them achieve their business objectives and serve as the main point of contact with our clients to support their digital coupon and loyalty programs.

The most rewarding part of my job has been watching our clients grow their businesses and achieve their goals with the AppCard program while simultaneously helping AppCard grow in the industry. It is really fun knowing that the team is making a positive impact every day for our clients and our business.

My mentors include Doug Levy, Yair Goldfinger, Amichay Oren, Eran

Harel and many AppCard colleagues.

A defining moment in my career was when I first started at AppCard, I volunteered to take on a challenging project to help roll out one of our new products with our first client. Not only did I learn from this project, but it also opened the door to many opportunities that have helped me grow professionally.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals: Work hard, ask questions and do not be afraid to try something new. Being open to new opportunities and learning will help you achieve your goals.

closely with Ahold Delhaize’s 22 great local brands across 10 countries to leverage Ahold Delhaize’s D&I strategic framework and tailor its D&I plans to meet community and customers’ needs.

I believe that my greatest strength lies in my passion for D&I, coupled with my lived experiences. When asked, “How long have you been doing this work?” my reply is, “My whole life.” I grew up in a predominately white neighborhood where we were the first Black family to move to the community. I experienced the sting of exclusion early in life and realized

that as a Black woman, society viewed me as less than.

Fortunately, I had strong role models in my parents, and they instilled pride in my background and history. Growing up, when I experienced systems of inequity, I found myself drawn to helping to make things right.

This passion followed me to college, grad school and ultimately to the workplace.

company.

The challenge in my job is creating and delivering training in a way that’s consumable to our busy workforce. Our employees move at the speed of light, so our training has to as well.

I’ve had many informal mentors throughout my career. I was fortunate enough to be a part of our Women LEAD employee resource group, which is full of wise, ambitious women. I also have a supportive boss who invests time and resources into my development.

A defining moment in my career was when I stopped waiting for someone else to design my career path. Instead of passively allowing others

to determine my next step, I took the wheel and started reflecting on what I wanted my next step to be and how I would get there.

My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to be of service to others and build relationships at all levels of the organization. Don’t rely on others to design your career path – empower yourself to create clear goals and then do the work to achieve them.

I am director of public relations for Human Resources Association of Central Connecticut and a member of FMI’s Future Leaders Committee.

Nilsson and the third generation supported me to balance raising a family, working full time and going to school.

Jim took an interest in technology and saw something in what I had to offer. He created a niche for me in the company to start Geissler's online footprint in the early days of online marketing. Bob Rybick and the fourth generation have unleashed my talents, expanded my knowledge and encouraged me to go beyond what I ever thought capable.

Two websites and a fully functioning e-commerce site later, I now

have partners such as Shop to Cook, Rosie, AppCard, Dumac, Bozzuto's, Designhouse and IGA that work together to help us create an online experience for our customers. This allows an independent like Geissler's to compete with large conglomerates in the online marketplace. Keeping pace with all of this is a constant challenge. It is also rewarding.

into our offices. I am responsible for two of our company’s largest customers, as well as managing the entire company’s Every Day Movement forecasting, which accounts for 40 percent of our sales.

I have been a part of nearly every new business onboarding for the last two years, as well as many internal business transitions. I am a leader for the Demand Planning Wellness Team, which we are beginning to roll out to the larger National Procurement Team. I am working on an efficiency project that will save our teams up to 20 hours per week.

I enjoy the relationships that I build with both my internal and external

partners and I believe those relationships have shaped me into the leader that I am today. I owe much of my leadership development to Danielle McBreairty, Holly Sydorowich and Amanda Stromgren. These three women have encouraged me along the way, given me guidance and advice and kept me level headed. My advice to future leaders is to take care of your people and treat them like family. Your people matter and are the backbone of any company.

THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST • MAY 2022

Erin Carter PepsiCo Key Account Manager Years with the company: Eight Erin Carter calls on Albertsons Safeway Portland Division. Prior to this role, she was a key account

Jackie Cassis-Mayer Pete & Gerry's Organic Eggs SVP of Sales Years with the company: Less than a year The most rewarding part of my work has always been about building and developing the team. I find it extremely rewarding to mentor and support people

Mia Cellucci Keto and Co. Chief of Staff Years with the company: Three I lead our people and processes, making sure team members have the resources they need, leading our company-wide meetings and ensuring that we are all moving in the same direction toward our goals. In addition, I usually lead

Liz Chace-Marino Ahold Delhaize USA Manager, Government Affairs Years with the company: 35 I am responsible for overseeing legislative, regulatory and public policy matters that impact the business. I work closely with the Stop & Shop

Paula Colatriano JOH Account Manager/Account Executive Years with the company: Five I am an account executive for major brands and an account manager for the largest grocery retailer in

Lisa Coleman Giant Food Director of Healthy Living Years with the company: 15 What I find most rewarding is my team. These are good-to-the-core people who show up every day with their own passions, talents, perspectives and styles. We all see things differently, which only makes us better. I want to

Jessica Convery Hannaford Store Manager Years with the company20 Engaging with our associates and customers is most fulfilling and truly energizes me in my work, being able to appreciate the big and the small wins.

It is challenging to navigate our new and ever-changing reality. Knowing

Libby Couch-Askew Peapod Digital Labs Category Development Manager Years with the company: Three Libby leads the Peapod Digital Labs paper private label category. Prior to that, she worked for over 13 years in the CPG industry for companies such as

35

manager at PepsiCo of local/regional Oregon accounts. She also led multiple frontline teams as a sales district leader and merchandising manager, responsible for ensuring sales and service execution was met for retail customers.

The most rewarding part of her job is utilizing consumer insights to understand how to bridge the gap from how to run the business to how to connect with consumers. She also loves leading and developing people. She is passionate about being the best version of herself and encouraging others

to be their best selves as well.

Her advice for up-and-coming professionals is to stay curious and continue to ask questions. Also, build connections and take time for reflection.

professionally so they can achieve what they want personally. Right now, I think the most challenging aspect of my position, like many others, is navigating the unprecedented macro-economic situation.

I feel grateful to have had so many wonderful mentors along the way.

One woman at Pepsi really took me under her wing early on. She not only helped me learn how to manage my business better but she was also one of very few females that was open about her work/life perspective.

One critical step that I took was actually out of CPG. I worked for Reebok, and although I met some amazing people there, that step made me

realize that CPG, particularly natural foods, is ultimately where I wanted to grow my career.

Advice? Say yes. I think so many young professionals come in with preconceived notions of what track they should be on and the type of work they should be doing, but you really don’t know until you say yes. I said yes to many opportunities early in my career, which helped not only springboard me to where I am today but, more importantly, better prepared me.

I am a BC Connections mentor and VP of Canton Association of Parents & Teachers.

a key initiative. This has ranged from product innovation to our expansion into grocery stores nationwide.

I’m proud to be part of a team that is committed to offering delicious options for consumers looking to reduce their sugar intake without giving up the foods they love. My role is very dynamic and allows me to work deeply on different parts of the business as the company grows. Being part of a small, nimble team means constantly prioritizing work to focus my efforts where I can have the most impact.

Working on a small farm early in my career sparked an interest in food production and environmental stewardship. I’ve been fortunate to have

many generous mentors who helped guide me along the way and were instrumental in shaping my understanding of the complexities of the food and beverage industry. My advice for up-and-coming professionals is to speak up and remember that the most confident or vocal person in the room does not always have all the answers.

My volunteer affiliations include serving as a graduate student mentor and the Babson Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership.

leadership team, food trade associations and business trade organizations in the Northeast to mitigate legislative/regulatory matters.

What is most rewarding about the job is the opportunity to work with my colleagues at Ahold Delhaize USA, the brands as well as leaders and experts in the retail food industry.

The most challenging part of my job is managing constant change in government and policy matters.

William J. Grize, former president and CEO of The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, was a mentor. His extraordinary commitment to the

food industry, customers, communities in which we operate and his passion for people to grow within the company.

A defining moment in my career has been managing local, state and federal government, regulatory and policy issues for the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advice to up-and-coming professionals would be to get a mentor, somebody senior within your company. Listening to people is key and take the opportunity to learn other areas in the retail food industry.

the metro New York region. My greatest reward comes from my team, clients and customers valuing my collaboration.

Both short deadlines and receiving limited information can be challenging. In these circumstances, my work ethic and commitment to seeing a project through to completion enable me to work together with my professional network and exceed the expectations of my clients and customers.

A defining moment in my career was the opportunity to become part

of JOH. It helped me to focus on improving my best skills, meet directly with my customers to present opportunities or resolve issues and grow new businesses and partner accounts to build creative marketing programs.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals is to keep your eyes and ears open and say yes to as many new opportunities as possible. Taking on challenges will help you build your network. Always maintain a good attitude and show that you are a valued asset. My professional affiliations include NextUp and NJ Food Council.

create an environment where people can and want to do their best. We’ve got each other’s backs and that makes everything easier, especially in these unprecedented times.

What I find most challenging is navigating the organizational maze.

I think we can all agree that grocery is a little more complicated than selling beans and greens. Healthy living is a relatively new lens for the grocery industry and blazing new paths requires patience, persistence and organizational savvy.

A mentor who has guided me along the way is my boss, VP of Marketing Dyani Hanrahan. She sees how retail dietitians are uniquely positioned to

bring personalization, transparency and evidence-based guidance to the grocery industry. Dyani has a growth mindset, helps remove barriers and actively champions our work.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals: Recognize that you don’t score goals alone. In the words of Abby Wambach, “Her victory is your victory.

Celebrate with her. Your victory is her victory. Point to her.”

My professional affiliations include co-chair of the Women’s Inclusion Network at Giant Food.

that as retailers we are able to pivot and adjust where needed, however, sometimes that means that we aren't able to deliver on everything our consumers need or want.

Opening a new location for the Brunswick, Maine, community has been the most fulfilling and defining moment of my career thus far. Throughout my tenure, I have prided myself on building strong relationships throughout our organization. I believe those relationships helped aid in the success of opening a store during a pandemic.

Throughout my career, I have been afforded the opportunity to work with so many outstanding leaders. However, if I had to speak to one mentor,

I would say it was when I was challenged to think about my leadership style and what I wanted to be known for. Hearing and knowing that you can always save/edit/or adjust as needed has helped guide me throughout my career.

Advice to up-and-coming professionals: Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Don't be afraid to be yourself and know that it is OK to not have all the answers. Listen to listen – not to respond. Be empathetic, real and know that doing the right thing isn't always the easiest.

Hormel Foods, Campbells Soup and Kimberly-Clark.

Libby takes pride in being able to create an item in her mind and see it through to fruition on the shelf. Her current passion product involves sustainability – designing a plate made of leaves.

The defining moment of her career was going from CPG sales manager to a retailer. Most people that switch between the industries start in retail and switch to CPG. Once she took the role, she realized that both roles were centered on sales. The only difference is what she was selling, programs versus items.

Her advice to others: Believe in yourself and be true to yourself.

Sometime we can be our own worst critic. We sometimes dismiss others' encouragement and being willing to take those risks is what truly drives a career trajectory.

She is involved with NEXT UP Carolinas Chapter, Rowan Help Ministries, PDL’s Black Inclusion Network and its Spirituality Inclusion Network.

36

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Diane Couchman Giant Food VP of Non-Perishable Merchandising Years with the company: Five Diane Couchman is responsible for creating and executing strategic business plans with P&L

Joanna Crishock The GIANT Co. Chief of Staff, Director Brand Strategy Years with the company: 12 Joanna has served in her role since May 2021.

Joanna supports the president of The GIANT Co. with liaising across Ahold Delhaize, managing key partnerships and creating alignment across the leadership team as the

Stacey Dauplaise Stop & Shop Supermarkets Store Manager Years with the company: 37 I've worked in the food industry for 37 years.

I enjoy engaging with customers and associates on

MIchelle DeLucca Imperial Distributors Merchandiser Years with the company: 26 My position is to execute the implementation of plan-o-grams and to maximize distribution of

responsibility while building high-performing teams that are focused on customer trends and needs for both brick and mortar and omnichannel.

Previously, Diane spent two years as director of category manager of DSD for GF. Prior to that, she spent eight years working within merchandising and merchandising support for Ahold USA, where she utilized her expertise within category and space management with a focus on macro space allocation.

Diane has worked in retail for more than 35 years. She started her

career working at Giant Food in operations and worked her way to grocery manager. The opportunity to expand retail knowledge by working with top CPG company Gallo Winery presented itself to enhance her knowledge of supplier/retailer relationships

protector of brand strategy.

From a strategy perspective, Joanna leads the strategic planning process and oversees the company’s approach to managing strategic initiatives to ensure the successful execution of the brand strategy, “Designed For The Way Families Live Now.” As a fierce advocate for putting the customer first, Joanna has implemented a co-creation customer advisory panel, which has collaborated on “All Set” Meal Solutions, Choice Pass subscription, and is supporting the company’s well-being strategy. She has also led her team in the development of new store clustering and customer segmentation tools to support data

driven decision making.

From a personal perspective, Joanna has two young daughters of her own and can empathize with customers who are striving to balance the demands of managing a career and home. She also serves on the board of VOCE, an agency that focuses on the areas of trauma and loss, adoption and permanency, diversity and inclusion, and individual and family well-being.

Connecting passion to drive performance and results is Joanna’s personal purpose – and she continues to reinvent herself and her team to do just that.

a daily basis. I'm proud to work for a company that values and promotes diversity and inclusion in every aspect of the business. I am responsible for 125 associates. I love the challenge of coaching and mentoring associates to achieve sales goals, promote company initiatives and deliver operational standards.

The challenging part of this business is handling unseen issues, prioritizing with so much on my plate and keeping a positive work/life balance.

I've been fortunate to have had so many great mentors and supervisors.

They believed in me and my work ethic. I was challenged to be best I can be and encouraged to take on new positions.

I've had so many defining moments in my career. I received an award for 2020 Financial Supervisor of the Year. I received an accolade for hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for homeless veterans on my company's behalf.

My message to women would be to believe in yourself, stay positive, set goals and hold yourself to a high standard. Success is sure to come.

authorized items.

A rewarding part of my job is seeing the difference within our sections within each store. Also, knowing that we are making the most profit and giving the best variety to each store customers in their allotted space.

The relationships that I have made and maintained over the course of my career have built trust, confidence and reliability between myself and my direct reports at store level. It is important to me to keep the best rapport with the retailer and my teammates.

The most challenging part of my job is the broadness of my territory and being able to maintain accuracy in all stores. The distances that I travel are taxing, however, always keeping a positive outlook helps me focus on my quality of work.

My advice for teammates is to always take pride in your work and believe in yourself.

38

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Chelsea Deputy C&S Wholesale Grocers Manager, Demand Planning Years with the company: 11 I have responsibilities in helping guide our department in forecasting promotional activity for the company, as well as distribution management.

The most rewarding part of my job is helping to grow talent in an

Kellie DiLoreto C&S Wholesale Grocers Procurement Manager Years with the company: 11 I have worked in procurement for a number of different customers and regions over the years. Most recently, I spent five years as a supervisor for our

Christina DiPietro Unilever Team Lead Years with the company: 10 I manage Ahold’s Unilever portfolio across food, ice cream, beauty, personal care and home care.

The most rewarding aspect of my current role is

Elizabeth Doval Whisps Marketing Director, Innovation Years with the company: One I’ve spent my marketing career in the food industry. My first role in CPG was at Mars, working on

industry that is so important to the well-being of the country.

The most challenging part of my job has been building out new ways of forecasting to be as accurate as possible in the beginning, middle and hopeful end to a global pandemic.

I truly found myself and the manager that I wanted to be in mentorship from Holly Sydorowich and Gordon Modarai. Holly continues to mentor me to this day. I would not be writing this today without her as a role model for what a strong leader in this business should look like.

I took a leap and asked my director at the time to create a position for me in a company that we had just acquired. This was a two-step jump – a

position for me, but also him and leadership agreeing to give me that shot, which propelled me into the position that I have today.

The best advice that I can give is to be yourself – always. Before you start comparing your journey to those of others, know that every person has a journey and our footprints are not created equal.

I am living proof that with hard work, determination and vision, you can reach the goals that you desire without formal education.

Southeast division, overseeing center store procurement. When my thenmanager was called away on a special project for several months last year, I assumed full responsibility for the team's day-to-day functions, testing my leadership and skills. This was followed by the exciting opportunity to lead the West Coast procurement team as manager.

While my leadership perspective has evolved over the years, I've always maintained that well-supported teams built on trust and mutual accountability always out-perform those that are not. I'm grateful that my previous director challenged me to problem solve and use my creativity

and leadership skills to build trust with my team and customers. In our business, so much success is built upon effective collaborations both with our customers and with our own internal teams.

With the continued innovation forced on the grocery industry over the last two years of supply chain issues, it is rewarding to be an integral part of the food supply chain even as it challenges us all to continually be agile with our tactics. My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to be known for your adaptability. No matter what challenges you face, that flexibility will arm you for continued success.

people development. It is so wonderful to watch people grow, develop and thrive on my team. The most challenging aspect of my role is the ability to effectively manage the expectations of multiple stakeholders.

I have been fortunate to have had many mentors throughout my career and each one has helped me in different ways. One mentor in particular helped stretch and challenge me, which instilled the confidence to go for new roles that were larger in scope.

The defining moment in my career was over 10 years ago when I was at a personal and professional crossroads. I decided to follow my North Star

and leave the comfort of my former employer and leave the city I had called home for the last several years to move back to the Northeast and come to Unilever. It was the best decision.

The advice I would have for up-and-coming professionals would be to walk through any potential fear or self-doubt. Growth happens when we continue to challenge ourselves and step outside our comfort zone.

My volunteer affiliations include Sharing Shelf Clothing Bank for Children, Feeding Westchester Food Bank and the Humane Society of Westchester.

the M&Ms brand, followed by an innovation role at Unilever.

A defining moment in my career was making the decision to transition to a smaller brand that was in a growth trajectory. I found that to be my passion. I really enjoy rolling up my sleeves and getting the work done while wearing many hats. It is humbling to see your work on the shelves and know that you have made an impact in a brand’s success.

The best part of my current job is working with an amazing team and seeing our new products come to market. Having a scrappy and creative

mindset is essential to working at a start-up. You always must think outside the box to have projects move forward and at a fast pace.

My advice for up-and-coming professionals is to try out different opportunities. The skills you learn by diversifying your experiences is fantastic and gives a well-rounded point of view.

40

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Joelle Dove Daymon Worldwide Director Business Development Years with the company: 10 Joelle is an excellent representative of a noble leader who invests time and energy training and developing her direct team of associates. She mentors others within the company to achieve their career aspirations.

Odile Ducatez Retail Business Services Vice President of IT Architecture, Strategy and Data Years with the company: 25 The fast pace is the most challenging part of my current role, but it’s also the most rewarding. I constantly need to adjust and pivot and that’s keeping

Sarah Dudan Peapod Digital Labs Human Resources Business Partner Years with the company: Three In my role at Peapod Digital Labs, the e-commerce engine of Ahold Delhaize USA, I've

Keely Dziuban Phillips Foods Director of Foodservice and Retail Marketing Years with the company: 16 Keely Dziuban manages the development of foodservice and retail branded marketing strategies to

She collaborates with the entire Daymon enterprise to deliver exceptional services to retailers and the Private Brand supplier community. She leads her team to bring best in class category insights to her retail partner, helping them maximize their private brand assortment and better their return on space at shelf.

Joelle created and led her team through a new PO management process that increased transportation transparency and increased scheduling accountability, which reduced late fees and increased in stock rates minimizing pandemic shortage effects at shelf. Joelle’s colleagues and working partners know her for her positive and determined attitude. Joelle

utilizes a strategic roadmap to remain aligned with her retail partner’s goals and help them achieve their financial targets for their private brand programs. She brings a unique operational and executive perspective to strategic planning, process and private brand development.

In her spare time, Joelle helps recent college graduates design and tailor their resumes for job applications and coaches interviewing skills. Joelle has recently been a contributing writer, sharing her perspective on various topics, including omni-channel inventory management and private brand holiday assortment planning.

me on my toes and in touch with my team and the market.

When I moved to the U.S., I had the opportunity to work for Deb Dixon, who was the chief information officer for Delhaize America at that time.

She became my mentor, modeling for me how you can bring your authentic self to work while integrating into the U.S. culture. We don’t get to connect as often as we would like these days. But when I have to make a decision or deal with a complicated situation, I use her as my compass and ponder, “What would Deb do?” It helps me stay grounded.

I grew up in France and taking an expat position in the U.S. was the

most humbling experience, one that forced me to revisit everything I knew about myself and my work. I learned to ask more questions, listen and lean on others. This defining moment makes me a better leader.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals? Remember that in addition to your talent, you are bringing a fresh set of eyes to the table. Don’t hesitate to challenge the status quo and share your thoughts and ideas. I am a member of the Network of Executive Women.

had the opportunity and honor of building a strong foundation for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace culture.

By influencing our leaders to invest financial resources, time and people to this important area of work, the company has been able to establish and take action on key DEI goals. These goals will continue to make PDL an inclusive place to work, positively impact the employee experience and ultimately help us create better products and services for the diverse consumers that shop with the great local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA.

We have made great strides in increasing the representation of women and BIPOC employees in the STEM field. As a human resource business partner, increasing diverse representation is an area of great passion for me. I believe I have a responsibility to use my role in HR to give underrepresented groups access to opportunities they may not have otherwise had, thereby giving those individuals access to key decision-makers who determine hiring and promotions. Additionally, I take pride in fostering diverse talent through the mentoring relationships I have, developing and advocating for others.

drive volume and profit while working to strengthen Phillips Foods’ branded position with consumers and customers.

With extensive knowledge and experience in consumer brand, packaging design and product marketing management, Keely is adept at understanding business needs and transforming concepts into innovative, functional and user-centered designs that bring multimedia content alive.

Throughout her career with Phillips Foods, Keely has been instrumental in creating custom designs for promotional, advertising and branding

collateral. These include logos, packaging designs and concepts, advertisements, brochures, printed marketing materials, sales presentations, website designs and social media campaigns.

For the past several years, Keely has served as a board member for the non-profit organization Clear Shark H20, which works to educate children about and restore Maryland’s waterways.

42

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Dawn Emerson Associated Grocers of New England Benefits and Payroll Manager Years with the company: 1.7 I have more than 25 years of experience within all facets of HR, having served in both for profit and

Nancyanne Fama Food Circus Super Markets Inc. VP of Administration Years with the company: 26 I am VP of administration for Food Circus Super Markets Inc., a family-owned company operating five Foodtown supermarkets, six liquor stores and three Pet Supplies Plus locations.

Stacy Fleishaker Whisps Innovation Manager Years with the company: Three I’ve spent most of my 12-plus year career working in healthcare and technology. A defining career moment came three years ago when I joined Whisps as one of the first employees and helped establish and grow the

Molly Fleming Ferrara Candy Company Amazon Sales Senior Analyst Years with the company: One I have been in the food industry for about 4.5 years, with previous experience at PepsiCo and Target.

nonprofit companies. My roles have ranged from individual contributor to director. In 2019, I earned by credentials with the Society of Human Resources Management as a Certified Professional. Today, I find that it is more important to enjoy people I work with than anything else. The HR profession does not change much from one company to another and the laws and requirements remain the same. But one thing that can set a job apart is the people you work with. And I have found an incredible group with AGNE.

I have been fortunate to have been mentored by the ownership of the company, several outstanding employment law attorneys and the New Jersey Food Council.

A defining moment in my career was when I was asked to be on the negotiating team for upcoming labor contracts.

My advice: Always seek to take on more, diversify skills and quantify results.

I served as councilwoman in my town for 10 years and remain active in civic affairs.

organization, while simultaneously discovering my passion for better-for-you CPG brands.

Here, I can make a difference by creating healthier snack options using my favorite food – cheese. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a concept go from just an idea to being on-shelf and knowing all the hard work it took to make that happen.

The most challenging aspect of working at a high-growth company is the rapid pace. As a start-up, there’s no shortage of work to be done and a very lean team to do it. Therefore, you need to be great at rolling up your sleeves and wearing multiple hats. I’m extremely grateful to Whisps’ founder, I received my bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from Michigan State University and am attending the University of Southern California’s Food Institute Management Program.

I am extremely passionate about the food retail industry, specifically with my work on the CPG side of the business. Seeing the products that I help manage, influence or monitor on the shelf is extremely rewarding, exciting and gratifying. I am looking forward to a hopeful and robust career ahead of me.

17th Annual

in the food industry The

Shelby-Griffin Report

Ilana Fischer, for being an incredible mentor and recognizing that potential in me over more-qualified candidates.

One of the best things about Whisps is the strong female leadership.

There’s no shortage of inspiring women to look up to and learn from, including our CFO, head of sales and my manager, Ely Doval.

My advice for up-and-coming professionals is to always be open to new opportunities and be confident in your abilities and how you can apply them to the job at hand, even if you don’t necessarily have direct experience.

44

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Dianne Galang Daymon Worldwide VP of New Business Development Years with the company: 17 I am responsible for growing our customer base and providing value add services to retailers across

Marcie Gencarelli Rosie Senior Tier 1 Support Years with the company: Two I’ve been working for Rosie on the support team since July 2020. One of my biggest accomplishments

Alyssia Greene Giant Food Manager, Shopper Marketing Years with the company: Eight Alyssia owns shopper marketing for Giant Food, which provides enhancements to CPG promotions through incremental and amplified reach in critical customer-facing channels.

Molly Greenwood C&S Wholesale Grocers Procurement Manager Years with the company: Nine I am a procurement manager for center store grocery with oversight to a buying team and specific customer/vendor relationships. Being able to support my team in their individual growth is one of the more rewarding parts of my

North America. I manage a couple of our newer retailer account teams, which have gone from zero business 18 months ago to self-standing business units and expanding rapidly. Daymon is quickly growing beyond what the industry knows us for, so it is an exciting time to be in this role.

Over the past two years, the most challenging portion of the job has been making virtual connections and building those relationships to a place they can trust you enough to partner. As most people, I had to get creative in gaining introductions and connections. On the flip side, the most rewarding

piece is seeing those relationships I have nurtured turn into actual growing businesses.

I am co-chair of our Women’s ERG, where we work hard to provide members resources to tackle the tough topics of all facets of gender equality.

It is so rewarding to see the feedback and impact it makes on associates’ careers. I also am on the board for Women Impacting Store Brand Excellence and serve as the programming officer for NextUp (formerly NEW) Virtual Region.

has been overhauling our Help Center. Now, customers and retailers have all the tools they need to answer virtually any question they may have, all within Rosie’s Help Center.

Our team lead, Jordan Costley, has been absolutely instrumental in helping me to achieve my professional goals. Through his patience, kindness and openness to listen to new ideas, he has given me a platform where I am able to try my hand at new things, things that I probably wouldn’t have tried otherwise. He has advocated for his team on a daily basis and I appreciate

every meeting, brainstorming session and word of encouragement he throws my way.

Alyssia’ primary responsibilities include: ideation and confirmation of sellable assets on a bi-annual basis; creating awareness of assets to CPG partners to influence sales participation; project management of sold assets from business development through go-live; and post-run analytical insight and share back to partners.

Within the past year, Alyssia has stimulated the evolution of analytics within shopper marketing, across Ahold brands. Until this point, a packaged range of critical performance metrics did not exist. While Alyssia not only identified this gaping hole, she more importantly asked “what if” and persisted on the discovery work across brands.

I use this example as influence is measured often in the way of how far out does the ripple extend from the original point of impact? Is it within a team, department, company or across multiple brands and beyond? In this case, Alyssia’s influence was significant. She did not stop at the initial question, she pushed the ripple to expand further.

My nomination for Alyssia is based on her superior embodiment of two critical personal competencies – courage and care.

position. Whether it be hands-on or advocating from the sidelines, being able to witness others accomplish their goals adds another component to my job that I truly enjoy.

The unknown is probably the most challenging aspect. You can have the best laid plan, but something may go wrong. I think the last two years has really showcased this. Over the years, I've been fortunate enough to build relationships with many different individuals who have become mentors.

Being able to learn from people across the nation and in different parts of the industry has helped shape me as a leader.

A defining moment in my career was the first time my role moved to

another team. The first five years of my career at C&S was spent working on the same account in various positions. Moving out of an area I was incredibly comfortable in was both terrifying and exciting.

Being able to prove to myself that my skillset was adaptable and challenging myself in areas I've never been in helped build my confidence overall.

For any up-and-coming professional, the best advice I can give is to keep challenging yourself and be willing to go outside your comfort zone.

This is where you will learn and grow the most.

46

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Kelli Hall Giant Food Human Resources Business Partner II Years with the company: 25 I am supporting approximately 2,000 associates within a district of 18 stores. I provide strategic direction and guidance in labor relations, recruitment/ retention, training/development and associate engagement.

Kim Hoffman Daymon Worldwide Director of Retail Insights and Solutions Years with the company: 13 I am fortunate to lead a highly skilled and collaborative analytics team where every day we push each other to think differently and build insights

Leslie Jefferson Giant Food Community Health Program Manager Years with the company: Six In my position, I help community partners create innovative programs that provide fruit, vegetables and kitchen staples to healthy food priority/underserved

Dana Kelly JOH Account Executive Years with the company: One I love being a part of a company where I have the autonomy to take ownership of my career. I am humbled to be surrounded by some of the best in our

The most rewarding part of my current role is working with our associates to find their career paths and move up in our organization while realizing their personal and career goals.

My career path started at Giant Food as a courtesy clerk while I was a student in high school. I have had numerous mentors throughout the years who have provided guidance and inspiration to get me to the position I am in now.

Advice I would offer up-and-coming professionals would be to seek opportunities outside of their comfort zone. Those opportunities will provide the best stretch assignments and foster the most growth.

I have had the pleasure of working with several organizations that have allowed me to work outside of my comfort zone, including Next Up Mid-Atlantic, a non-profit leadership/development organization whose mission is to advance all women in business. I serve as its operations officer.

I also serve on the board of directors for the Howard County Chamber of Commerce. Organizations like these provide excellent opportunities to grow your network and work with exceptional leaders inside and outside of your current industry.

and solutions that drive private brand forward. Working across our great company with associates who are passionate about private brand, value collaboration and represent our noble, profitable and fun mantra equates to the best job ever.

The most rewarding part of the job is the people. We are a spirited group, inspiring each other to push beyond what we think we know.

The most challenging part of the job is also rewarding – it’s changing the perception of private brand. If you’ve never tried a private brand product, you will. It’s just a matter of time.

I have had many guiding lights in my life and my career. Some offered me wisdom, while others offered me opportunity. I always listened and learned from every single one.

My defining moment was when I learned about this new analytics team being formed. I then spent the next six months contacting the director every two weeks about the job, until he hired me.

Without passion there is no drive. Without drive there is no purpose.

Life is too short to live a single day unhappy. Choose wisely.

areas. As a second career nutrition professional, I am passionate about helping others meet their wellness goals by providing guidance about healthy, culturally relevant, flavorful and affordable food.

I am proud to work in this field as a woman of color and a licensed Certified Nutrition Specialist, a combination rarely found in the nutrition profession. It's exciting and challenging to merge nutrition education, retail healthy sales and community health into my daily responsibilities.

It's hard to pinpoint one mentor. There are so many who supported me along the way. Everyone from my husband to my current director to friends

and family have encouraged me in my career choices.

A defining moment in my career was taking the steps to change my career, which meant going back to school to make the food and nutrition industry my full-time focus. My advice for up-and-coming professionals is think big, follow your bliss, never stop learning and strive to be the best at what you do.

I am a member of the Board of Certified Nutrition Specialists and the American Nutrition Association. In my community, I act as the co-chair of the Food as Medicine Committee and a member of the Food Equity Council.

business. I enjoy building and expanding upon the solid relationships we have with our clients and customers.

As an officer of NextUp New England, I am inspired by the progress our industry has made for female leaders, but there is still work to be done. I am proud to be boots on the ground for this mission with the support of JOH. I am honored to be working with some of my longtime mentors, Kathy Sullivan, Phil Gelinas and Peter Martin. They have been some of my biggest supporters from the beginning of my career.

A defining moment in my career was completing my MBA from Boston

College in December 2021. After 12 years in the workforce and having two children, I proved to myself that I could take on any challenge and see it through while simultaneously sharpening my skills to become more valuable in my field.

If I could give any advice to up-and-coming professionals, it would be never to underestimate what you are capable of. Continue to stretch yourself and take things one day at a time.

48

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Peggy Krebs ADUSA Procurement VP of ADvantage Program Years with the company: One I lead vendor collaboration with over 200 participating suppliers in the grocery industry. I love my job because I get to work cross-functionally with an incredible team of people who come from diverse backgrounds and

Courtney Kwartler BJ's Wholesale Club Category Merchant Years with the company: Four Courtney is a buyer at BJ’s in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Prior to her current job, she worked

Lisa Lessard Hannaford Brothers Supermarket Store Manager Years with the company: 30 My position in a major retail store has given me many experiences that I have been able to utilize in life.

I have had many mentors in my 30 years that have given me advice to

Mitzi Lewis Imperial Distributors Sales Operations Manager Years with the company: 10 I am focused on providing excellent customer service, consistent sales and operational goals. I am able to multi-task, facing challenges and opportunities daily. I am committed to my company and my customers to meet and

career paths.

I also get to collaborate with the supplier community that I was once a part of, working together to push through the daunting industry supply crisis with the goal to come out stronger on the other side.

I was fortunate to get to report to a female VP of supply chain over 12 years ago, before I even dreamed it was possible for me to aspire to a leadership position at that level. She challenged me to believe in my own potential and to drive for results while always maintaining compassion and humor along the way.

My defining moment was one year ago when I made the decision to

move into my first role in a retail organization after spending 30 years in manufacturing companies. While it was scary to push out of my comfort zone, it was the best thing I could have done because of how much I've learned, how my perspective on the business has expanded and how happy I am.

My advice to everyone is to take a chance on yourself, don't be afraid to try something new and do what makes you happy. You are the captain of your own ship, so enjoy the ride.

her way up from assistant buyer to buyer at Ross Stores Inc. and before that was an associate planner at The TJX Companies Inc. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising. Her top skills are retail and fashion buying and customer service. Courtney received the Chairman’s Award, 2021 Top Women in Grocery.

help me grow as a leader. My current leader and one of my most cherished mentors, John Fifield, has always been there to guide me through ups and downs every leader has in their careers.

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the people that you take a personal interest in their development go on to be successful. There are times when this does not happen, and I always look back to see if there is a lesson in the experience.

When I first started out as a store manager, one of my defining moments was understanding you can't do everything perfectly and there is always a lesson that comes out of it.

As a store leader, I have the ability to support many community programs and the feeling of the impact you can make on someone's life is the best feeling. I have also been able to support associates who work for me when they are struggling and make a difference for them.

My advice to anyone starting out as a leader would be to understand it is OK to ask for help when you are learning to grow. Mistakes are part of the learning process.

exceed profit targets.

I feel most rewarded when my customers comment on my attention to detail and focus on growing their businesses. I enjoy resolving customer issues that independent grocers encounter daily.

Challenges include product availability, restrictive timelines and product replacement to maintain sales goals. I am hopeful that these issues will resolve themselves as the manufacturers recover.

I can contribute my success to several people. At an early age, my family's retail businesses taught me the value of hard work, dedication and responsibility. My next opportunity was working at Laurel Grocery

Wholesale for Lawrence Mills. While working with Lawrence, I learned the wholesale side of retail business for consumer products. I received the opportunity to join Imperial Distributors, working in my current position. At Imperial, my respect and gratitude to Rich Harvey, Dave Dulude and Robin Carpenter is immeasurable.

I have had several memorable moments in my career. A highlight came in 2018 when I received the "Vendor of the Year" award from Laurel Grocery Wholesale.

I would encourage young woman to enter into a career that they love and learn the value of hard work and responsibility. Enjoy it all.

THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST • MAY 2022

Lindsey Lombard Daymon Worldwide Marketing Director Years with the company: 16 I am responsible for strategic thought leadership and supporting my staff in all things related to

Aileen Luppino Imperial Distributors Sales Operations Manager Years with the company: 26 This past year was a different year, with the increase in GM business, having to hire people for my team, including a supervisor. Being able to train this

Carina Machain Peapod Digital Labs Data and Analytics Business Integration Manager With a background in commercial strategy, operations and people leadership, Carina has spent the majority of her career in the grocery industry working in complex and fast-paced environments

Michele Martell C&S Wholesale Grocers Program Administrator Years with the company: Four I work with customer portals. It is rewarding when I can show people how to use technology to

49

marketing, item development, analytics and insights. My career has been dedicated to helping retailers create world-class private brand programs.

Over the last two decades as an industry, we have come so far toward treating private brands as the true CPG brands that they have become.

Working with Daymon is a crucial element to creating a private brand program that cannot be rivaled and one that is customized to the individual retailer’s aspirations. This position is rewarding and satisfies my entrepreneurial spirit. I started with the company in its management

development program, which gave me exposure to all the areas of running a successful private brand business – category management principles, item development, importing, promotional planning, consumer insights, etc.

This program created a strong foundation for me to explore my skill set and career goals. I have since worked for five best-in-class retailers and learned from amazing industry professionals.

supervisor was gratifying.

What was extremely difficult was to hire people for my team in this job market. And with this, trying to keep my team focused and motivated throughout this process and working extremely hard.

As for a mentor, Ron Ralston has always been there to help and guide me in the right direction. He has always worked with me and believed in me before I believed in myself.

When I was a supervisor, he would always send back encouraging emails, which was motivating. Derek Potter, Ingrid Crane and others who I

have worked with at Imperial have made me the manager that I am today.

A defining moment in my career was when I received the 2019 Leadership by Example Award. This award was a honor to receive. This was a point in my career that I knew that Imperial is somewhere that I wanted to grow more and would love the challenge.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals: work extremely hard, everyone will see it. And do not be afraid to make a mistake. You learn from them.

Take criticism – good or bad – and work with it.

while leading high-visibility, cross-functional projects. Carina loves helping people find solutions for complex issues using both data and creativity.

Known for her optimistic attitude and big-picture thinking, Carina serves as an “in-house consultant,” building relationships across the business to answer key questions leveraging D&A’s data, capabilities, and insights and empowering everyone to make better data driven decisions.

Carina has benefited from many mentors throughout her career, but credits Natalie Dupill, Marc Stolzman and Simon Lee at PDL for helping her navigate the ever-changing world and demands of retail.

Her advice to up-and-coming professionals is to take time to learn what type of work gives you a sense of accomplishment. She uses herself as an example. Originally going to school to be a high school math teacher, Carina found her curiosity, passion for learning and drive to solve complex problems took her down a much different career path. While different than what she planned, she has found her experiences incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.

make their lives easier. I find that many technological programs come with the ability to offer amazing efficiencies but balancing the amount of change management to get there can offer a challenge throughout projects.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with amazing supervisors who have all helped me through challenges to gain the skills I need today.

I’ve found having supervisors with varying communication styles has helped gain my confidence in establishing my personal style and learn how to work with various teams.

A defining moment in my career has been working on technical project rollouts to varying levels of adaptation. Seeing something built and worked on that then doesn’t have the change management in place to support end users has given me appreciation for holistic rollouts. Emphasize the planning from scoping all the way through the day-to-day administration post go live. I am one of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ambassadors for C&S.

50

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Sarah May Smart.Market VP of Sales Years with the company: Five Strategizing with business owners to help grow their business, helping others within our organization and being passionate about the success of our company has led me to my current role. In this position, I lead our sales

Maggie McLaughlin Roche Bros / Brothers Marketplace Store Director In my role with Roche Bros Supermarkets, I oversee the day-to-day operations of our Millis store.

This role includes achieving sales goals and initiatives set for us each year.

Aside from the technical responsibilities that come with the job, one of

Brittany Menyo Roche Bros / Brothers Marketplace Store Director Years with the company: 14 My job is to oversee hiring, training, merchandising, payroll, gross profits and customer

Kathryn Merrill Hannaford Store Manager Years with the company: 13 I oversee total store operations at one of our retail stores. Every day, I am responsible for leading the execution of our company strategy, standard practices, associate engagement, customer satisfaction, development, workplace safety,

team in the launch of a new product that is preparing to scale through key partnerships. I also help our national sales team implement new ideas through our executive management team, and partner with my colleague and mentor, Joe Moody, to help independent grocers identify who their shoppers are and how to engage with them.

The most rewarding aspect of my career is that I get to help people, whether it be a person on my team that is struggling, or an independent grocery store that is competing with a big chain moving in next door. The most challenging thing about my job is the lack of time; there aren't enough hours in the day. We all would love to have a clone button.

When I run into challenges on a day-to-day basis, I call on Joe, a partner in the grocery industry but also a wonderful mentor. Management, client strategies and personnel, he always has words of wisdom to share.

Approximately 18 months ago, it seemed as if everything clicked. It was a very defining moment in my career and it was the acquiring of confidence.

My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to not doubt yourself, know how valuable you are and your potential, but stay humble.

the main reasons that I love it so much are the associates. It’s the people that I work with every day that make this job great and make me look forward to coming to work each day. I pride myself in being a manager that goes out of her way to be supportive to all who work for me.

One of the most challenging parts of my job has been the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigating each day not knowing what the next day or even hour would bring. I had to be adaptable to changes that needed immediate attention while staying calm and trying to make my associates feel safe.

Work was extremely difficult at times.

This time was also a defining moment for me. I was so proud of myself

and my team for coming together to navigate the challenges in a situation that none of us had faced before. We never missed a beat and got through it together. It felt good to hear customers, as well as associates, vocalize that my store was a place that they really felt safe during a time of such uncertainty. One of the most rewarding in my career was when I received the FMI Store Manager of the year award in 2013.

I learned a great deal from my mentor, who showed me that retail can be a demanding career with many roadblocks along the way. However, if I always hold my head high, stay focused, keep challenging myself and always trusted my gut, I always find success.

service at our Medfield location.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is being a part of scouting and working with local vendors. Keeping “Local Love” our top priority gives us a chance to help grow other local businesses. Working with customers and seeing the impact our business has on their lives has also been rewarding.

Increasingly low staff levels throughout the industry continue to be our biggest obstacle.

One of my many mentors was a store director named Steve. He taught me how to give honest feedback, praise associates whenever possible, go the extra mile for associate appreciation week and always stay competitive.

My defining career moment to date was unexpectedly taking over the leadership role in a store for the first time during a pandemic.

My advice to anyone starting out in the industry is to lead by example – take out the trash, get your hands dirty, bag in the front end, show up every day and let people know that you are part of the team.

food safety, delivering positive financial results, and community support and involvement, just to name a few.

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing my team succeed, whether that be a long-term or short-term goal and working together to get there.

Developing team members to understand our business and helping create an understanding of the value in each other and in the important work we do to support our communities each day.

The most challenging part of my job is juggling all of the priorities between customer needs and supporting our associates. Some days there are just not enough hours in the day when trying to balance it all.

I look at my current director, Samara Bushey, as a mentor. She has supported me, given me feedback when needed and helped me mature as a leader.

A defining moment in my career would be leading through the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an immense amount of adapting through unprecedented times.

My advice would be to always be genuine, open and stay true to your values as a leader.

THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST • MAY 2022

Jennifer L. Merriman Peapod Digital Labs Director - Fresh Sourcing Years with the company: 22 years with affiliate companies across ADUSA I am accountable for leading the PDL Fresh Sourcing team, which involves partnering with the great local brands of ADUSA to leverage size and scale and drive value to

Ginger Miller Utz Quality Foods Director of Health and Benefits Years with the company: Nine I develop comprehensive benefits packages and programs that take care of the financial, physical and mental health of associates and their families.

I oversee the leave management and healthy return to work program,

Ryen Mill Giant Food eCommerce Marketing Manager Years with the company: Two I’ve worked in different industries in various marketing capacities and the most rewarding

April Mock The GIANT Co. Director of Communications & CSR Years with the company: Seven April Mock is proud to lead a dynamic team of storytellers who elevate the image and reputation of the company by delivering an integrated communications strategy, engaging stakeholders, building mutually

51

fuel the future of our fresh categories.

I find the amazing people I’m fortunate enough to connect with and learn from every day to be incredibly rewarding. I am energized by the collaborative relationships, dynamic and energetic culture and fast-paced environment of my role.

The most challenging part of my job is the relentless pursuit to anticipate the ever-changing needs of our great local brands and ensure we are positioned to exceed their expectations as a trusted thought partner.

Being offered the opportunity to lead an area of the business entirely outside of my core background/experience was a defining moment in my

career. This helped me to refine and strengthen my leadership approach and encourage others to explore opportunities outside of their comfort zone.

My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to have the courage to take risks. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Also, create a professional support network with key people who you can consult with and who care enough to be honest with you about development and growth opportunities, even when the message may not be easy to hear. I am a member of Network of Executive Women, Rowan County Helping Ministries and Food Lion Feeds.

maximizing the organization's productivity and presenteeism.

It is extremely rewarding to help associates navigate the complexities of their healthcare journey. Whether it is saving money on healthcare costs or finding a program to improve a chronic condition, it is satisfying to remove barriers for associates.

I am challenged by managing the company's healthcare costs, contending with many human variables, inflation and limited transparency.

This challenge has also brought me opportunities for innovation and disruption.

My mentor worked in a different area of the business but always took

time to check in and taught me value of elevating others. She passed after a heroic battle with ALS. I feel her guiding me on a daily basis.

After 20 years of working as an occupational therapist, a defining moment in my career was when I took a risk and accepted a newly created position at Utz as the health and wellness coordinator. I had no experience in human resources, much less in a snack food company.

My advice: Learn from each experience, approach every task with enthusiasm and aspire to be a contributing team member. I am a member of the Central Pennsylvania Business Group on Health and National Alliance of Healthcare Purchasers.

opportunities have come from my time in the food industry, specifically with Giant. My interest in consumer brand marketing combined with my appreciation of food and online shopping led me to Giant’s digital team.

I manage content on giantfood.com, content within Giant’s app and the marketing strategy for Giant Pickup and Giant Delivers.

One of the most exciting parts of my job is working with several individuals and groups across the business to support many of Giant’s departments on our digital platforms. While exciting, this can also at

times be challenging. Competing priorities and deadlines can be a lot to manage, but the continuous support I receive from my colleagues is part of why I enjoy the work that I do. At Giant, I've also gotten support through mentorship, which has shaped a few of my defining career moments thus far.

My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to find and lean on your work tribe for support, professional development and leadership opportunities.

beneficial relationships and making a difference in many communities.

She was promoted to her current role in May 2021 after serving as a key architect of the company’s brand strategy and full brand refresh.

April has a passion for mentoring and empowering others to reach their full potential. She serves as an advisor for the company’s women’s business resource group.

April is deeply committed to the community. She is an active board and committee member of food pantry Project SHARE and serves on the advisory board for the Children’s Miracle Network Hershey. In 2020, April was recognized with the YWCA Women of Excellence award in 2020 for her

community impact.

April is a past recipient of the Women of Influence in the Food Industry award and was recognized by industry leaders as a Who’s Who in digital shopper marketing and e-commerce.

Her advice for up-and-coming professionals is to 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.

52

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Jennifer Mohrlein Stop & Shop Human Resource Business Partner Years with the company: 16 Jennifer is a true leader within the organization who delivers results every day. Jennifer was vital to

Katie Murphy C&S Wholesale Grocers Senior Manager, Business Continuity Years with the company: Three

during disasters.

My role is to monitor threats to the C&S network, coordinate incident planning and response across departments and serve as partner to the public sector

Casi Murren Utz Brands Inc. VP, Sales and Trade Finance Years with the company: Six I lead a finance team that partners with the sales organization to provide sales reporting, forecasting and planning, as well as trade and selling expense reporting and analysis. What I find most rewarding is to guide and coach my

Teresa Oium-Zube Johnsonville Group Director, Operations Years with the company: 22 For the last 25 years, I've held various operations leadership positions in the meat processing industry.

improving the performance with her store management teams by engaging with them. She implemented different staffing strategies while leading a change in community involvement with her store teams through the recruitment process.

Her district onboarded 1,433 new associates in 11 months, in addition to 13 new exempts leaders. Jennifer helped oversee the promotions of 122 associates with the Rising Star program. She also helped further develop three ASMs by broad banding them into other roles.

Jennifer worked with her district director to implement robust development plans for future potential ASMs working within the stores.

Jennifer partnered with others in the organization to create a mentorship program targeted toward newer assistant store managers to help them work through challenges/upcoming impacts to the business while focusing on their leadership skills.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing colleagues go the extra mile during these incidents to support our customers and keep communities fed.

The most challenging part of the job is during/after large incidents, I have to shift my mindset from response mode, where I'm multi-tasking and rapidly organizing significant amounts of information, back into day-to-day/ planning mode.

One of my mentors was great at encouraging me to be my authentic self, versus trying to emulate other colleagues who were strong in other ways. The process helped me understand and value my true strengths.

One of the defining moments in my career was supporting C&S during the initial wave of COVID-19 and also supporting our government partners to better understand and anticipate supply chain disruptions. It was a chaotic time, but also quite the experience and an important case study for anyone in business continuity.

My advice is to understand and play to your strengths, but also don't be afraid to challenge yourself even if it makes you a little uncomfortable. In addition, don't be afraid to ask someone to be your mentor. The relationship and experience is invaluable. I am a member of Disaster Recovery Institute International.

team and see it succeed. What I find most challenging is the ever-changing world and how that affects our day-to-day job. As a result, pivoting is now a key part of my job description.

I have several mentors who have helped me in different aspects. My parents have used emotional intelligence, soft skills and empathy to guide meaningful relationships throughout their lives. They taught me that being honest and respectful will always prevail.

For the last several years, my direct supervisor has been a huge supporter of advancing my career in the right way. He has passed along many invaluable lessons and has guided me in becoming a better leader.

Becoming a mother during a pandemic and navigating the new title of “working mom” changed my career mindset. I became even more empathetic to the work-life balance of myself and my team. It has taught me that I need to do more delegating and don’t have to do it all when I can trust and empower my team. Lastly, motherhood magnified my outlook on women in the workplace and their need and benefit for a successful business.

I am the executive committee chair of Utz Women’s Mentoring Group, a board member of Main Street Hanover and a committee member of Pink Out Inc.

Since 2000, I've been an operations leader at Johnsonville. During that time, I've served as plant coordinator (plant manager) at two manufacturing facilities and launched a new business unit called sustainable swine resources. In my current role, I lead strategy and operations of four harvest and processing plants.

It's difficult to pick just one defining moment, but an accomplishment I am especially proud of is leading the launch of Johnsonville's SSR division, which created a new revenue stream, monetizing the approximately 38

percent of porcine materials that are not used in sausage production. SSR creates business opportunities in industries such as medical, life sciences and pet food and enrichment. In addition, it reduces waste in our business and is an important part of our sustainability efforts.

I breed and show Belgian Draft Horses and French Bulldogs. I also sit on multiple boards supporting the horse industry.

THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST • MAY 2022

Miriam Ort C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. Chief Human Resources Officer Years with the company: Two Miriam Ort is responsible for leading the human resources and communications organizations. Miriam

Kelly Paolangeli Rosie Tier 1 Sr. Support Specialist Years with the company: One I professionally provide and deliver delight to Rosie's retailer's – quality customer service and

Brandi Petway Giant Food HR Business Partner Years with the company: 25 I have held my position since August 2013. I joined Giant Food in May 1997 as a part-time cashier but quickly realized I wanted to go much further. I

Karin Picard Big Y Foods Manager of Supplier Relationships and Inventory Control Years with the company: 35 My job is to be a liaison for our stores, vendor partners and support center teams pertaining to ordering, receiving and crediting product that comes to our stores. My

53

joined C&S from Avis Budget Group, where she served as SVP of human resources, Americas.

Prior to Avis, Miriam spent nearly a decade in executive HR roles at PepsiCo, before which she was head of talent management for Avon Products, North America.

An accomplished author and speaker, Miriam co-authored the bestselling book “One Page Talent Management: Eliminating Complexity, Adding Value” from Harvard Business Press.

assistance before, during and after the retailer's requirements are met.

Most rewarding and most challenging is remembering it’s the retailer’s definition that counts. The retailer defines what service means to him or her. The retailer’s definition, in most cases, becomes the expectation. It is up to the company (and the people in it) to not just meet but exceed that expectation.

My mentor is an amazing individual. Nothing has ever been too big or small to tackle, no problem, idea or dream has been dismissed. A true

cultivator of others. You are absolutely appreciated.

I have defining moments all the time. Knowing that they exist and taking action on them is key. You are ever changing and so is the world around you.

Up-and-coming professionals: Be your own advocate, be your own voice, be a sponge. No question is big enough. Doing nothing will leave you exactly where you are.

I am affiliated with Fern Hollow Stables-Large Animal Rescue and New York Farm Women - Agri Business.

was selected to participate in the Retail Management Trainee Program. From there, I held an entry level management position, which allowed me to move into the assistant manager position. I was promoted to store manager and I fulfilled this role for several years.

My mentor early on was Ron Simon. He was my store manager and I was always fascinated with his ability to motivate people. Ron encouraged me to continue to move up in the organization and he has supported me along the way.

I would say my most defining moment was when I was able to promote

several associates to management positions while holding the store manager position. I quickly realized that I wanted to do this on a larger scale, which sparked my interest in human resources. I have a passion for helping people and this is what propelled me to join the HR team.

I'm fulfilling the role as a co-chair for the THRIVE Business Resource Group at Giant Food. In addition, I hold an executive secretary position on the board of directors at the Greater Washington Urban League.

Some advice I would give to others is to always speak up and don't assume.

responsibilities include managing delivery schedules, ordering systems, receiving policies and best practices for both receiving and credits.

The most rewarding part of my job is problem solving. If a store or a support center team member has an issue, I enjoy working with them to find a solution. The most challenging area of my work is managing myself as a resource. I am involved in many projects plus my daily functions, so I have to make sure not to overextend myself.

Working for Big Y as long as I have, I have been lucky to have many mentors over the years, each giving me a piece of my path that has gotten me where I am today.

I would say my most defining moment was the COVID-19 pandemic.

My department was in a state of transition when the pandemic started, which provided the opportunity for me to share my training and knowledge with others who I was not working with regularly. It opened up a new path in my career.

My advice to up-and-coming professionals is if you are given the opportunity to learn, take it. Even if it is not in your direct career path, it opens you up to other areas and helps you see the bigger picture. I am an administrative official for PVAA, a local USA swim team.

54

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Megan Salmon Hannaford Supermarkets Center Store Project Lead Specialist Years with the company: 18 I started as a produce clerk during my time in college and transitioned to a full-time associate

Jennifer Scott The GIANT Co. Director of Merchandising Acceleration Years with the company:10 Jennifer embraces The GIANT Co.’s purpose of connecting families for a better future and putting

Richa Sharma Associated Grocers of New England Application Development Manager Years with the company: Four I graduated from an engineering college in India before coming to America in 2010. Since then, my

Cortlyn Slanina Imperial Distributors Account Manager for Weis Markets Years with the company: Three I love my job because I always get to see my hard work on display when I am shopping in Weis Markets.

afterward. I’ve held numerous roles (operations specialist, store manager, etc.) within the organization, intentionally positioning myself to grow my knowledge of the business and challenge me.

When I look at my career, I have been fortunate to work with amazing leaders who believed in me and continuously challenged me to be the best leader that I could be.

The flexibility and support provided at Hannaford has not only positioned me to grow myself at work but also my family.

the customer at the heart of all she does. She joined the company in 2012 as a sourcing manager, supporting the merchandising team. Jennifer was promoted to category manager in 2016 and was responsible for producing a comprehensive and cohesive category strategy, as well as managing the profit and loss for her categories. Jennifer achieved bottom-line performance and over-delivered on budget for all key metrics – sales, volume, margin and market share.

Jennifer was promoted in 2022 to director of merchandising acceleration

and is responsible for integrating best practices for The GIANT Co. in partnership with ADUSA brands to accelerate merchandising processes.

Jennifer will oversee the transformation to self-distribution in partnership with ADUSA Supply Chain. Jennifer enjoys working on a cross functional team to accelerate merchandising initiatives and enhance the partnership with ADUSA Supply Chain to better serve stores and customers.

Jennifer plays an active role in her community as a volunteer, elected member of the school board, where she serves as vice president.

journey has been full of milestones, both personally and professionally. With change comes progression. So after obtaining a master’s degree, I restarted my career as a business analyst at Associated Grocers of New England.

These past years with AG have been incredibly rewarding, as I have not only gained a new perspective on the influence and impact of technology on a business, but I’ve also continued to expand my knowledge through the completion of a Frontline Management micro-credential, a leadership development program and becoming a Certified Scrum Product Owner.

I believe it is so important to take pride in what you do and to not be afraid to ask for what you deserve or seize the opportunities presented.

These personal philosophies have helped me develop from a business analyst to an application development manager. Most importantly though, a successful leader needs to stay humble, learn from their mistakes, build good relationships, work with people, influence others and get inspired.

The most rewarding part of my job is working with the customer to find ways to execute new and upcoming trends. It’s always great to see my ideas on display in the store.

The most challenging part of my job is dealing with shipping delays, shortages and cost increases, which have significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Advice I would give to up-and-coming professionals is to always believe in yourself, be willing to take risks, embrace new opportunities and never be afraid of change

THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST • MAY 2022

Deborah Ann Slomkowski C&S Wholesale Grocers Procurement Manager Years with the company: 12.5 I was originally hired as a buyer and worked my way up. Working with my team of 10 awesome

Johneice Smith Rosie Senior Tier 1 Support Agent Years with the company: One The best part of my job is meeting customer expectations and helping to feed America.

The most challenging part of my job is not

Stevie Smith Giant Food Corporate HR Business Partner Years with the company: 29

incredibly rewarding.

I am supporting the corporate office and the executive leadership team. I’m passionate about talent and people management. It’s a part of my role that is

Yesim Smith Giant Food Manager III Facility HR Lead Years with the company: Six I am a senior certified professional in HR. As part of the leadership team, I am responsible for the business's people strategy, leading a team that is accountable for workforce management, talent acquisition, employee

55

individuals, procuring product to satisfy the demand of our retailers, is rewarding to me.

It was challenging to keep my team focused, engaged, motivated and united while working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. We successfully overcame any obstacles and continued to do our best.

During this journey working for C&S, my mentor is a senior director. He provides suggestions and direction. Communication was a key factor with the success of the team and business.

I was sent to a trade seminar where I met and conversed with peers from other companies. When I returned, I was offered the position of manager.

This was a defining moment and unexpected.

To those professionals who are entering a career I advise them to listen, ask questions and always be open to helpful suggestions.

meeting a customer’s expectations. Customers have had to rapidly adjust their expectations because the shopping experiences have drastically changed how they shop and receive products.

A mentor who has helped me along the way is my mother, an awardwinning trans-woman who is a mechanical engineer with over 30 patented auto mechanical inventions every American uses today. She once told me that she hated her job and she hated going to work. She explained that hating your job was a completely normal part of life and everyone hates what they do for a living. I completely disagreed with that and vowed to

never hate what I do for work and to always love my job and to never ever be like anyone else.

The most critical moment in my professional career was when I felt I consciously made the decision to change my career trajectory in human resources in the auto-manufacturing industry to e-commerce. Witnessing such human injustices brought on by the company I worked for changed me.

I wanted to connect my vision with a company that supports my values and cares about people.

If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.

One of the biggest challenges for most functional areas, organizations and ultimately us as individuals is the concept of personal accountability.

How I can make a difference, make a change and “control my own weather.”

I’ve been fortunate to grow up in a company over the last 29 years, with many amazing, talented and inspirational leaders that at various points in my career have taken me under their wing and mentored me.

For the last seven years I’ve been honored with the opportunity to give back as part of a diverse group of high potential, driven and talented leaders.

We have the ability to collaborate, inspire and develop each other based on

our own individual expertise.

A defining moment in my career has really been the last four years working with a team of leaders who have challenged and inspired me, believed in me and provided opportunities for me to grow outside my comfort zone. I’ve not only grown professionally as a leader but personally as an individual. I achieved my PHR, SPHR and have begun my Ph.D program in IO psychology. To future leaders, I would say that I have learned the old adage, “If you’re not uncomfortable, you’re not growing” is true and has been an integral component for growth in my career journey.

relations and cultural effectiveness. This has enabled me to work with leadership to create an inclusive workplace, where we have seen employee satisfaction increase by 24 percent.

We have also been able to develop processes and procedures to retain the best talent, which in turn has helped improved the sales, customer satisfaction and created an overall territory growth in the e-commerce business.

I also have served as the chairperson for the Giant Food Women’s Business Resources Group, Women’s Inclusion Network, for the last two years. Being a leader of WIN has allowed me the opportunity to continue to

support our associates in a different way than I am able to in my current role.

I have learned that creating opportunities to provide visibility and connections are the key elements of lifting the talent and helping people reach their untapped potential. This helps create innovative and inclusive workplaces, communities and countries for the next generation.

I am now proud to say we have reached 50/50 gender balanced management team in our e-commerce facility and am excited to continue to work on creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.

56

MAY 2022 • THE GRIFFIN REPORT OF THE NORTHEAST

Cassandra Squeri Whisps National Account Manager Years with the company: Two I am a member of our sales team at Whisps and manage our club business. The most rewarding aspect of my job is building relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and finding mutually beneficial solutions to drive

Jennafer Tamburri Stop & Shop Store Manager Years with the company: 12 I manage the Stop & Shop in Somers, New York.

I have been in retail grocery for 33 years and enjoy what I do. I’ve held numerous roles, starting as a

Shannon Tobey Hannaford Store Managerr Years with the company: 22 I oversee the daily operations of our location in Oxford, Maine, delivering on financial targets, strong associate engagement and an excellent shopping experience for our customers. I love being a part of a team that contributes

Cynthia Volk Giant Food Director of Deli and Bakery Merchandising Years with the company: 20 I am a passionate foodie with enthusiasm to share knowledge. My appetite for developing others, paired

Rebecca Vukelich Advantage Solutions Regional Business Manager Years with the company: 24 I have experienced all the dramatic changes we have witnessed in the food industry. I started my

Jessica Yarmaloff JOH Associate Director – Analytics and Insights Years with the company: Eight I manage our analytics and insights team for the non-foods division at JOH. I am honored to work with

our business forward in partnership with our customers.

I have had the privilege of working with some incredibly inspirational female mentors. They instilled confidence and encouraged me to take ownership of key decisions for my business. Ilana Fischer, the CEO of Whisps, showed me what it means to lead a company with grace, humility and an unwavering will to win, all the while making sure our team was having fun along the way.

I started with Whisps in a sales support role, hoping to fully wrap my hands around the business and absorb the knowledge to eventually earn a customer-facing role. Through my time shadowing our sales leaders

and working hard to build my skills, I was able to earn a role calling on customers across multiple channels and closing key alternative whitespace accounts for Whisps. I eventually was able to attain a higher level role calling on a key club account.

My advice for up-and-coming professionals is that it is important to network early in your career and build strong professional and personal relationships. However, the best advice I have received is that no one will ever – or should ever – be a bigger advocate for you than you.

cashier, moved through departments and eventually into management. I have worked on numerous shrink, customer service and training projects for Stop & Shop.

I have had wonderful mentors throughout the years and Cindy Flannery, district director, was the one who pushed me outside my comfort zone and taught me to never give up on my goals. She moved me into the exempt management ranks, believed in me and was the one who helped me to become a store manager.

A defining moment was when I became pregnant with my daughter

Abigail, who is now 7, and I believed then that I would have to make a choice – mother or store manager. I never dreamed that I could handle both, as I am very dedicated and spent much of my time at the store. My company enabled me to be both a mother and a store manager. My Stop & Shop family worked with me and supported me when I needed it most.

I would tell all moms and dads to follow their dreams and never give up on their goals. It is possible to be a successful parent as well as a successful leader.

to our company's overall success.

The most rewarding part of my job is the people – from the associates to the customers and being part of a community. I have been able to meet some truly great people over the years.

Most challenging has been navigating the waters of the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been both a great challenge and reward in ensuring our customers’ and associate’ safety while still delivering on our strategy during these challenging times.

I have been lucky to have several great mentors who have guided me as well given strong and honest feedback to shape me and my career to this

point. A good mentor is always honest and not afraid to tell you what you may not want to hear.

My most defining moment: When I decided to pursue advancement within my company. No matter my personal needs, my company has supported me and presented ample opportunities for myself. Working for a company that has been as flexible as mine has allowed me to grow at my own pace.

Advice: Be true to yourself. Clearly state your objectives and pursue them with everything you have. You're not going to be the expert in everything and that's OK.

with intuition for knowing others’ needs, has contributed to building a reputation for serving and inspiring people.

In my role leading deli and bakery, I am responsible for the four P’s of merchandising – product, price, promotion and placement – along with the most rewarding P, people. Encouraging others’ development has been at the heart of each of my roles, no matter the responsibility.

One of my recent mentors helped guide me through not only making a life-changing decision to pick up and move my family for my career, but also

adjusting and thriving after moving. This moment lives in my memory as the best career move of my life thus far and I could not have done it alone.

My greatest piece of advice for up-and-coming professionals is to connect with as many people as you can. Mentoring has played a key role in my path; both being mentored and mentoring others. These are connections that can carry on with you throughout your life. Invest in them.

career as a shareholder in a local Wisconsin food broker, served as member of the executive committee of the regional operations in the process of growing to the premiere national organization of Advantage Solutions.

I have worked with some of the best CPG companies in the industry on the development and introduction of new items and brands across the Midwest market, creating the advertising and market programs with our customers, driving sales volume and the consumption and brand loyalty of the consumers.

The greatest aspect of my career has been the relationships built within my own organization, the customers and clients we serve within Advantage Solutions. Many of the brightest and best in the industry have served me as leaders and mentors.

Among other activities, I am a member of the Network of Executive Women, Women’s Interactive Network-Advantage Solutions/DEI and a board member for the Wisconsin Food Brokers Association.

such talented and creative teammates.

JOH encourages us to take analytics to the next level by challenging us to explore new and exciting opportunities. Having the ability to tell powerful stories through data to drive impactful and actionable results is priceless.

In such a fast-paced industry, we are always searching for the next big thing to help drive growth for our clients and customers. Fact-based selling continues to be increasingly more valuable in our industry.

JOH has provided me with invaluable connections and resources. I am

thankful for all my co-workers who took a chance and gave me the freedom to create something I am passionate about.

A defining moment in my career was having the vision to build out a department with others and watch it come to life based on hard work and dedication.

Advice for up-and-coming professionals: When you want something, don't wait for it to be handed to you. Work hard, learn from others, take risks and go for it.

17th Annual

in the food industry The

Shelby-Griffin Report

17th Annual

in the food industry The

Shelby-Griffin Report

Shelby Publishing is expanding our popular Women of Influence section from the Northeast to the other four regions of the nation Look for the following outstanding female leaders from across the country to be featured in our upcoming May editions…

MIDWEST Stacy Bowen Lauren Cook Jennifer Danby Heather DeLuca Kindl Furtak Janice Honigberg Anna Mancini Emily Most Sarah Nesci Molly Sullivan Andrea Teal Donna Tweeten Justyne Uribe Georgia Van Gundy Kristin Williams Ozlem Worpel SOUTHEAST Crystal Ackerman Kari Bailik Carol Jenkins Barnett Natasha Brinegar Caroline Catoe Taryn Clement Ashley Cox Kelly Davis Shannon Durham Denise Englade Karen Fernald Anne Gooden Brandi Goodin Jacqueline Hewitt

Katie Hotze Gina Iacovone Julie Joy Amanda Kennedy Melissa King Lindsey Kueffner Heather Link Donna Madere-Dickerson Julie Mann Hilary Mayclin Sarah Montgomery Marcy Nathan Ashley Oliver Terri Pardue Marcie Pellegrin Carrie Quigley Jennifer Santiago Sadrah Schadel Gayle Shields Melissa Shillinglaw Jennifer Short Caroline Skelton Valarie Wallace Elisa Westlund Stacy Wiggins Whitney Workman SOUTHWEST Kathryn Amatriain Michelle Clark Scharlanne Crozier Chelsi Drosche Tracy Frisbie

Rachel Gee Bridget Grabowski Kathy Grayson Stephanie Herrington Suzanne Lowrance Sandra Miller Theresa Motter Sara Stuart Myers Rachael Profili Sheri Rains Regina Roberts Monica Schierbaum Nora Sessions Jill Sumpter Elisabeth Urtado-Holzheauser Charlotte Weller Latasha Woodard WEST Misty Abella Deborah Alexander Tami Bronkema Katrina Brooks Rebecca Calvin Erin Carter Stephanie Corrales Tami Davis Ginny Diaz Whitney DeMille Molly Fleming Sheila Fletcher Isabel Garcia Cait Gunderson

Katherine Hansmann Sally Hernandez Carolyn Hotchkiss Carol Andrea Huang Janica Jesson Dawn Kelley Michelle Khider Nancy Klenow Peggy Krebs Tiffany La Pamela Leon Becca Lind Mari Mani Eureka McCrae Lynn Melillo Donna Mendes Hana Meyers Susanna Mkrtchyan Jennifer Pelayo Belinda Permenter Amber Radcliffe April Rice Maria Romero Ashley Shick Kelsey Slough Rosita Szatkowska Kathy Talamante Ashley, Torrijos Leticia Trinidad Tirado Elva Vivas Olivia Whelly