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Tribute offers insight into careers of 26 honorees
The Shelby Report of the Midwest presents its 18th annual tribute to Women of Influence in the food industry. This year’s slate of honorees – 26 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 2023 Women of Influence.
Liz Bleakley St Pierre Groupe
Head of PR and Communications
I am responsible for global public relations and communications for St Pierre Groupe, working to raise the profile of the business and its brands with trade, consumer and B2B audiences, as well as overseeing internal communications initiatives at the U.K. headquarters. I develop and
Laura Boitnott
Cascades Speciality Products Group
Sales Manager
I have had a passion for business, marketing and understanding consumer trends for as long as I can remember. I graduated from Lindenwood University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration focused on international consumer marketing. My career for nearly 30 years has been focused on paper and food packaging sales. Customer needs in food packaging have changed dramatically over my career. The reward has always been in finding solutions to support the changes and challenges.
Over time, the culture of the industry has changed too. In my first job
Lauren Brown Fareway Stores Retail Systems Analyst
The most rewarding parts of my job include problem-solving with my team, generating more efficient processes and helping make other peoples’ jobs easier. I did not come from an IT background, so every day presents a new
implement strategic communications campaigns across U.K., Ireland, UAE and American markets.
The most rewarding part of my job is working with fantastic people and helping the business to foster a sense of community. People do business with people. Humans remember not what was said or done but how something made them feel. St Pierre Groupe puts people first, and it is incredibly rewarding to work for a business which can genuinely say that its team and culture are central to its success.
The most challenging part of my role is building relationships with associates on the “other side of the pond” from our U.K. headquarters.
after college, I was the only woman in our region. That year, I was the first woman in the history of the company to win the rookie award. Overcoming gender bias was not always easy. The best advice I can give women early in their careers is to be your authentic self. Do not let who you are set boundaries in your success. Cascades provides a safe ground for women to support each other through mentorship and development programs.
In my first leadership role, I worried if my success as a salesperson was enough to be a good sales leader. But in fact, passion is what drives a good leader. The love of your company, your team and customers are what makes a leader inspirational. As the sales manager for Cascades Specialty Products Group, I have had the pleasure of leading a sales team in the U.S. and Canada. Among our products lines, we offer sustainable solutions for protein and produce trays for the retail and processor markets.
Unprecedented demands on retailers during COVID-19 brought
learning opportunity for me. I enjoy the challenge of building a strong bridge between my team and other departments.
Throughout my career with Fareway, I have been fortunate to work with leaders who supported my growth and learning. Our database developer, Erik, taught me a tremendous amount in just a few years. Collaborating and brainstorming with him plays into my passion for generating ideas, which in turn breathes new excitement into my job each day.
Defining moments have been sprinkled throughout the projects I have worked on in my career. However, the most pivotal moments were those involving the choice to make a change. My most memorable choices usually
Whether that's relationships with media, colleagues or building consumers' relationship with our brand. That does, however, allow me fantastic opportunity to test and learn with new marketing techniques, explore more creative approaches and of course, travel the world. So even the challenges of my role make me incredibly lucky.
My advice for up-and-coming professionals would be to “stay hungry” – challenge yourself and your colleagues to do better, review your work and learn from it. And, if you can, try to laugh with people. They'll remember you for the smile you gave them.
unique and difficult challenges for my team. It was tough. Through it all the determination of the SPG sales team has made our customer relationships even stronger.
I have had many great mentors in my life. My grandparents were immigrants and raised their family during the Depression. They had a saying in Spanish that translated to “Charity starts at home.” I believe giving back to your community and the organizations that touch your family’s lives are the most important. I have served as committee chair for our school, community and the local Jaycees chapter. I volunteer to assist with business plans for the local Small Business Association and support various programs that touch the lives of children dealing with cancer in their families.
Working for Cascades allows me to grow both my passion for leading a purposefully engaged sales team but also serving my community.
involved turning away from the more comfortable option.
Reaching for new opportunities played an important role for me over the years. It took time and hard work to find the right balance in opening myself up to new things while maintaining focus and keeping my current actions aligned with my long-term goals.
My advice to other professionals is to find people who support you –people who cheer on the wins and offer support during the challenges. I have gotten where I am today because of all the amazing people around me.
Carrol Cheatwood
Save A Lot
Area Business Consultant
My position with Save A Lot allows me to be a liaison with independent retail partners. I consider it a privilege to work with the largest retail partner group in our company. My responsibilities include, but are not limited to,
Julie Companey Vericast
I am the lead grocery strategist for our entire grocery sales team and I also directly support half of the country’s grocery clients. My key responsibilities include studying the major industry and consumer trends, identifying
Alicia Cook
Save A Lot
Category Director
I currently manage a team that is responsible for half of center store, including beverages, snacks, candy, cereal, cookies/crackers, coffee/tea, condiments, baking/spices and ethnic foods. My team is responsible for
partnering with my retail partner to grow sales, improve their profitability and provide remodel support to improve the brand image.
I am also a part of the SAL team that helped my retail partner achieve 65-plus remodels over the past two years, with 18 more to be completed by August. While this project has been a huge undertaking, it has also been a rewarding and career-defining experience – one that has required me to stretch outside of my comfort zone.
I’ve had the honor of working with many leaders throughout my career, but my current leader and regional director, Glenn Dickson, has been a great
opportunities and suggesting Vericast media that can help our grocery clients gain sales and market share. I also provide an industry lens for Vericast leadership to stay abreast of emerging trends.
The most rewarding facet of my job is when a client realizes the impact from a campaign and acknowledges our approach achieved their objectives. The most challenging aspect of my role is customizing insights and opportunities for the broad variety of clients we serve.
At the start of my career in the industry, my manager recognized my strengths and showed his confidence in me by promoting me before I would
developing our core everyday assortment, which is primarily private label focused, as well as our promotional and national brand strategies.
The most rewarding aspect of my career is being able to deliver programs that allow our network of independent business owners to run a successful business model and support their local communities. One of the most challenging aspects of my role is working within our limited assortment model and finding the right items at the right prices that will drive sales.
I have been fortunate enough to have numerous mentors throughout my career who have challenged me to take on new opportunities and expand
– become the leading brioche brand in America.
mentor and has led by example. I started working for him at the beginning of the pandemic, and he helped our team provide our retail partners with the assistance needed to be successful during those uncertain times.
In 2022, I earned the Q1 and Q4 MVP for my region and the First Half MVP for all four regions of my company based on my results and efforts this past year.
My advice to women just starting out is to be true and honest to yourself and others, do not doubt your ability and take bold chances when chasing your dreams.
have pursued the next role, knowing I would step up to the challenge. His belief in me was a defining moment as it led me to pursue several leadership positions over the course of my career.
For those earlier in their careers, I recommend they ask questions that reflect their interest in knowing how the organization functions, how their role impacts others and the organization at large and solicit feedback on what’s required to move to the next level. Participate in mentorship programs.
my category knowledge to be able to advance in my career. Their leadership and support allowed me to cultivate my own leadership skills, which has helped me build trust with my team and my customers.
A defining moment in my career was taking the leap from a category manager, a role which had no direct reports, to a category director, a role that manages nine team members.
My advice to new professionals is to make connections at all levels within your organization, and don't be afraid to take on projects and challenges that give you exposure to the executive leadership level.
The most rewarding part of my role at St Pierre is playing a key part in building a brand that has –over the past eight years and with a lot of hard work
Directing the brand strategy to maintain our position as No. 1 in a fiercely competitive market is a challenge in my role. However, being lucky enough to work on a brand I have such passion for makes it a challenge I enjoy and it allows me – with the support of the wider marketing team – to take a creative, unique approach to everything we do to remain No. 1.
Early in my career, as we were launching the St Pierre brand in the U.S., I was lucky enough to work closely with St Pierre founder Paul Baker. He is
a motivational leader and empowered me to trust my instincts and always think outside the box. He is a mentor I am privileged to have worked with and led me to have the confidence to develop in my career at St Pierre.
The advice I would give up-and-coming professionals is to take every opportunity, ask questions and never stop learning.
Kerri Dishman Fresh Foods
Owner Growing up on a ranch in Nebraska, I learned at a young age how to work hard. My parents instilled not only hard work ethic but also pride in a job well done. They taught me if you’re going to do the job to do it right the first time. Playing college basketball and graduating in three years proved that I
Erin Fleckenstein Peapod Digital Labs Chief of Staff-Technology
In my dual role leading the office of the CTO, as well as chief of staff at PDL, I am lucky to be building a team that is responsible for a wide variety of
Lindsey Hickey
Simek’s President & CEO
Lindsey Hickey is on a mission to make mealtime a better time for all. Hickey joined Simek’s in 2008 and became co-owner and president in 2010 to firmly establish the company as a second-generation family-owned and certified women-owned organization.
Under Lindsey’s leadership, Simek’s has grown from a local frozen food company to the fastest growing frozen lasagna and meatball brand in the U.S., while helping millions of people along the way.
Jennifer Hopper
Save A Lot
Chief Information and Digital Officer
Save A Lot serves as the hometown community grocery store at over 800 locations across 32 states. We strive to be America’s most loved discount retailer through our commitment to add unmatched value in every hometown we
learned what my parents taught me. The year 2012 brought the opportunity for my husband, Ben, and I to fulfill his dream of opening his own grocery store. Being a team player, I was ready to make that move as we started our own family business with our two children.
We named our store FreshFoods to represent our business values – fresh, fast, full and friendly. Today, we have six locations in Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado. I have enjoyed the fast paced, innovative business. There are always new products and processes to learn about, but treating people like people is the best advice Ben has given me for this industry.
We have continued the legacy, teaching this to our team and have
functions across technology. I love this role as it brings together my passion areas of people, insights and strategy.
The most rewarding part of my job is building my team, and seeing measurable progress through our mission of enabling leaders through transparency and data-driven decision making.
Over my career, I have been lucky to cross paths with a lot of talented people who have mentored me and helped me grow. One of these mentors was instrumental in a defining moment in my career as he identified my
Lindsey has fortified strategic partnerships with key retail industry leaders, launched innovative new items, expanded distribution into new markets, donated millions of meals and removed ocean-bound plastic from the environment. Her mission is to create a guilt-free mealtime with convenient foods that are crafted with quality ingredients and homemade taste, which also make an impact in our community, country and world. With her passionate expertise, Lindsey led the Simek’s team to increase sales by 148 percent in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Lindsey believes in using business as a force of good and proudly led the organization through its B Corporation certification in 2022, making Simek’s the only women-owned frozen food brand in the U.S. with this certification. She also led the launch of impact partnerships with Feeding
serve. Our customers are the driving force behind our relentless commitment to excellence.
I am carried forward on the shoulders of giants. I had the great honor of learning from some of the greatest who exemplified the true meaning of bold leadership. The days can be daunting but the giants before me didn’t back down. They stayed in the fight on the hardest of days, and I plan to do the same for the generations to come. We all must do this. We are the giants of tomorrow.
Defining moments of my career center around the concept of taking
enjoyed watching people grow in their own successes. I like to help people see possibilities and not problems, allowing them to take a new position on the situation and think outside of the box.
Current or past serving positions: Gering Merchants Association; Scottsbluff YMCA board; Maranatha Bible Camp Board; volunteer at church and other community events.
FreshFoods has received Panhandle Business and Professional Employer of the Year awards, and multiple Excellence in Merchandising Awards from AWG.
strengths and passions and introduced me to the concept of the office of the CIO/CTO and chief of staff.
The creation of this new role in my previous company was a turning point for me, as it gave me an opportunity to utilize my strengths in a new way and catapulted my career in a different direction.
My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to trust who you are and be confident. If you can find a way to bring your passions into your daily work, it will continue to be rewarding for years to come.
America and RePurpose, where every product purchased donates a meal locally and removes the same amount of plastic from the environment as used in the packaging and shipping of that product.
In 2022, Simek’s donated more than 2.8 million meals and removed the equivalent of 26.3 million plastic bags from the environment, furthering its mission to provide great food for the greater good.
Lindsey has been recognized for her outstanding leadership numerous times. In 2018, she was a Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 40 under 40 recipient. Lindsey was recognized in 2023 with the Frozen & Refrigerated Women Achieving Remarkable Distinction Award. She has also been featured in many national news articles, including Forbes.com and Frozen & Refrigerated Buyer, as well as local news channels’ TV segments and articles.
the seemingly impossible challenge, breaking it down to its consumable components, communicating the opportunity effectively, agreeing to our common theme, devising a plan and knocking it out of the park.
To continue at a highly positive success rate when the cynics' voices are loud, I reflect on an excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech to hold me center: “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again…his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Heidi Huff A2 Advertising
SVP-Consumer Engagement
I have spent the last 15 years in the grocery business - the independent grocery business- and I love it. I lead an extremely talented group of people who help independent grocers succeed with marketing and advertising solutions.
Haley Johnson Peapod Digital Labs
Commercial Strategy Manager
As a senior manager, I am focused on collaborating across Ahold Delhaize USA to deliver impact that brings our future vision to life. The most
Tara LarsonJOH
Account
ExecutiveThe most rewarding thing about my job is providing value. This includes helping JOH’ers, clients and customers. Being of value to them can be anything from getting new items accepted and growing sales to providing insights and information they may not have had before.
Emily Mallahan
Certco
VP of Marketing and Retail Technology
What is most rewarding about my job – working with independent retailer owners and helping them navigate marketing in an ever-changing retail environment with fickle shoppers. The most challenging part of my job is how fast everything is changing
My team is instrumental in supporting independent business people with solutions to help them succeed. Many of our clients are four-plus generations strong. Knowing that we help them with today's tech, solutions and expert guidance to efficiently run their business makes it all worth the effort.
One thing that has defined my career is when I realized that I love working in a space of creating something new. Whether it's a program or a new department within the company, this is where I have passion and thrive. This has guided me as I have moved throughout my career knowing what kind of work and environment helps me shine has been the key to my work
challenging – and rewarding – part of my current role is facilitating difficult conversations and building relationships as ADUSA grows and changes.
I’m lucky to have an immensely supportive network at ADUSA –including my manager, Abby Cook, Natalie Dupill and Tonya Herring – to name a few.
Before joining PDL in 2020, I worked as a consultant serving clients in the food and beverage space. I’m passionate about food and enjoy experimenting in the kitchen. Joining PDL allowed me to combine my love
The most challenging thing about my role is juggling the constant changes within the industry. Whether it is cost increases, supply issues or urgent tasks with short lead times, I strive to give every project the same level of effort and attention. When various changes and tasks hit at once, it can be challenging.
I’ve been fortunate to have multiple mentors throughout my career, but the most impactful person in my current role has been Greg Reed, VP of JOH Grand Rapids. With his guidance, I’ve learned the ins and outs of the broker business. He gave me great opportunities that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. His belief in me from the very start gave me the confidence to
and keeping retailers updated on the urgency of change and the necessity of scale.
I have been so blessed with incredible mentors throughout my career. Dave Norton, who was SVP of marketing and merchandising at Haggen, taught me how to read the room and call people out for engaging discussion.
Cheryl Black at You Technology taught me how to build a strong team through grace and understanding. Dave Ryman at Certco is continually teaching me to focus and finish.
And Amy Niemetscheck, who emulates life balance, has shown me that
happiness.
A key piece of advice I give to my team is to figure out what is it about your job/career that they love and why and what they don’t like. This may seem simple – and it can be – but it's important so that as they continue to grow in their career, we can determine what next step will and won't be right for them.
I am honored to be a nine-year member of the WGA Executive Board of Directors, currently serving as VP and treasurer, and a member of WGA's Executive Female Leaders Network. I am also a member of the NGA Foundation Board of Regents and a member of CHIEF.
of food and nourishing people and my professional strengths of storytelling, problem solving, and influencing to deliver impeccable solutions.
My time with PDL has created incredible opportunities for me to grow, take on more responsibility, build my confidence as a professional and balance my work and personal lives. My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to ask questions and be confident in your abilities.
try new things and succeed.
A defining career moment was going to work for JOH. It has provided me with enormous growth opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. I’ve learned so much about the grocery industry.
My advice for up-and-coming professionals is to take the opportunities you are given even if they seem like a risk. If they don’t work out, you’ll learn something new and make new connections.
if I take the time to be a good mom, partner, friend and daughter, I can also come to the office as the best professional. I've truly learned from some of the best.
A defining moment in my career was when I recognized that I could hole up and continue to collect a paycheck – or I could leave and make a difference. I chose to leave and make a difference. And I love my job.
I survived the executive management program at USC, am active with the EXFL/NGA and love to volunteer at church on Sunday mornings. But my favorite thing is hanging with my kids and family.
Darlene Murphy Metcalfe’s Markets Marketing Director
Metcalfe’s Markets is a family-owned and -operated company that is over 100 years old with three locations in Wisconsin. I enjoy how my current role has so many different aspects – creative, strategic and analytical. However, that variety also makes my role challenging. Because there are
Laura Dierberg Padousis Dierbergs
I am a fourth-generation family member currently serving as EVP for Dierbergs Markets, a 27-store, family-owned chain in St. Louis. Starting at 12 years old, I worked summers through high school and college in floral, produce, video centers and as a cashier.
Kristin Popp Woodman’s Food Markets
EVP
I have been with the Wisconsin-based organization for 26 years. In this role, I work directly with our operations team to ensure our stores are fully
Jena Sowers iPro Systems CEO
The most rewarding piece of my job is getting to know my independent retailers, and working hard to provide them with solutions that help them to better compete in a rapidly changing industry. My passion is to see our retailers thrive and support their local communities across the country.
such diverse areas to cover, it can be a struggle to focus and prioritize. I very much enjoy working with our local vendors. It is a privilege to tell their stories and be part of their success.
Early in my career, I worked with several restaurant industry entrepreneurs. I was mentored by this motivated, smart, energetic and hardworking group of folks and continued to learn from them for many years. Over 15 years later, I am still in touch with many of them, and they continue to be excellent sounding boards and sources of inspiration.
A defining moment in my grocery career was our first Creative Choice Award win at the National Grocers Association Show. Being new to the
I graduated from Vanderbilt with a bachelor’s degree in human and organizational development. Passionate about sustaining the family business into the future, I focus on digital transformation and business process evolution while also spending much of my time in real estate, marketing, HR and operations.
I oversee charitable giving as well, devoting company and personal resources to organizations solving for food insecurity, education, DEI, disease prevention, animal welfare and community improvement.
It wasn’t just one person who influenced me. Learning from people at every level of the company has allowed me to grow in ways that I never
supported and meeting standards and expectations, oversee all functions for our corporate teams and seek opportunities for the company to increase efficiencies as we look forward while maintaining the foundation of our success.
I am also a part of the 2023 NGA Strategic Planning Committee and on The NGA Show Planning Committee.
According to the person who nominated Popp, “As president, Kristin has led the growth of the Women Grocers of America to a professional,
The biggest challenge is the complexity that comes with meeting the needs of such a diverse group of independent retailers, from single store operators to chains that manage 200 or more stores.
I was blessed to grow up on a farm with parents that taught me if I was willing to work hard, I could do anything I set my mind to. I also benefited greatly from a leader for the past 20-plus years, Mike Bokarae, who ensured I was at the table for all strategic conversations and decisions. He ensured I was given every opportunity to be in the spotlight, grow and continually challenged me to develop my leadership capabilities. Those experiences are what prepared me for my current role as CEO.
grocery industry, when I attended my first show and saw the awards ceremony, I wanted to create a campaign that would get Metcalfe’s (and me) up on that stage. It took four years, but we got a win and have taken home an award (or two) every year since.
My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to find ways to keep fueling themselves. There is always more to learn. It is important to make time to sit in on webinars, read newsletters and blogs and participate in share or networking groups. This will pay dividends.
imagined. The best advice I received was from my father, who said “always ask questions.”
Transitioning to full time after my three kids entered elementary school was a defining time as I fully immersed myself in the business. Embracing the uncomfortable, I learned that success is a moving target. In 1917, my grandfather wrote “find a way or make one,” and I have found that curiosity is the linchpin to our growth. Being on the team is so fulfilling as we have an incredible group of people who seek to make Dierbergs a better place to work and shop every day.
relevant organization in the independent grocery industry, implementing opportunities to support females at all levels of their careers and looking to engage the next generation to attract and retain into the industry.
“From the successful launch of the Executive Female Leaders (EXFL) Network to the soon-to-be launched Emerging Female Leaders (EFL) Share Group, she is helping to offer opportunities to female university students and expanding the scholarship support of women looking to continue their education."
The most defining moment of my professional career was taking my passion for independent retailers as an executive at a Fortune 500 company to Alliance Retail Group, whose mission and team dynamic is more aligned with my own.
My advice: Love what you do, who you do it with and who you do it for. I feel incredibly blessed to have found that here. As a mother of two boys, setting that example is incredibly important to me.
Donna Tweeten Hy-Vee Inc.
President
I oversee marketing, private brands, digital development and Hy-Vee’s retail media network, Red Media. A state-of-the-art retail media network, Red Media helps brands precisely target consumers through first-party data. Red Media is positioned to revolutionize how suppliers sell their products
Georgia Van Gundy
Hy-Vee
Inc.
EVP, Chief of Staff, Chief Customer Officer
I oversee multiple areas within Hy-Vee, including human resources, education and training and corporate communications, as well as community and government relations. In my role, I am responsible for leading Hy-Vee’s
Bridget Wasser
Midan Marketing
Associate Director, Customer Insights
Bridget has been leading the CIT team since September 2021 but has been moving the meat industry forward for years. Prior to joining Midan, Bridget served in a variety of roles at the National Cattlemen’s Beef
Kristin Williams
Hy-Vee Inc.
EVP, Chief Health Officer
Amber Specialty Pharmacy
President
Early in my career, I was fortunate enough to have two Hy-Vee pharmacist mentors who were influential in my decision to pursue a career
and maximize their marketing with smarter, more strategic placement and messaging.
I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors, including Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s executive chairman of the board and executive director, who has been one of my biggest cheerleaders. Randy has challenged me to never think of the customer as transactional but rather to view them as partners in building a beneficial relationship. He also encourages me to find new ways to make Hy-Vee part of customers’ lives.
One of the most memorable moments in my career happened this past year when I became the first woman to serve as president in Hy-Vee’s
initiative to become the best place to work in America.
The most rewarding part of my role is the people of Hy-Vee. We employ more than 80,000 unique individuals who work every day to provide outstanding service to our customers.
This past year was a significant one as Hy-Vee became a Great Place to Work-certified company and received national recognition for our efforts to create an inclusive workplace through recruiting, employee engagement and enhanced benefit offerings. We also introduced our first Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summits in support of minority- and
Association for 16 years, where she initiated and strategically executed the “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” e-commerce marketing campaign.
She strategically led the beef industry’s product quality research program to improve beef eating quality and served as the technical product expert, responsible for knowledge on all aspects of beef cuts, fabrication, processes, culinary execution, etc.
Bridget also led all beef product-related education efforts and speakerships for numerous internal and external stakeholder audiences, and also oversaw the “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” supply chain, culinary
in pharmacy. Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s executive chairman and executive director, was another mentor who selected me to open Hy-Vee’s first pharmacy fulfillment center, which ultimately brought me to where I am today at our corporate headquarters.
Throughout my 30-year career at Hy-Vee, it’s been rewarding to witness the evolution of Hy-Vee’s health, wellness and pharmacy services. Hy-Vee has made great progress in helping people live healthier lives through nutritious food choices, personalized counseling and affordable access to care. We all have choices on how we want to be healthy, and this definition is so very individualized. It’s an exciting industry that keeps evolving.
93-year history. This role is significant to me and for women across our industry as we bring forward more female perspectives at the highest levels in our companies, where inclusive thinking is critical.
My advice to young professionals is this: If you’re the only woman in the room, you need to find ways to bring more women into the room with you and support them in their careers. Find your voice and use it. Be empowered to share your ideas and emotions. No matter where you come from, we each bring unique strengths and perspectives that should be heard.
women-owned businesses across our local communities. As a company, we are committed to giving back to our people and our places.
My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to be true to yourself. You must be confident in your abilities and not be afraid to make mistakes. Every mistake made is a lesson to learn from.
Beyond Hy-Vee, I serve as a board member of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Unity Point Foundation, United Way of Central Iowa and America’s Cultivation Corridor Board. I also serve as deputy on the Iowa Business Council.
and food influencer programs. She ended her career at NCBA as the senior executive director of product research and education.
Today, Bridget leads CIT strategy and insights direction and facilitates high level internal stakeholder collaboration, as well as relationships with external clients and vendors. She has helped build up the market research team, completing recent consumer studies, such as beef and pork attributes. Bridget is particularly proud of her involvement in Midan’s one-of-a-kind consumer research, which can inform clients and the broader meat industry.
My advice to up-and-coming professionals is to always have faith in yourself. You will be faced with many challenges, but in the face of adversity never, ever blink. There are always opportunities to advance and learn, but you have to put yourself out there and not be afraid to fail. If you take the chance and put in the time and effort, you will succeed.
Outside of Hy-Vee, I serve on the board of directors for the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy. I also serve on the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation’s board.
Mandi Woodworth Imperial Distributors Regional Account Manager
My current position is account manager for the Ohio-based business at Imperial Distributors. I have been with the company for a short six months but
Ozlem Worpel Seaboard Foods
VP Marketing, Innovation and Communication
Ozlem Worpel joined Seaboard Foods in August 2022 to lead the company’s marketing, communications and innovation. Her responsibilities include marketing the Prairie Fresh and Daily’s Premium Meats brands ,as well as directing the company’s innovation, brand and corporate
Lindsey Ziegler
Cub Foods
District Manager
The most rewarding part of my job is having the opportunity to serve and lead a team of store directors and watching them do the same for their teams. The most challenging part of my job is evolving and adapting to the continuous change of our customer's needs, especially following the pandemic.
My mentor, Margie Judd, has continuously guided, challenged and supported me throughout my career. She has been my mentor for roughly seven years. Since then, she has always placed me in a position to be uncomfortable and challenged in the most rewarding way. Margie is not only a mentor but a sponsor and a voice for me when I'm not in the room. Being a fellow woman of the industry for many years, it's essential for us women to stick together and support one another. Everyone deserves to have a Margie.
have worked with Imperial in my previous position at Buehler's Fresh Foods.
Buehler's is a grocery chain in northeast Ohio that recently went from a family-owned company to an ESOP. I worked my way up through Buehler's for almost 15 years until I saw a great opportunity to continue to grow my career with Imperial. I had several great mentors throughout my career at Buehler's, who all supported me with my decision to continue my career at Imperial. I now call on Buehler's as its account manager, along with Acme Fresh Markets, Dave's Supermarket and several Independent stores in Ohio.
communications and corporate sustainability.
A native of Istanbul, Turkey, she has held multiple marketing and meat industry positions throughout her career. Prior to joining Seaboard Foods, she served as a brand manager and director of marketing at Tyson Fresh Meats. She started her meat industry career in 2007 as Sterling Silver brand manager at Cargill and later held roles with the company as a foodservice marketing manager and a value-added product manager.
In Turkey, her marketing experience included stints at Toys“R”Us, Mattel Toys and United Colors of Benetton. She moved to the United States in 2006 with her late husband, Neal. She studied economics at Marmara University
A defining moment of my career was roughly four years ago when I applied for a higher position and was told I needed to cycle myself in my role at the time as a store director for a few years. I pushed myself harder than ever during this timeframe and have since been promoted to my current role.
Advice to up-and-coming professionals: Be patient, but persistent. Sometimes it turns out to be those tough, defeating conversations that genuinely pave the way toward our paths to success.
What I find most rewarding about my job is the continued relationship I have with Buehler's, and the new relationships I get to build with my other accounts. Building a good relationship with your customers helps to build trust with them, which is important in this business.
Advice I would give to future professionals would be to not be afraid to take on something new. It could be the greatest decision for yourself and for your career.
in Turkey and earned a bachelor’s degree from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin.
Ozlem resides in Overland Park, Kansas, and has twins, Isabella Naz Worpel and Andreas Cem Worpel. Cem attends the U.S. Military Academy and Naz attends Kansas University. The family also has two furry members, a golden doodle dog, Talim, and a cat, Bamsi.
When she’s not attending Kansas City festivals and concerts or savoring the city’s world-famous barbecue, she enjoys reading, her book/wine club and traveling to new places.
Shelby Publishing has expanded its 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…
SOUTHEAST
Crystal Ackerman
Jesi Allen
Brandi Appell
Tracy Aquila
Ginger Atkins
Harley Breaux
Susan Brosnan
Caroline Catoe
Gwen Christon
Lora Coggins
Amber Cramer
Jennyfer Dickenson
Jennifer Enoch
Sandi Ford
Jennifer Holmes
Heidi Huff
Linda Johnson
Lauren Kennedy
Adrienne Khomphengchan
Megan Kiersey
Jennipher Landry
Jackie LaPointe
Erin McCulloch-Crume
Sierra Merritt
Kellee Miller
Sarah Montgomery
Brooke Rice
Sally Robinson
Andrea Rodriguez
Deborah Sabo
Marygrace Sexton
Jennifer Sierk
Rene Stai
Terri Templin
Karen Watkins
Ginger West
Jenny Zabaneh
SOUTHWEST
Melanie Bauman
Stephanie Bazan
Noma Burr
Samantha Bustillo
Julie Companey
Shannon Flowers
Laura Gump
Meggie Giancola
Carolyn Gouldthorpe
Merrilee Kick
Becca May
Casey Piatt
Amy Pinkerton
Dwana Day Robertson
Elysia Trevino-Gonzales
Kara Watson
Tracy Watson
NORTHEAST
Meyka Albright
Felis Andrade
Carolyn Barbarite
Patty Barry
Robin Bisson
Tina Black
Samantha Brown
Jenn Carson
Jennifer Carter
Andrea Chapman
Kate Clarke
Ingrid Crane
Michele Delozier
Tayna Demetriou
Elda Devarie
Aimee Diliberto
Laurie Drake
Mary Fassett
Alona Florenz
Sandi Ford
Adrienne Frank
Christine Gallagher
Maureen Gillespie
Kim Griffith
Patricia Herrick
Hasija Hodzic
Joan Hubbard
Alisa Hundley
Thu Huynh
Adrienne Khomphengchan
Jamie Lee King
Jennifer Heinzen Krueger
Nicole Kunecki
Sarah LaFollette
Tricia Lorenzetti
Emily Massi
Amy McAllister-Flynn
Michelle Morale
Erica Perry
My Pham
Cynthia Ramos
Kendrick Repko
Michelle Rex
Marisa Robertson
Cheryl Rondenelli
Mary Seibel
Amy Stainbrook
Suzette Stevenson
Amanda Stromgren
Rachael Vegas
Ann Visser-Depp
Katie Zapata
Karri Zwirlein
WEST
Angelina Alcantar
Heesook Alden
Delaney Bashaw
Samantha Bertoncini
Katrina Brooks
Lori Brown
Rebecca Calvin
Megan Campos
Alondra Carcamo
Amanda Cuellar
Abby Ellis
Shannon Flowers
Faith Garrard
Angel Gonzalez
Liz Gustafson
Michelle Larson
Yvonne Manganaro
Natalie Merienne
Sunny Reelhorn Parr
Clara Lahlouh Paye
Kristin Peters
Subriana Pierce
Casey Platt
Veronica Rios
Angela Seibel
Denise Singler
Mindi Tamparong
Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks
Caitlin Weins
Simone Hadley Wilson
June Wong
Sonig Yirikian