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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 11TH EDITION
BETH YOUNG Stop & Shop Supermarket Company (New England Division) Years with company: 18
Current position: District Director of Operations
volunteer organizations:
Education and professional/
BS, Psychology, Westfield State University Associate’s, Liberal Arts, Holyoke Community College Certified Situational Leadership Coach
KRISTIN ZIERAU The Albertsons Cos. Years with company: 28
Current position: Marketing Director, Safeway Northern California Division
Education and professional/ volunteer organizations: BA, Sociology Member, Network Executive Women, Northern California
Who are your mentors and how they have assisted you in your career? I’ve worked with a lot of very talented people throughout my
career. Three people stand out. Early in my career, Rojon Hasker taught me the importance of building relationships and treating people right. Nancy Cota taught me the importance of building teams, always staying true to your core values and how to get a meeting “fired up.” Dimitri Haloulos taught me the importance of investing in personal growth. He provided opportunities to step away from the day-to-day to learn. He pushed me and challenged me, and I’m thankful for having the opportunity to work with him.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? Do you have a defining moment of your career to date? I have had incredible opportunities. I launched Starbucks kiosks in our stores, started a new brand of meats and cheeses, led category management for our floral operation. Developed and launched too many marketing plans to list but very proud of the work around planning, grand openings, loyalty marketing, sponsorships and events. One defining moment was when I realized that I was not
STEPHANIE LENZI WHITE Giant Eagle Inc. Years with company: 15
Current position: VP of Merchandising Systems and Operations
Education and professional/ volunteer organizations: MS, MSIS/MBA, University of Pittsburgh BS, MIS, The Pennsylvania State University
The Griffin Report of the Northeast
March 2016
Who are your mentors and how have they assisted you in your career? I cannot select one individual that has helped me in my career. The list of people that have influenced, impacted me, coached, trained and mentored me is endless. I learn something new every day and truly feel that all associates, peers and supervisors I work with each and every day are why I am in my current position. Our teammates are what make this business a success, and with their influence, feedback and support, I would not have been as successful in past, current or future roles.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? Do you have defining moments of your career to date? I am very proud that I started as a part-time clerk while I was in college. The company had many opportunities for me to start a career. After graduation, I decided to go into the management program. I have excelled and held numerous roles within the company over the past 18 years. Working hard, being dedicated and treating your teammates well has been my philosophy and the way I approach all roles I have held and
it is why I have been successful in my career with this great company.
What is the most challenging part of your job? The business is changing every day. It is fast paced and demanding. Staying positive, upbeat and motivating your team is the best part of the job, but can be challenging to keep up with the pace. While I view this as challenge, it is also the most rewarding aspect of the job because at the end of the day you can celebrate, acknowledge all the wins and positive results that your team achieved.
What is your advice for up-and-coming executives? Work hard, never think you will know everything, be open to feedback and, most importantly, treat your team with respect, dignity and listen to them. By doing this you can excel and achieve your goals.
Who are your mentors and how they have assisted your in your career?
going to be promoted in the organization I was in. I gave my heart and soul to that job, not to mention the countless hours and missed family events to make an impact. If I wanted upward mobility, I needed to make a bold move. I took a lateral job into another area of the organization. Moving laterally at that time was not the norm. I found myself in a new role completely out of my comfort zone. Looking back, it was absolutely the best decision.
What is the most challenging part of your job? Managing multiple priorities while keeping the team motivated in an environment with constant change, a lot to do with limited time and resources. It’s taught me to be a simplifier.
What is your advice for up-andcoming executives? Build relationships. Surround yourself with people that you will learn from. Collaborate. Always have a point of view. Show up with a positive attitude. And above all, have fun along the way.
I have been so fortunate to have had so many different mentors at all stages of my career. My father, in particular, was a remarkable mentor, primarily because he instilled a strong work ethic within me. I’ve had the opportunity to surround myself with knowledgeable people who are willing to share their valuable insights and perspectives. I’ve learned that my mentors are not merely those in leadership roles, rather those at all levels of the business have taught me incredibly valuable lessons.
KARRI ZWIRLEIN
Tops Markets LLC Years with company: 23
Current position: Director of Bakery
Education and professional/ volunteer organizations: BS, Business Administration (cum laude), Medaille College, Buffalo, N.Y. Delta Associates Inc. Business Insights Bronze Certified Professional IDDBA Show & Sell Team Member
United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, United Way’s Women’s Mentoring program (3 Cups of Coffee), Let’s Move Pittsburgh Board Member, University of Pittsburgh Adjunct Professor and Executive Sponsor, Giant Eagle’s Women’s Business Resource Group, Lector and Eucharistic Minister, Cross-Country Coach
Who are your mentors and how they have assisted your career? I have had many influential mentors throughout my career, both personally and professionally. My father stands out as one of my most impactful mentors. He taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, striving to do my best and, most importantly, treating EVERYONE with respect.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? Do you have a defining moment of your career to-date? I am most proud of being in positions where I have been asked
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? Do you have a defining moment of your career to date? I am most proud of the people that I have helped develop over the years. The highest compliment is when someone comes to me for professional advice or guidance because they
view me as a role model. Defining moment of my career to date—my most recent promotion to director of bakery. It’s helped to validate all the effort I’ve put in over the years.
What is the most challenging part of your job? Making the right decision for both the department and the customer while faced with the challenges of the rising costs of ingredients and labor.
What is your advice for upand-coming executives? Make a decision, wrong or right; trust what you know and make the decision!
Hobbies: I am currently pursuing my black belt in Tae Kwon Do along with my two children and husband. Having recently received my green stripe belt, I have a long way to go, but I’ve found many of the principles of Tae Kwon Do to be applicable and beneficial to my work.
to mentor and coach others. It is such an honor when people respect me to the point that they ask me to mentor them. It is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
What is the most challenging part of your job? Balance! I am constantly trying to balance at work, at home and between work and home. There never seems to be enough time! I’m constantly striving to meet deadlines, drive the business forward and ensure every member of my team has the time and resources they need to be successful, constantly striving, as a single mom, to be there for my three amazing children while trying to find adequate time to volunteer/give back to the community. And I find myself feeling guilty because I can’t do it all.
What is your advice for up-and-coming executives? Take every chance you can to learn—stay open to new opportunities, embrace change and take risks.