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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 12TH EDITION
The Griffin Report of the Northeast
March 2017
DANIELLE VIRANT ABBOTT
ter prepare promising young leaders for their first leadership role.
Years with company: 24
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Current position:
Division VP, Commercial Services
Education and professional volunteer organizations: BS, Marketing, Ohio State University.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements?
At Abbott, we strive to foster a culture of innovation, leadership and continuous learning. I was interested in developing future leaders and started an inaugural leadership development program for my team. The program helped identify where to focus talent development efforts, outlined key leadership competencies and helped anticipate the future leadership needs of our market. The program was successful, and we launched it to the larger organization to bet-
Globally, families count on Abbott every day to deliver trusted, science-based nutrition products, such as Similac and Ensure, to nourish their families at every stage of life. Excellence is key. My job is to ensure we are delivering on our support of the business— keeping my team focused on the big picture as we are challenged with day-to-day operations, obstacles and problem-solving. Even with the best planning, there will always be something that throws you a curve. The key is being prepared, remaining flexible and coming up with creative solutions to get back on track and moving in the right direction. The best leaders deliver on the day-to-day business while having an eye to the future and the big picture.
DEBORAH WHETSTONE WAHL DEBBIE WAHL FOOD STYLING Years with company:
Do you have a defining moment of your career?
35
Leaving the corporate world to start my own business was the most pivotal. In the past decade I have moved from working regionally to travelling weekly to various renowned food photography studios across the United States and Canada. It is enormously satisfying to meet the challenges of styling when expectations are set at a high level.
Current position:
President/Food Stylist
Education and professional/volunteer organizations:
BS, Commercial Foods (major) and Communications (minor), Ohio University (with honors).
What are you most proud of in your career achievements?
I am proud that many times throughout my career I have been part of a creative team who helped clients achieve positive sales growth through the use of our food images. My food styling can be seen on packaging, menus, menu boards and multiple sales pieces as well as in national magazines. I am equally proud of the strong working relationships I have established with clients, colleagues and photographers over the years.
I N
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Traveling to various cities on a weekly and sometimes daily basis is the most challenging part of my job. There are times when I am in three different cities in the course of a week. Collaborating with different photographers and clients for each new project requires that I be adept at quickly discerning their expectations, goals and preferences. In addition, often I am working with new products that come to the studio in limited quantities or in raw form and I
T H E
HEATHER WHALEN BUTTERBALL LLC Years with company: Eight
Current position:
Regional Sales Manager
Education and professional/volunteer organizations: BS, Business Administration. Florida Grocery Manufacturers’ Representatives.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? The respect and reputation I’ve earned with my customers. The recognition I’ve received within each company I’ve been a part of for my work ethic, knowledge, and positivity, as well as being a successful female in a male-dominated meat industry.
Do you have a defining moment of your career?
When I switched from category management at a $25 billion company, Sara Lee, to a $1 billion company, Butterball, which
F O O D
33 and a half
Current position: VP & COO
Education and professional/volunteer organizations:
BS, Business Administration (emphasis in Marketing), San Diego State University Vice Chair, United Fresh Produce Association Wholesaler Distributor Board; board member, United Fresh Produce Association; former chair, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Parent Advisory Council; former VP of operations, Temple Beth David Board of Trustees; former publicity chair, Temple Beth David Board of Trustees; former auction event chair, Westerly School of Long Beach fundraising gala.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? My parents were incredible role models. They instilled the value of a strong work ethic and holding true to your guiding principles.
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Never sell yourself short. There is no magic path for your ideal career—it is about the journey and your accomplishments along the way. This includes lateral moves and special projects that interest you. When it gets tough, which it will at times throughout your career, you need to step back and think about what is important to you. If you know your priorities, this will always guide you in challenging situations and key decision points.
Hobbies:
I love spending time outdoors, cooking, reading and walking my dog. I also enjoy anything that involves time with my family, including an occasional golf game.
have to create a beautiful yet accurate representation of what it will look like when it is introduced nationally.
Do I have any advice for upcoming professionals?
I will address this to those who want to pursue food styling. Get a strong culinary foundation through formal schooling so that you understand the science of food along with proper techniques. Take art classes and marketing courses so that you understand design elements and “marketing speak.” Supplement education with actual work experience through working in restaurants or similar foodservice situations. Then, work as an assistant or intern with an established professional and be willing to take on any task!
Hobbies:
I love to travel internationally and explore wine regions and food markets. When time permits, I also take drawing and watercolor classes.
I N D U S T R Y
would be the smallest company I would work for in order to transition into sales. Change and the unknown can be scary, but I’ve found stretching beyond where I’m comfortable brings the greatest rewards. It was the hardest decision I ever made in my career but ended up being the best decision. Butterball has been the company I’ve worked at the longest, had the most professional and personal success. I’ve continued to grow through challenges and opportunities, which has made it the most enjoyable organization I have been associated with.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Multi-tasking; every day is different and there’s so much to accomplish. Juggling multiple customers and brokers, each with unique personalities and goals, can be challenging to make sure there is a mutually beneficial result, while achieving the company’s goals. Balancing the responsibilities of family and career is also a challenge. Most of my supervisors have been understanding about the responsibilities as full time working mother so I’ve been able
JACKIE CAPLAN WIGGINS FRIEDA’S, INC. Years with the company:
Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?
From them, I learned to be an independent thinker, have compassion toward others and be open-minded to opportunities—some of the qualities that I believe make up a good leader. Therefore, it was with great pride and humility that I received the Timothy Vaux Outstanding Alumni Leadership Award in 2014. This award honors individual graduates of the DuPont/United Fresh Produce Association leadership program that demonstrate exceptional leadership achievements in the areas of Produce Industry Leadership, Industry Service & Outreach, and Community Service.
Do you have a defining moment of your career?
The defining moment of my career was when I transitioned from sales to operations. I have always been a process-oriented person. My sister Karen, president and CEO of Frieda’s, is a natural-born sales and marketing person. After almost 30 years of holding various sales roles (it is a natural entry point for our industry), it became obvious that the area where I would be the biggest asset to company growth and profitability would be by overseeing operations (distribution, procurement and IT).
to care for and help my daughter blossom into a successful student and young lady who is about to go to college.
Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?
Believe in yourself and stand for what you believe. Take risks and learn from mistakes while taking responsibility for your actions. Instead of complaining about problems, offer solutions to them. Accept challenges and change as a way to grow and learn. Your job is what you make of it. Although I’m not a director, I’ve taken a leadership initiative with my category management expertise to assist companies. Network with peers inside and outside your company. Treat others as you would like to be treated even if they don’t reciprocate. Always try to find the positive in every situation. Work hard.
Hobbies:
Spending time with family and my friends, working out, shopping, boating and volunteering.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Staying focused on strategic issues vs. day-to-day activities (i.e., staying “out of the weeds”).
Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?
Be honest and open with your communication. Make time for yourself, your family and your friends. Do the things that make you happy (personally and professionally), cut out the things that don’t (even if it means changing your career). Always be learning, always be teaching. Listen to your gut.
Hobbies:
I enjoy working out at the gym, both with my personal trainer and by myself. Soccer. Although I am not a player (never was), my husband and I have season tickets to the LA Galaxy and love attending games. Fun fact: I send out over 600 birthday and anniversary cards every year.
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