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Women of Influence in the Food Industry 12TH EDITION
The Griffin Report of the Northeast
March 2017
SARAH BAROW HP HOOD LLC Years with company: 10
Current position:
Director of Communications & Community Affairs
Education and professional/volunteer organizations:
BA, Government and French, Bowdoin College. Professional and volunteer affiliations: CakeWalk Committee for Birthday Wishes; Bowdoin Alumni Student Interview Committee (BASIC).
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? I’m most proud of the relationships that I’ve worked hard to develop over the course of my career.
Do you have a defining moment of your career?
I’m proud of what we have accomplished over the years. So much has changed over the last 10 years, and we’ve learned from both our successes and our mistakes. I certainly didn’t know where the social and digital landscape would take us when we first dipped our toes in, but it’s been a great adventure to find our way.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Three and a half
Current position:
Associate Social Media Manager
Education and professional /volunteer organizations:
MS, Broadcast Journalism, Boston University, 2013; BA, English & Mass Communication, Assumption College, 2010. Member, Sigma Tau Delta, Assumption College.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? I am proud of the long-lasting, genuine relationships I’ve built with the people we work with in the social space such as bloggers, influencers and content creators. These relationships are essential to tapping into different audiences and building awareness of our
More than 20
Current position:
Marketing Communications Manager
Education and professional /volunteer organizations:
BS, Community Health and Education; Leadership RI 2014; Rhode Island Food Dealers Board of Directors; high school mentor.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? I started working for Dave’s when I was 14 years old, left during college and a short time after, only to return. I am proud of how Dave’s has grown up, and so have I. From a cashier to mastering departments within the stores to buying and supervising our gift basket division to social media, marketing and website develop-
brand and have broadened my own network considerably.
Do you have a defining moment of your career?
I am most proud of how my career has developed over the past three and a half years. When I first started, my role mainly consisted of managing our social communities and brand campaigns. Now, not only do I create and manage content and promotions for our social media platforms as well as the brand’s social advertising, but also have a hand in influencer marketing, PR and event planning for our brand activations at events like the Golden Globe Awards. This evolution has allowed me to push my boundaries and creativity and makes my job something I am truly passionate about.
One
Current position:
Marketing Director
Education and professional/volunteer organizations:
MGPA, Project Management, University of Montréal; BBA, Specialization in Marketing and International Management, University of Ottawa.
What are you most proud of in your career achievements? When I joined Nature’s Touch a year ago, my mandate was to build the marketing department from the ground up. Like any challenge, it was both daunting and exhilarating, especially since
OLIVE CHASE THE CASUAL GOURMET
What is the most challenging part of your job?
What are you most proud of in your career achievements?
I am most proud to have been able to build a year-round company that has lasted and thrived for 30 years on Cape Cod with our seasonal economy and the vast changes that technology has brought to our industry. We were early adopters of email and the internet. I
WOI GR 2017 1.indd 4
this was a new category for me. Of course, as the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” but let’s just say that now, when I look back, I can honestly say that I have set the bases for success with our branded portfolio by developing the brand imagery, marketing strategies and action plans to support our brands in the various countries where we are distributed.
Do you have a defining moment of your career?
Dropping my previous job in a larger organization when I realized the company values no longer resembled mine. I didn’t have another job opportunity lined up but instead of feeling like I was jumping into a void, I felt free. I took some time to enjoy everyday moments with my family and reflect on what I truly wanted as a next challenge in my career. When I joined Nature’s Touch, a
Do you have a defining moment of your career?
Current chair, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce; board member, Massachusetts Restaurant Association; past chair, Lighthouse Charter School; past chair, Sturgis Charter School; past board member and treasurer, International Caterers Association.
Find a mentor who really believes in you and your career. Their knowledge, insight and experiences can be invaluable to your own.
Hobbies:
Outside of my full-time job, I teach at a New Hampshire dance studio and am the head coach of the Southern New Hampshire University Dance Team. I also love to travel, cook, read and spend time with my husband, family and friends.
Be prepared for change. Accept that it is not always going to be a straight line. Put your head down and accomplish something every day but recognize it may not be what you planned to accomplish. Set goals.
Of all the defining moments, the one that has brought me to this position was probably the most defining. Our company was at a crossroads for growth; we needed someone who could orchestrate marketing plans, take community initiatives and master a social media voice that customers could respond to. I requested to move into this role that had yet to really be defined. I felt this was an opportunity to develop and stretch my wings in a different way.
Current position:
Education and professional and volunteer affiliations:
Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?
Do you have a defining moment in your career?
had one of the first websites, and it expanded our marketplace far beyond Cape Cod, fueling tremendous growth.
Owner, President, Founder
The always-changing social media landscape is exciting but can also make reporting and analysis challenging when benchmarks are constantly shifting.
What I love about my job is that it is 24/7; the constant “juggling” keeps me motivated and focused. But at the same time, it is the most challenging. And the people—I love who I work with and who I meet.
Years with company: 30
What is the most challenging part of your job?
ment, the opportunities Dave’s has provided me has enabled me to learn and grow in so many directions. With the freedom I am given, we are able to take initiatives and develop plans for our company and community. I am so proud of the impact we are able to make.
ISABELLE CHARTRAND NATURE’S TOUCH FROZEN FOODS Years with the company:
Travel, cooking (with Hood products) and spending time with my husband and two boys.
Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?
SUSAN BUDLONG DAVE’S MARKETPLACE Years with company:
Hobbies:
In today’s climate, I think as food professionals that we’re always watching and waiting to see what the next “hot button” issue will be for consumers. Trying to prepare for what that might be and having the resources to respond when it arises is what’s most challenging—and most interesting—about the job.
MARIE BUCKLIN LINDT CHOCOLATE USA Years with the company:
Recognize the resources you have around you, and take advantage of learning whatever you can from them. Always ask questions and think outside of the box, as those are the keys to problem solving.
There have been a series of challenges and moments, but the biggest was to take the leap, believe in myself and start my own business. Another big moment was finding Mike Roman and the organization that became Catersource. Through that affiliation, I gained not only peers all over the country but constant education in the best of the catering industry and have also been able to give back by mentoring new caterers and speaking at the annual conference that has grown to over 7,000 attendees.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?
Hobbies:
My best day is when I can take a long peaceful walk with no noise, no music; that helps me regroup. A great book can do the same thing. And I love to cook. Family time together with a house full of kids grounds me and reminds me how lucky and thankful I am.
fast-growing, medium-sized frozen fruit company, I felt that both the products and the company philosophy appealed to me and engaged not only my skills but, most importantly, my heart as well.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Making more with less in a fast-changing marketing environment.
Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?
It doesn’t matter whether you are part of a large or small organization; only teamwork gets great things done. Plus, it’s way more fun!
Hobbies:
I enjoy cooking and baking with my kids, even if it involves cleaning up more than anything else. I love traveling but love planning the trip even more. A good house renovation is always fun; it brings novelty and change to the everyday.
so staying fresh, constantly reinventing food, service and ways of reaching clients is a tremendous challenge when you are the established market leader.
Do you have any advice for upcoming professionals?
Figure out your passion, then educate yourself about what you love; read, join associations, find like-minded peers and try to give back as you go along.
Hobbies:
Board service, politics. I am a born wonk and love to delve deeply into policy and how things work. And tasting great food wherever I can find it.
Managing a diverse work force in a seasonal economy is always a challenge. I am in an industry that always wants something new,
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