Women Grocers of America

Excited to be in Washington DC this week to attend #NGAExec24, kicking off with Greg Ferrara and Manard Lagasse. Ready to hear valuable insights from industry leaders as well as catch up with industry partners and friends. Thanks to the National Grocers Association for their work to host another great event!

Empowering women isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a catalyst for meaningful change. When women are uplifted, given opportunities, and encouraged to lead, the entire organization benefits from diverse perspectives, stronger innovation, and more thoughtful decision-making. I recently had the privilege of representing PepsiCo at the Women Grocers of America Symposium. It was an inspiring event filled with passionate discussions, collaboration, and forward-thinking conversations about the importance of empowering women in the workplace. Women's groups and networks are ⚡️POWERFUL⚡️ especially in industries where female representation has historically been underrepresented. These groups: ✅ drive support ✅ foster mentorship ✅ inspire confidence ✅ open doors to opportunities ✅ provide a sense of community ✅ ensure no one feels isolated in their journey Incredibly proud of the growth I’ve seen from these #WGA women over the years and the amazing dedication the board and volunteers have shown to ensuring women in grocery have a space to thrive. Grateful to work at PepsiCo, where we're also committed to breaking down barriers and creating spaces for women to excel. Let’s keep empowering one another and driving change that makes the future more inclusive for all. National Grocers Association | #empoweringwomen 

Get ready for another powerhouse episode of Grocery From Her Seat! 🎙️ This week, we’re excited to bring you Lori Brown, MS: Learning to Be a Better Listener—a must-listen for anyone eager to stretch their leadership skills and grow! In this episode, Lori takes us through her inspiring journey to becoming a Certified ICF Coach, where her greatest lesson was mastering the art of listening. Her insights are sure to motivate you to level up your leadership, especially as we prepare for the #SilverTsunami —because sharing knowledge with the next generation is more important than ever. Beyond coaching, Lori is a dedicated leader in the food industry, serving on four key boards: ➡️The Illuminators ➡️Pacific Harbors Council, Scouting America ➡️Navigator Lighthouse Foundation ➡️Washington Food Industry Association Lori’s success is guided by the wisdom of incredible mentors like Nick Nickitas, Mark Arrington, and John Nadeau, and she’s now using her talents to drive meaningful change both in the industry and beyond. Ready to be inspired? Hit play now! 🎧 Listen Here: https://lnkd.in/g8CYZxsn #GroceryFromHerSeat #LeadershipJourney #WomenInGrocery #ListenAndLearn #Coaching #WGA

📸 Women Grocers of America Symposium Photos Now Available! We are excited to announce that photos from the WGA symposium are now available here: https://lnkd.in/d8_vVvuk The symposium was a dynamic blend of networking, inspiration, and leadership development that will help shape the future for women in the grocery industry. Did you know you can join WGA as a benefit of your NGA Membership? As a member of NGA, all female employees in your organization are eligible to join WGA at no additional cost. WGA is a professional development network for women in the independent grocery industry, inspiring and empowering them and highlighting their accomplishments and achievements. You can fill out the WGA interest form: https://lnkd.in/eJ2-n_ag

🎙️ Season 2 of "Grocery From Her Seat" is Here! 🎉 We’re back and better than ever! Join us for another season of inspiring conversations with powerhouse women in the grocery industry. From leadership tips to navigating challenges, each episode will give you an exclusive look into the stories, experiences, and advice from industry leaders—all from her seat. Tune in to hear how women are shaping the future of grocery and beyond. The first two episodes have already dropped! Don’t miss out! 🚀 #WomenInGrocery #Leadership #GroceryFromHerSeat #PodcastLaunch

We had an incredible time at the WGA Symposium in Austin, Texas! It was inspiring to see so many talented women coming together to share, learn, and celebrate the independent grocery industry. 🌟 At Women Grocers of America, we’re committed to building a strong network that supports and empowers women in the industry. From professional development to celebrating your successes, we’re here to lift each other up. We’re already looking forward to next year’s Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia! Stay tuned for updates! 📸: Heidi Huff, Bridgett Battles, Cruz A., Jackie LaPointe

Last week I got to spend some time in Austin, TX at the Women Grocers of America conference! It was such a privilege to learn and connect as part of the EFL Share Group (Emerging Female Leaders). Two sessions that really stood out to me from the week: 🌟 Dr. Randy Ross on Relationomics: Focusing on the power of relationships in business - He suggested asking those closest to you for feedback, such as: “What is it like sitting across from me?” Feedback is everything! Very excited to dive into his book, Relationomics: Business Powered by Relationships 📚 💡 Merry Bhattacharjee presented “It’s Not Me It’s You: Having Tough Conversations” - Stay at the bottom of the ‘ladder of judgment’ and focus on the facts to navigate challenging conversations with clarity and empathy. Follow-ups after tough conversations are non-negotiable! Always a pleasure seeing our partners from DUMAC Business Systems, Inc. in the field! We capped it all off with networking & a fun casino night. 🎰 National Grocers Association Women Grocers of America DUMAC Business Systems, Inc. Pan-Oston

It was incredible seeing everyone last week at the WGA Symposium in Austin, Texas! Be sure to follow Women Grocers of America for updates about the important work they are doing on behalf of the independent grocery industry. WGA is a professional development network for women in the independent grocery industry, inspiring and empowering them and highlighting their accomplishments and achievements. Did you know you can join WGA as a benefit of your NGA Membership? As a member of NGA, all female employees in your organization are eligible to join WGA at no additional cost. Fill out the WGA interest form here: https://lnkd.in/eJ2-n_ag 📸 Heidi Huff, Bridgett Battles, Cruz A., Jackie LaPointe

Had a great week in Austin attending my first Women Grocers of America event. It was a great symposium and loved spending time with all y’all (that’s how they say it in Texas🤣) And bonus! I got to spend some time with my daughter who lives in Austin.

Perfect time to reflect and connect with amazing women who are interested in real talk, building relationships, and getting to the heart of our industry’s challenges. I thoroughly enjoyed the first-ever #WGA Summit in Austin with Laura Swidorski, MATD. Thank you Heidi Huff, Chelsea Matzen, Meagan Nelson, Kristin Popp, Sarah May and the full WGA Executive team for building out a thought-provoking *AND FUN* agenda. Our #ECLteam is proud to sponsor the work you are doing. #ownyourspace #relationomics #liftwhileyouclimb #WGASymposium