Grocery From Her Seat, Insights for Independent Grocers
Grocery From Her Seat
Welcome to "Grocery From Her Seat," the WGA podcast offering a unique perspective on the independent grocery industry, as seen through the eyes of remarkable women who shape and lead.
Your host, Kristin Popp, President of WGA, will bring to light the inspiring stories, triumphs, and challenges of the women serving the industry of independent grocery.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a young person considering the profession, a woman making your mark in the grocery industry, an industry vendor or simply intrigued by the stories of powerful women, "Grocery From Her Seat" is where inspiration meets action.
Episodes
46 episodes
Jenn Hahn: How A Humble Leader Built A National Recruiting Firm For Grocers
A chance encounter at a college career fair led Jenn Hahn into the Aldi training program, where she learned the store from the floor up and ran multiple locations at 22. That early trial by fire shaped a leadership style built on humility, dire...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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29:02
Emily Detwiler: Leading With Kindness In Grocery
The aisle might look calm, but the work behind it moves fast. We sit down with Emily Detwiler, Vice President of AWG Brands at Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), to unpack how private brands become a competitive edge for independent grocers—an...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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21:55
Women Redefining Leadership In Independent Grocery, Best of Season 1 and 2
What if the most powerful playbook for modern grocery leadership comes from stories that start outside the aisle? We’re bringing together standout moments from seasons one and two to explore how women at every career stage transform constraint ...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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28:17
Resilience, Leadership, And Community: Best of Season 1 and 2
We share standout moments from seasons one and two that trace how women across grocery build resilience, lean on community, and lead with authenticity. Jackie LaPointe connects endurance sports to career confidence, and Jena Sowers shows how ad...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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13:29
Misty Bryant: Listen Deeper, Lead Better, Serve Bigger
A small moment in a grocery aisle can change a day—and sometimes a career. We sit down with Misty Bryant, Director of Merchandising Support at Houchins Food Group, to unpack how a curious part-time start became a purpose-driven path built on se...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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27:09
GR Bonus Episode: Snap, Shutdowns, And The Penny Problem
A 43-day government shutdown turned food policy into a stress test for everyone from federal agencies to front-end cashiers. SNAP benefits were shut off for the first time ever, courts issued conflicting directives, and retailers faced a moving...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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20:06
Natalija Paldrmic: Bravely Traveling the World Inspires an Open and Inquisitive Mind
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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27:21
Celebrating The First Woman: Amy Niemetscheck
Today, we take a look back at an episode from April of this year when Kristin had the opportunity to interview Amy Neimenscheck. This year, Amy has been named
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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37:03
Chelsea Matzen: Driven by Community and Continuous Learning
Chelsea Matzen, Vice President Foundation at the National Grocers Association, unpacks how scholarships, mentorship, and community-powered programs shape the next generation of independent retail leaders.She gets candid about:
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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20:32
Sheila Ebanks: Driving Trucks to Driving Teams, A Coca-Cola Executive's Journey
How Sheila Ebanks Leads at Coca-Cola While Raising Four KidsSheila Ebanks, Head of Large Store at The Coca-Cola Company, shares her inspiring journey from delivery truck driver to managing key retail partnerships with Albertsons, ...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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26:11
From Log Cabin to Leadership: Shannon Clark's Journey
Shannon Clark takes us on a remarkable journey from building a log cabin by hand in rural Kentucky to revolutionizing marketing strategies at Houchens Food Group. This conversation reveals how her unconventional path—beginning in apparel manufa...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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28:45
Caroline Catoe: Family Business Insights and Predictions
What happens when you grow up immersed in grocery technology from age 14? For Caroline Catoe, President of ECRS, it created a unique perspective on both the challenges and opportunities facing independent grocers in today's rapidly evolving tec...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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24:57
Sierra Brewer: Traditional Grocery Has a Shelf Life
Sierra Brewer stands at the exciting intersection of tradition and innovation in grocery. As a Cornell University student preparing to become the first US category manager for The Modern Milkman, she brings fresh perspectives on how sustainabil...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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26:14
Anne Feder: Setting Boundaries Personally and Professionally
Anne Feder, Senior Vice President of Client Growth and Product with eGrocery, shares her journey from psychology grad to grocery tech leader and how she balances career ambitions with motherhood of three children.• Managing client servi...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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32:21
Bonus Episode Grocery From Her Seat: NGA's Fight for Independent Grocers
Greg Ferrara, President and CEO of the National Grocers Association, brings his unique perspective as both a former independent grocer and long-time industry advocate to discuss the rapidly changing political landscape affecting food retailers....
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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32:17
Stephanie Becker: On the Go, from DC Fly-ins to Mission Trips
What happens when you combine legal expertise with a passion for understanding the grocery business from every angle? Stephanie Becker, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Associated Wholesale Grocers Incorporated (A...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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24:17
Amy Niemetscheck: The Journey of Accountant to CEO
Amy Niemetscheck takes us through her remarkable journey from public accounting to becoming President and CEO of Serco Inc., where she leads a cooperative serving 250 independent grocers with over 550 employees. Her story exemplifies how non-tr...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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35:13
Jennifer Graff: From Cashier to Woman of the Year
What does a three-decade journey from cashier to industry leadership look like? Jennifer Graff, Director of Perishable Operations at Columbiana Foods Inc., reveals the turns and transformative experiences that shaped her remarkable career in in...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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26:41
Miriam Framson: Lessons from Austria to America
Miriam Framson is the Vice President of Operations at Citrus America, Inc., a US distributor of highest-quality European equipment for the food service and grocery industries.Born to an Austrian mother and an Am...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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21:08
Jamie Collins: Navigating Tradition and Innovation in Grocery Marketing
Jamie Collins shares her career journey and insights on grocery marketing trends, emphasizing the significance of data, adaptability, and mentorship in the evolving landscape. The conversation highlights generational shifts in consumer behavior...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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24:22
Heidi Huff & Nick Nikitas: Importance of In Person Networking
Listen to the discussion between
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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6:09
Donna Zambo: The Future is Now
This episode explores Donna Zambo’s, VP, Chief Marketing Officer for Allegiance Retail Services, remarkable journey in the grocery industry, highlighting her passion for food, community, and innovation. Donna shares her insights on leadership, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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17:37
Amanda Metcalf: Insights from NGA Show
Women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles within the grocery industry, challenging traditional norms and reshaping the landscape. This short clip emphasizes the value of networking and engaging at the annual NGA Show. Amanda i...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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4:12
Courtney Van Gilder: Aligning Giving With Company Values
Courtney's role as ESG (environmental, social and governance) and community engagement manager at SpartanNash (Nasdaq: SPTN) perfectly melds her passions. Over the last three years, Van Gilder created and implemented the publicly traded S...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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21:35
