Last updated on April 20th, 2022
Quincy, Massachusetts-based Retail Business Services, the services company of Ahold Delhaize USA, has launched a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, which is charged with driving awareness, adoption and acceleration of the company’s DEI strategy and supports the company’s commitment to creating a workplace where every employee feels they belong.
The council includes a wide variety of perspectives coming together to make an impact. It is led by Roger Wheeler, President and chair of the council, and Valencia Seals, DEI manager, who serves as vice chair. The council has representation from each of Retail Business Services’ Business Resource Groups, five at-large members, each member of the Retail Business Services leadership team, and Carley James, DEI coordinator, who serves as coordinator of the council.
“At Retail Business Services, we hold ourselves accountable for fostering an environment where all associates feel welcome and know they work for a company where they belong,” Wheeler said. “In standing up the council, we are able to further our journey and accelerate action.”
The group will collaborate over the course of a two-year term to share insights that inform Retail Business Services’ DEI journey, identify opportunities to build the culture of belonging and help to create action plans that leverage opportunities and overcome barriers.
Retail Business Services would like to thank the following individuals for their service as part of the council:
Business Resource Group Chairs
- Richard Benton, manager of brand relationship and chair of EDGE + Allies;
- Caroline Chamoun, manager of process excellence and analytics and chair of CONEXIÓN + Allies;
- Erin DeWaters, director of communications and chair of BALANCE + Allies;
- Celeste Freeland, manager of IT delivery methodology and chair of ELEVATE + Allies BRG;
- Haydn Fry, analyst, compensation and chair of THRIVE + Allies;
- Ashlee Madrigal- Nhan, specialist of décor adaptation and chair of TRADITION + Allies;
- James Montesantos, manager of safety and chair of NEXT + Allies;
- Erin Rochewise, supervisor of customer care and chair of PRIDE + Allies;
- Beth Sampson, analyst, compensation and chair of SALUTE + Allies; and
- Michelle Thompson, project manager and chair of HERITAGE + Allies BRG.
At-Large Members
- Tion Askew, manager, strategic workforce planning and organizational enablement;
- Tish Payson, manager, business collaboration;
- Stephanie Slifko, specialist, talent management;
- Cassandra Taylor, manager, IT infrastructure and retail portfolio; and
- Patrick Washburn, manager, IT portfolio management.
Retail Business Services Leadership Team
- Barthelemy Delacroix, VP, strategy and business development;
- Cathy Edwards, VP, human resources and executive sponsor, HERITAGE + ALLIES;
- Rom Kosla, EVP, IT and CIO and executive sponsor, TRADITION + ALLIES;
- Kim Lechner, SVP, controller and finance transformation;
- Kim Lyda, SVP, legal affairs;
- John McGrath, VP, pharmacy services and executive sponsor, THRIVE + ALLIES;
- Mike McKnight, SVP, store development and executive sponsor, SALUTE + ALLIES;
- Nancy Nicoll, VP, indirect center of excellence and executive sponsor, BALANCE + ALLIES;
- Heather Paquette, VP, retail innovation center of excellence and executive sponsor, PRIDE + ALLIES;
- Christy Phillips-Brown, VP, communications and omnichannel service center and executive sponsor, ELEVATE + ALLIES;
- Jim Saccary, VP, business services and executive sponsor, NEXT + ALLIES;
- Stephanie Schepp, VP, portfolio management and executive sponsor, CONEXIÓN + ALLIES; and
- Teresa White, VP, financial planning and analysis.
“The DE&I team is excited to partner with this diverse group of individuals to further our progress,” Seals said. “We’re looking forward to leveraging their unique experiences and insights to inform our DE&I strategy, and we are grateful for their commitment to furthering DE&I at Retail Business Services.”
Later this spring, Retail Business Services will release its second annual DEI Progress Report, which gives employees a transparent view into how Retail Business Services is progressing on its DEI journey against a set of defined measures.
For more information, visit retailbusinessservices.com.
