Last updated on October 24th, 2024
Hy-Vee President Donna Tweeten, the first woman in the Iowa-based grocery chain’s history to serve in that role, has announced her retirement, effective Jan. 24.
Tweeten, who became president in late 2022, has guided Hy-Vee’s brand and image strategy and helped double its size during her tenure with the company. Under her leadership, Hy-Vee also became the first retailer to engage in a name, image, likeness contract with basketball star Caitlin Clark, as well as sign partnerships with Kansas City Chiefs greats Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, as well as U.S Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson East.
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“No one has shaped the Hy-Vee brand with such skill, precision and creativity more than Donna Tweeten,” said Jeremy Gosch, Hy-Vee’s chairman and CEO. “Throughout her career, Donna has served as an innovator, trailblazer and creative thinker in nearly every aspect of Hy-Vee’s operations. There’s no doubt that her influence will be felt across Hy-Vee for decades to come.”
Tweeten came to Hy-Vee with an extensive background in advertising, having worked for such firms as Davis Harrison Dion–Chicago, Anderson Communications and serving as the president and chief creative officer of The Meyocks Group, Hy-Vee’s agency of record.
Tweeten joined Hy-Vee in 2006 as assistant VP of communications, rising to assistant VP of marketing in 2009. In 2011, she was selected as VP of brand image. Tweeten was promoted to VP of marketing/communications in 2013. A year later, she was named SVP and CMO.
In 2016, she was elevated to EVP and elected to Hy-Vee’s board of directors. Later that year, she became EVP, chief marketing officer/chief customer officer. In 2020, she was named chief of staff.
In 2022, Tweeten transitioned to EVP, chief of staff, chief merchandising officer and then was promoted to EVP, chief of staff, chief marketing officer. The president’s role followed.
Tweeten has been nationally recognized for her influence in the advertising and sports marketing industries, including being named a 2024 Champion of Change by ADWEEK and receiving Ad Age’s Leading Women Forward award. This year, she also received FMI’s Esther Peterson Award for Consumer Service.
Following her retirement, Tweeten plans to consult and continue to mentor others.
