2025 Women of Influence

• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  Anna Jayakaran

  Corporate Controller, Northgate Gonzalez Market

  Anna Jayakaran has 15 years of experience in the grocery industry, with eight of those dedicated to Northgate's growth and success. Since joining the company in March 2017, Anna has played a pivotal role in the financial design and implementation of the company's ERP system, as well as the integration of two point-of-sale systems and back-office applications for the new Mercado format store. Under Anna's leadership, Northgate has seen significant improvements in financial and managerial operations across its four strategic business units – grocery, real estate, financial services and food manufacturing. What Anna enjoys most about her role is leveraging data and analytics to provide actionable insights that drive decision-making. A firm believer in the importance of leadership, Anna has learned from one of her favorite books, "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, particularly the quote: "When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too." Anna fosters an environment where respect and appreciation empower her team to do exceptional work, making a positive impact across the organization.

  Read More
• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  Anna Stoermer

  EVP, Chief Merchandising and Retail Officer, Hy-Vee

  Anna Stoermer is an accomplished leader known for her innovative retail approach and commitment to customer satisfaction. She leads the company's day-to-day operations, working closely with store leaders to ensure that the company is delivering the best service, experience, quality and value to its customers. Since joining Hy-Vee in 2003 as a courtesy clerk, Anna has risen through the ranks, becoming an assistant manager in 2011, then a store director in 2017 and a district VP in 2020. In 2022, she was promoted to her current role, where she has made significant contributions, including serving as chief marketing officer and chief merchandising officer. Anna has spent the past year leading Hy-Vee's companywide "New Lower Prices" campaign, which has lowered prices on thousands of grocery items storewide and matched prices with the nation's biggest discount retailers. She also has been a champion for Hy-Vee's corporate giving initiatives, including its most recent 100 Million Meals Challenge, aimed at fighting food insecurity. She helped Hy-Vee meet its 100 million meals goal by ensuring effective store activation companywide and integrating the campaign into various marketing initiatives. Outside of Hy-Vee, Anna serves on the board of Character Counts!, an Iowa-based nonprofit that focuses on building students' character skills and shaping a positive school culture.

  Read More
• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  Anne Feder

  VP Client Growth, eGrowcery

  Anne Feder is responsible for eGrowcery's retailer partnerships. She influences her team and challenges them to be critical problem solvers, but also motivates retailers to think outside the box and try new things to grow their business. Anne is the core of the retailer experience at eGrowcery and works closely with retailers on a daily basis in the United States and abroad. She often is the first voice retailers will hear once they sign an agreement with eGrowcery and will be involved in most strategic planning her team puts in place for a retailer. From a product management perspective, Anne also leads all of the product planning at eGrowcery, both for the domestic team and at eGrowcery's offices in Adelaide, Australia. Inclusive of this, is ensuring accurate solution requirements, user-acceptance testing and documenting the communication protocol for new technologies that are released both domestically and abroad. Anne not only manages retailer relationships, she plays an integral role in the business development process, often working with the eGrowcery sales team to both strategize on potential partnerships but also become actively involved in client demonstrations and providing answers to complex data integration questions within an RFP or a sales call. Anne brings excitement and energy to the team to continue driving success. Her passion for the business is apparent and influences the team to go above and beyond every day.

  Read More
• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  Anne Roth

  Assistant VP, Hy-Vee

  Anne Roth is a powerhouse in the grocery government relations space and a true leader in every sense of the word. With deep expertise and an unmatched commitment to the industry, she works tirelessly to advance legislation that benefits not just Hy-Vee, but the grocery sector as a whole. Her strategic insight, relentless drive and ability to navigate complex policy landscapes have made her a trusted voice at the table and a go-to resource across the industry. What sets Anne apart, though, is her generosity of spirit. She is always the first to offer guidance, support or a thoughtful word of advice. She has taken many under her wing, providing mentorship that is both empowering and deeply impactful. Anne leads with integrity, lifts up those around her and brings people together to solve big challenges. Her work ethic, her heart and her results speak volumes. Whether she's advocating at the Capitol, mentoring a colleague, or lending her expertise to industry-wide efforts, Anne consistently makes a difference. Her influence is felt not just through policy wins, but in the culture she helps shape – one rooted in collaboration, excellence and care. The grocery industry is stronger because of Anne.

  Read More
• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  April Childers

  Guest Services and Analytics Manager, Lowes Foods

  April Childers has consistently demonstrated exceptional results-oriented job performance, exemplary leadership skills and a commitment to civic and philanthropic work. April's journey in the food industry began in guest services at a store, where she quickly distinguished herself with dedication and exceptional customer service skills. Her passion for improving guest experiences led her to transition into the role of an e-commerce specialist, where she excelled in leveraging digital tools to enhance customer engagement and streamline operations. Today, April continues to drive significant improvements in customer satisfaction and loyalty. Her innovative approach to analytics has driven data-driven decisions that have positively impacted operations and overall business performance. April's ability to translate complex data into actionable insights has been instrumental in achieving strategic goals. In addition to her professional achievements, April is a natural leader who inspires and motivates her team to excel. Her collaborative and inclusive leadership style fosters a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. April's mentorship has helped many colleagues succeed in their careers. Beyond her professional contributions, April is committed to giving back to the community.

  Read More
• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  Ashlee Branch

  Shopper Marketing Manager, Brookshire Grocery Co.

  Ashlee Branch exemplifies the qualities of a true leader and forward-thinker. Recently promoted, she has demonstrated the ability to anticipate challenges and deliver results, often without being asked. Her proactive nature allows her to stay a step ahead of the curve, ensuring smooth operations and success across her team and organization. Ashlee leads the category manager team through the complex advertising planning process, guiding them with clarity and precision. Her leadership in selling ad space to vendors has exceeded budget expectations, showcasing her strategic mindset and sales skills. In addition, Ashlee ensures that all vendor funds are accounted for by the end of each period, going above and beyond to exceed financial goals. Her bright smile and willingness to help others foster an inclusive and collaborative work environment. Ashlee's ability to manage complex tasks while maintaining strong relationships with her team and vendors makes her an invaluable asset. She is respected and thought of as a trusted resource and leader within the organization.

  Read More
• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  Ashleigh Willard

  Store Director, Lowes Foods

  Ashleigh Willard strives to bring her best self to work every day. She demonstrates a strong growth mindset for herself and others. Over the past nine years, Ashleigh has taken on advancing roles, testing her capabilities as a leader to prepare herself for the next level. Ashleigh is focused on results, and she is driven to succeed, whether she is delivering sales or mentoring a host. Throughout her journey, obstacles have presented themselves, however, Ashleigh has accepted them as a challenge to think differently while still delivering the desired results. Ashleigh recently stepped into her first store director role with Lowes Food, where she will be able to demonstrate her unwavering dedication to her community, store and company.

  Read More
• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  Ashley Evans

  Senior Key Account Manager, PepsiCo

  Ashley Evans has spent much of her career being passionate about discovering new ways to innovate products and programs that prioritize health and responsibility. She cares about inspiring and motivating those in her span-of-care so that they build the confidence they need to achieve their lifelong dreams. Ashley encourages others to reduce day-to-day management and control of projects, tasks and team members and move toward seeing and hearing the people who wish to contribute, encouraging them to take risks and try new ideas. She then gets out of the way to allow them to grow and develop.

  Read More
• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  Ashley Roehm

  President, Acosta HQ Sales, Acosta Group

  Ashley Roehm is responsible for collaborating with internal stakeholders, clients and retailers to ensure that solutions and services are provided to position clients for success in today's modern marketplace. She oversees the largest P&L in the entire Acosta Group, demonstrating her significant influence and leadership within the organization. Ashley manages a diverse team of 2,400 associates, ranging from hourly retail service representatives to EVPS. Her leadership team includes eight direct reports at the SVP and EVP levels, ensuring strategic alignment and effective execution of business objectives. With responsibility for more than 1,300 clients, Ashley's sphere of influence spans various sectors, including grocery, wholesale, natural, convenience store, military, value, drug, household and health and wellness and van/urban selling. This extensive client base highlights her ability to navigate and drive success across multiple market segments. Her key focus areas include people and talent development and recruitment, recognizing that an engaged and motivated workforce is essential for both near- and long-term success. Ashley is dedicated to creating an industry-leading operating model through transformational excellence, constantly evaluating and adjusting the go-to-market approach to meet clients' needs efficiently and effectively.

  Read More
• 

  2025 Women of Influence

  Ashley Tingler

  Senior Director, Sales – ADW (Costco), Acosta Group

  In 2024, Ashley Tingler's leadership was pivotal in driving the Southeast region to exceed its sales goals, achieving 100.18 percent of the target despite a tough 10.6 percent growth challenge over the previous year. This achievement placed the Southeast among the top growth areas within ADW, showcasing Ashley's strategic vision and dedication. Ashley guided her team with valuable insights during department calls and played a key role in developing growth strategies. As a client captain, she secured major marketing wins, including a successful campaign for Health-Ade that generated nearly $9 million in sales, as well as another for Mars Food's Seeds of Change, bringing in over $2 million. These successes highlight her ability to create impactful marketing strategies. Her leadership style is characterized by strategic planning and a commitment to excellence, which were crucial to the region's success. Ashley's expertise was recognized with invitations to prestigious industry events like the Summer Fancy Food Show and Newtopia Food Show, underscoring her influence and contributions. Beyond her professional achievements, Ashley is dedicated to community service. She participates in the Sandwich Project, a volunteer initiative that addresses food scarcity in metro Atlanta by making and distributing sandwiches to those in need.

  Read More

Stay updated on future WOI events!