2025 Women of Influence

The Shelby-Griffin Report presents the 20th annual tribute to Women of Influence in the food industry. For 20 years, we’ve honored the outstanding women shaping the food industry—from executives and innovators to mentors and community leaders. This year’s nominees represent a diverse range of roles, backgrounds, and regions, each making a profound impact in their careers and beyond.

Explore their stories below, and join us in celebrating their achievements.

2025 Women of Influence

2025 Women of Influence

Diana Cabrera

Director of Customer Experience, Northgate Gonzalez Market

Diana Cabrera has spent 34 years in the grocery retail industry, with seven of those at Northgate González Market. She most enjoys the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented directors and stakeholders across all areas of the company. They work together to drive the company forward. To Diana, one of Northgate's biggest accomplishments has been its leadership in customer experience, currently holding the top spot in 13 metrics voiced by shoppers. Diana is passionate about the work she does and about the communities Northgate serves. She's always seeking ways to innovate and improve efficiencies that make things easier for store operations while delivering the best possible experience for customers. She has led her team through difficult moments, such as the loss of a member, while ensuring strong support for stores and thoughtful development of new policies, such as the cashier's register policy revision.

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2025 Women of Influence

Diana Darling

Store Manager, Hannaford

Diana Darling, Hannaford's 2024 Store Manager of the Year, demonstrates exceptional leadership, outstanding performance and a commitment to her team and community.
Diana is not only a results-driven leader but also a compassionate and caring person who values the well-being of others. She has partnered with local organizations to host English for Speakers of Other Languages classes in her store. This initiative, among others, has provided opportunities for associates from diverse backgrounds to learn the language, improving their professional lives and fostering an inclusive, welcoming environment.
Beyond her business achievements, Diana's store is a model of consistency and excellence. It is always clean, friendly and well-merchandised, no matter what challenges arise. Diana's leadership creates a space where associates and customers feel valued and cared for.
Diana leads with courage, integrity and a sense of humor that resonates with everyone. Her ability to inspire her team – while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment – has made her an invaluable asset to Hannaford. She is the epitome of a great store manager, always striving for excellence, supporting her team and making a lasting positive impact.

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2025 Women of Influence

Diana Dumet

Senior Director of Marking and Category, MOWI

Diana Dumet is redefining food branding through purpose-driven storytelling and consumer education. With more than 20 years of marketing experience across food, toys, housewares and QSR industries, Diana brings a bold, cross-sector perspective transforming how Americans engage with seafood. At MOWI, she leads with marketing vision and innovation, championing digital-first strategies that inform, engage and inspire. Under her leadership, the MOWI Salmon TV YouTube channel became the first branded seafood channel to surpass 340,000 subscribers – earning the YouTube Silver Creator Award. Diana launched the "How It's Made" behind-the-scenes facility tours, the "Decoding Seafood" podcast and a new mascot, Sal, while deepening influencer collaborations and rolling out more than 190 retail demos nationwide. These initiatives are all part of her mission to foster transparency and build a community of Salmon lovers. As Diana says, "My goal is to demystify the salmon industry, highlight sustainable practices and inspire consumers to make salmon a regular part of their diet." Her results-driven leadership not only elevates MOWI's brand but reshapes how Americans connect with the seafood they eat.

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2025 Women of Influence

Dolly Droze

Director of Accounting, Finance Department, C&S Wholesale Grocers

With more than 45 years of dedicated service in corporate and retail accounting in the finance department, Dolly Droze has cultivated relationships with customers and peers that are built on trust and clear communication through her consistent actions. Dolly is a developmental leader. She actively creates space for open communication and encourages honest conversations. She leads by example, articulating a clear vision for her team, inspiring team members to work toward shared goals. Dolly is invested in the growth and success of C&S and its partners, as well as in leveraging and maximizing her team's potential. Dolly consistently demonstrates a deep passion for service that's exhibited through her civic and philanthropic initiatives. Some examples of her charitable involvements include: C&S Charities Classic of South Carolina; Visionaries Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation; Cooper River Bridge Run; Lowvelo /MUSC Hollings Cancer Center volunteer; 25 years as treasurer on the board of directors for the South Carolina Artisans Center; former president of the SCIHS; Charitable Society of Charleston Volunteer of the Year; former chair for PWCC Charity Fund at the Coastal Community Foundation; former workplace campaign manager for the United Way of Charleston, South Carolina. Her commitment to community service inspires her team to prioritize volunteerism while promoting team building. Dolly embodies professionalism, leadership, mentorship and philanthropy. Dolly has built a reputation as an exceptional leader.

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2025 Women of Influence

Edith Miranda

Assistant Store Team Leader, Northgate Gonzalez Market

Since joining Northgate González Market in 2005, Edith Miranda has been dedicated to her role and the broader grocery industry. Over the past 17 years, she has worked to enhance sales performance, streamline operational efficiencies and maintain rigorous audit standards.
Beyond these accomplishments, Edith takes pride in fostering a supportive work environment and championing continuous training initiatives that empower team members.
Edith enjoys providing employment opportunities to young people, especially those starting their careers without prior experience and guiding them toward personal and professional growth.
She approaches each day with a mindset of learning and collaboration, always eager to share insights and expand her knowledge.

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2025 Women of Influence

Elaine Brady

Production Manager, Shelby Publishing Co., Inc.

Elaine Brady, production manager, is the employee with the longest consecutive years of service at the home office.

“I have been with company for 16 years, but I have over 47 years of experience in graphic design and printing within the environments of a weekly newspaper, commercial printing companies and now with The Shelby Report,” Elaine says.

“My career began unexpectedly when I responded to an ad in the local newspaper for a typist. The job was for a typesetter at the paper and – with the technology of that day – the only qualification was to be a good typist.

“Technology soon began advancing and more design elements could be accomplished on the computer. As the typesetting/graphics equipment advanced, so did my skill set.”

The “self-taught, learn-as-you-go graphic designer,” says she realized early on she had found something she was good at and loved to do. “Not everyone can say that about their life’s work. I am fortunate to be one who can,” she adds.

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2025 Women of Influence

Elaine Chassagne

District Manager, Harris Teeter

Elaine Chassagne exemplifies exceptional leadership and commitment to serving the community through her involvement in volunteering for organizations such as: the Greensboro Habitat for Humanity; NC Heart Walk – Raleigh; Central & Eastern NC Food Bank – packing food for families with food insecurities; the USO – assembling care packages for active military. She has tirelessly devoted her time, energy and resources to support various initiatives aimed at making a positive impact in the lives of others. Elaine consistently goes above and beyond to make a difference. She has a remarkable ability to inspire and mobilize others, fostering a sense of unity and purpose within the team and the broader community. Her genuine compassion for those in need serves as a source of inspiration for all of us. Elaine embodies the values of Harris Teeter both professionally and personally – demonstrating integrity, compassion and a strong sense of social responsibility in everything she does. Elaine is not only an exceptional leader within the organization but also a true champion of community service and philanthropy. Her leadership drives remarkable results and inspires those around her to strive for greatness.

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2025 Women of Influence

Elia Cardenas

Meat, Seafood, Deli Specialist, Stop & Shop

In 2024, Elia Cardenas demonstrated strong leadership and influence in her role in District 327 and as a leader among her peers in Region 3. Elia has grown into a confident leader as she leads with courage to accomplish key goals and initiatives.
Elia embodies the company's values, understands the big picture and translates it to the store teams she interacts with on a regular basis. Elia is proactive in her approach. When a competitor was coming into her area, she took the time to analyze the business, get buy-in from the store teams and implement new strategies. Elia understands the importance of coaching and training and is involved in talent development within the district and is an active participant in Rising Stars meetings.
Elia provides insight and feedback that is presented in a positive manner and is recognized by her peers for her involvement. Elia is self-driven and does what's right for the customers and the associates. She has a global viewpoint and ties partners in at all levels to align with the brand to lead change. Elia supports all company-sponsored programs and participates in district/brand community events.
In 2024, Elia navigated through challenges, managed with influence and care and always celebrated the wins as a team. Elia embodies the values and integrity of the organization and the Woman of Influence award.

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2025 Women of Influence

Elizabeth Cherry

SVP, Southwest Regional Director, Shelby Publishing Co., Inc.

Elizabeth Cherry, SVP, Southwest regional director, is the newest member of the Shelby staff, coming aboard in early 2025.

“I am privileged to work with tenured professionals. My colleagues [in sales] have collectively been with The Shelby Report for over three decades,” she says.

“I bring over two decades of B2B sales and marketing experience and success to my role. I am excited to share a new perspective to an established, well-respected brand.”

Outside of work, Elizabeth likes being outdoors and staying active, particularly playing tennis.

In her personal life, Elizabeth says she is “blessed with a long-standing marriage and two truly amazing children … who are my mentors and my inspiration. I am proud of the people they have become. They motivate me to be the best version of myself, so I can be an exemplary role model for them. We are all in this together.”

Elizabeth considers herself fortunate to work in the grocery industry.

“Food is critical for nourishment, but it is also a force that binds humankind,” she says. “Whether we gather around the kitchen for a meal, a holiday or we meet at our favorite restaurant with friends and family, food plays an essential part in our day-to-day lives. And the grocery industry sits at the core of our communities.”

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2025 Women of Influence

Elizabeth Resendiz

Director of Design – Real Estate, Northgate Gonzalez Market

Since joining Northgate González Market 18 years ago, Elizabeth Resendiz says she has been fortunate to grow alongside a company that values innovation, community and integrity.
Elizabeth has helped bring to life some of the company's most ambitious projects – from ground-up builds like the 70,000-square-foot flagship Northgate Mercado in Costa Mesa to remodels in Culver City and La Puente.
Working with architects, engineers, contractors and internal teams, she has been responsible for guiding these projects from vision to reality – overseeing everything from design and equipment procurement to construction and stakeholder collaboration.
Elizabeth says one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is seeing a concept take shape – from an idea on paper to a thriving market that serves customers and reflects the culture they cherish.
While this field remains underrepresented by women, Elizabeth is proud to stand as an example of what is possible with dedication, tenacity and mentorship. She is grateful to those who believed in and challenged her to reach her full potential.
She adds that the Women of Influence recognition reflects the collective effort of the teams she works with and is a testament to the value of diverse leadership in the industry.

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