The National Grocers Association has announced several promotions among its staff and the NGA Foundation.
Stephanie Johnson
Johnson has been promoted as NGA’s group VP of government relations and political affairs. In this expanded role, Johnson is responsible for managing NGA’s advocacy and political affairs, including policy development and management. She will manage the association’s government affairs committee and PAC board and will engage with NGA’s board of directors to ensure policy positions are updated and approved.
Johnson also will collaborate with NGA’s communications and public affairs team and will have primary responsibility for the public affairs and ALF budgets, including fundraising. She joined NGA in May 2022 as VP of government relations and quickly took the initiative to advance NGA’s priorities around food and nutrition.
“Since joining the NGA team, Stephanie has assumed additional responsibilities and excelled at notching wins and moving the needle forward for our members. We look forward to her future contributions to our organization,” said Chris Jones, chief government relations officer and SVP.
Marvelle Wright
Wright has been promoted to NGA senior manager of accounting. Wright, who joined NGA in October 2019 as an accounts receivable and payable specialist, has worked to improve the association’s processes and accounting functions, including daily functions and the annual audit. She has expanded her role to include taking responsibility for ensuring accounts receivable are effectively managed.
Going forward, Wright will be the principal leader behind ensuring NGA adheres to its fiscal policies and collects and reports outstanding balances, while collaborating with the audit team.
“Marvelle is often the friendly voice many of our members speak to when they are trying to pay their dues or find other information. She continues to expand her knowledge base and is willing to jump in and support our members and our team wherever there is need,” said Jonathan Downey, chief operating officer and SVP. “I greatly appreciate her commitment to our mission and our members.”
Brielle Underwood
Brielle Underwood has been promoted to group director of grants for the NGA Foundation. With the addition of work with the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), Underwood is taking on an expanded role overseeing all NGAF grant programs. She will pursue ways to create better alignment over this expanding area, will oversee the rebranding of NGAF’s Technical Assistance Center and align messaging across the foundation’s grant services.
[RELATED: NGA Foundation Appoints Underwood As SEMTAC Project Director]
Kari Wolkwitz
Kari Wolkwitz has been promoted to an NGAF project director. With Underwood focused on HFFI and the overall grants vision, Wolkwitz will more directly work on the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center (SEMTAC). She also will take over previously outsourced analytics and evaluation reporting to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Wolkwitz has managed the expanded EBT chip integration efforts and spearheaded SEMTAC customer service ticket tracking.
[RELATED: NGAF Expands SEMTAC Team To Advance SNAP Efforts]
Gabrielle Rumney
Gabrielle Rumney has been promoted to an NGAF project manager and will take an expanded role within SEMTAC and HFFI, including website management, resource development and outreach. Rumney also will manage NGAF’s national advisory committee and integrate DEI principles into SEMTAC work, as well as the larger foundation programming.
“I’m proud of this entire team and the work they’ve accomplished since SEMTAC began over two years. I am excited for the continued growth these promotions will bring in our grant work across SEMTAC, HFFI and GusNIP,” said NGA Foundation VP Chelsea Matzen.
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