The Shelby-Griffin Report presents the 21st annual tribute to Women of Influence in the food industry. For 21 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.
2026 Women of Influence
-
2026 Women of InfluenceMeagan Nelson
VP, Retail and Distributor Growth, SPINS
Read MoreMeagan Nelson's combination of industry expertise, visionary leadership and dedication to her team and clients makes her a standout leader. Her deep understanding of the dynamics impacting independent grocers has shaped how the SPINS retail, broker, distributor and certifier team structures its services, teams and client deliverables. Nelson has recruited and onboarded more than 15 independent retailers, connected numerous distributors with SPINS and expanded partnerships with key accounts, including C&S Wholesale Grocers, UNFI, Certco, Mitchell Grocery and Topco. As a trusted industry speaker, she leads quarterly sessions on trends, wellness and key industry issues. In 2025, she spearheaded one of SPINS' first cross-industry white paper collaborations with FMI -- The Food Industry Association, examining how shoppers define healthy. She also serves on the board of directors for the Women Grocers of America within the National Grocers Association. Nelson pairs strategic vision with hands-on mentorship, fostering a culture of growth, evident by the nine team members she's mentored and promoted over the past two years. She has been peer-nominated each year for SPINS' International Women's Day "Inspiring Woman" recognition, highlighting the respect and admiration she has earned throughout the organization. Her talent for anticipating industry changes and turning them into actionable strategies distinguishes her and enables her to drive meaningful growth within SPINS, clients and the industry.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceMegan Poppe
Store Manager, Rosauers Supermarkets
Read MoreMegan Poppe has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication since being hired on Aug. 28, 2023, to manage Rosauers Supermarkets' newly acquired and fully remodeled store in Pullman, Washington. Taking on the responsibility of leading a new location is a significant challenge, but she embraced the opportunity with confidence, professionalism and a clear vision for success.
Poppe's Women of Influence selection reflects the leadership qualities and potential she demonstrated early in her career with the organization. Under her leadership, the Pullman store has experienced consistent gains in sales and net profits. She approaches the business with a strategic mindset and strong understanding of her local market.
When corporate purchasing introduces products that may be more difficult to sell in her area, Poppe develops creative solutions such as recipes, meal ideas and simple shopping guides that help customers understand how to use the items while increasing basket size through complementary ingredients.
Beyond financial performance, Poppe leads with a strong focus on people. She cares about her employees and customers, holds her leadership team to high standards and maintains a culture of accountability, respect and service.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceMeghan Edwards
Director of Analytics and Insights, SellEthics Marketing Group
Read MoreMeghan Edwards leads a high-performing team of 11 analysts, fostering an environment where precision, collaboration and accountability thrive. She sets an exceptional standard for analytical rigor and operational excellence, ensuring data-driven insights are accurate and actionable. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality have made her a trusted leader.
Beyond her technical expertise, Edwards is known for her strong ethical compass. She approaches every challenge with integrity and transparency, ensuring analytics deliver results in a way that reflects SellEthics' values. Her leadership has helped cultivate a culture where doing the right thing is just as important as doing things well.
Edwards also brings a strong work ethic and resilience to her role. In high-pressure situations, she remains calm, solutions-focused and determined to move work forward. Her "can-do" mindset inspires those around her and helps her team tackle complex problems with confidence and creativity.
What truly sets Edwards apart is her humility and hands-on approach. She believes no task is beneath her and is always willing to step in to support her team. This leadership style strengthens team performance while fostering deep respect and trust.
Through her dedication, integrity and commitment to empowering others, Edwards' leadership has made an impact across the organization.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceMelissa Gonzalez
Food Safety Specialist, Stemilt Growers
Read MoreWhen most people say someone gives 110 percent, it sounds like an exaggeration, but for Melissa Gonzalez, that's simply where the bar begins. She started her journey at Stemilt picking apples and has grown into a respected leader within the food safety department, earning trust through hard work, humility and a commitment to doing things the right way.
Gonzalez supports more than 130 of Stemilt's growers, ranging from large corporate orchards to 5‑acre farms. She's the first person they meet, helping them understand and implement food safety practices and regulations, meeting each grower exactly where they are.
During an unannounced audit, one of Gonzalez's growers was unable to participate due to a family emergency. She immediately stepped in and managed the entire audit so the grower could focus on her husband's recovery.
Gonzalez brings that same commitment to her own team, mentoring new employees and supporting them even when it requires taking on extra responsibility.
Within the company's culture, Gonzalez embodies what it means to be an exceptional Stemilter. She is the team's cheerleader, encouraging, positive and invested in raising the bar for food safety not only at Stemilt but across the industry.
Gonzalez is the kind of leader who makes the produce industry better simply by being in it. Her dedication, compassion and drive make her a deserving candidate.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceMelissa Harrington
VP, Finance, Food Lion
Read MoreMelissa Harrington is a results-focused finance executive whose leadership has helped drive growth, stability and purpose at Food Lion. In her current role, she provides strategic oversight for budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting for more than 1,110 stores across a 10-state footprint, supporting an omnichannel business serving some 11 million customers each week.
Harrington played a key role in helping Food Lion achieve its 53rd consecutive quarter of comparable store sales growth. Her disciplined financial planning supported major strategic investments, including a $484 million omnichannel remodel initiative in the Charlotte, N.C., metro area and the expansion of Food Lion To Go, the company's proprietary e-commerce platform.
She also partnered with the marketing team to optimize Food Lion's MVP Customer Loyalty Program and Shop & Earn rewards and more than 1 million engaged Shop & Earn customers.
Harrington supports Food Lion's commitment to community impact. In 2025, Food Lion Feeds achieved a goal set in 2019 -- providing 1 billion additional meals to neighbors in need. This effort was supported by the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, for which Harrington serves as treasurer.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceMichelle Bernard
Business Account Manager, Acosta Group
Read MoreMichelle Bernard manages the trade budget and builds promotional plans that drive program growth, ensuring funds are used effectively through ongoing performance and ROI analysis. She aligns retailers and customer business managers on key initiatives and supports operational needs as a liaison for advancing the Clorox business at AWG. Over the past year, Bernard delivered several high‑impact results. She executed four web blasts in 2025 through AWG co‑investment, generating $3.3 million in sales and partnered with Clorox and AWG on a Clorox‑specific web blast in January 2026 that drove an additional $1.7 million across multiple business units. She supported Coborn's in a category review that added 13 new items to dressing and condiment planograms, contributing to a 10 percent category sales increase. She also created a partnership opportunity for AWG to serve as a "paddle run‑out" customer, enabling a smooth transition to the new inverted bottle design and securing added promotional support. When SAP upgrades disrupted traditional processes, Bernard developed an alternative solution to ensure direct‑delivery products reached retailers ahead of Labor Day, protecting $1.3 million in seasonal sales. Through strong analysis, collaboration and problem‑solving, Michelle strengthened execution, expanded opportunities and delivered measurable growth for Clorox at AWG.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceMisty Bryant
Director of Retail Operations, Houchens Food Group
Read MoreMisty Bryant has enjoyed exceptional success in the grocery industry through her significant contributions to Houchens Food Group's operations team. After moving from merchandising support to operations, she brought valuable firsthand knowledge of merchandising and pricing to our stores' daily operations.
Under her leadership, Bryant has made a significant impact on HFG's efforts to reduce shrinkage. Her collaborative leadership style and ability to mentor peers and leaders have strengthened operational execution across the organization.
In preparation for her promotion to her current role for HFG's cost-plus format stores, she immersed herself in store operations, spending one-on-one time in a local store to learn every role within the operation.
Today, Bryant oversees six regional managers responsible for 70 stores. What truly sets her apart is her dedication to ongoing growth and community involvement. She is part of the Leadership Bowling Green Class of 2026, a program in partnership with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce that fosters civic engagement and leadership. Through this program, she continues to explore, connect and give back to the community.
Bryant exemplifies the best of the industry. The influence she has had on the operations team in such a short period underscores her dedication, leadership and motivation.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceMisty Deskins
Senior Director of Marketing, K-VA-T Food Stores, dba Food City
Read MoreMisty Deskins joined the Food City team in 2003, serving as operations clerk for the corporate headquarters while attending college full time. She has since served in a number of key roles, including director of loyalty marketing, e-commerce and outside sales.
Deskins was promoted to her current role in 2025. She is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of marketing, including traditional and creative advertising, sports marketing, loyalty marketing and special events, as well as e-commerce and gift card/certificate outside sales.
Deskins serves on the board of directors for Feeding Southwest Virginia. She also is responsible for Food City's community relations, which provide support for numerous nonprofits, including Food City's School Bucks Program, which has donated more than $23.7 million to participating schools; and its annual Charity Golf Tournament, which has raised more than $19.3 million.
Deskins has been recognized as one of Tri-Cities Business Journal's 40 under 40. She is a graduate of The University of Virginia's College at Wise, with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a minor in psychology. She has certifications from Cornell University in retail and brands, executive leadership and omnichannel leadership.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceMisty Kern
Director of Training, K-VA-T Food Stores, dba Food City
Read MoreMisty Kern is a respected leader whose influence is felt across the company and the communities it serves. She began her career on the front-end and advanced through store management before assuming responsibility for oversight of training and food safety operations for Food City's 164 retail locations and distribution center.
Kern has led leadership and food safety training for hundreds of associates, streamlined learning through more than 70 updated courses and helped ensure company-wide SafeMark Food Protection certification. She strengthened training initiatives by expanding internship programs, adding instructional design expertise and establishing a university partnership providing tuition discounts for associates and their families.
Kern serves on NGA's Women Grocers of America Board, Eastman Chemical's Community Advisory Board, State of Tennessee's Solid Waste Advisory Board and Radford University's Employer Advisory Board, contributing insight on workforce development, sustainability and community collaboration.
She is a founding member of Food City's EMPOWER women's group and sponsors the company's Eco/Sustainability Committee. Her initiatives have reduced single-use plastic, lowered costs and encouraged community recycling.
Kern also gives back through Habitat for Humanity and the CSX Santa Train. A recipient of the Claude Varney Volunteerism Award, she leads with purpose, integrity and measurable impact.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceNancy Paredes
Director of Culinary Operations, Superior Grocers
Read MoreNancy Paredes is a respected leader whose influence is defined by her ability to elevate standards, develop people and translate strategy into consistent execution across Superior Grocers. She plays a pivotal role in protecting brand integrity while strengthening performance at scale.
Paredes' impact is most evident in her commitment to clarity and consistency. She authored the Hot Foods Training Checklist, a standardized training resource that reinforces food safety, execution discipline and operational alignment across stores. This work reflects her focus on practical innovations, simplifying complex expectations into tools that empower frontline teams and leaders.
Equally central to Paredes' influence is her people-first leadership approach. Through regular field engagement and weekly operational recaps, she provides coaching, reinforces accountability and shares actionable insights that connect corporate priorities to daily behaviors that drive results. Her communication consistently emphasizes development, ownership and protecting the brand.
Paredes also collaborates cross-functionally on safety initiatives, product rollouts and
operational issue resolution, ensuring alignment and timely support across departments. Her credibility, follow-through and leadership presence make her a trusted partner and influential voice within the organization.
Celebrating the Women of Influence in the food industry for 21 years!
Presented by The Shelby-Griffin Report
Share your favorite nominee!
#WOI2026 #WomenInFood
Stay updated on future WOI events!
Subscribe