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 InfluenceSherry McBride
Asset Protection Specialist, Lowes Foods
Read MoreSherry McBride provides steady and confident leadership in the area of financial card, e-commerce and front porch fraud and process execution for retail operations support.
Ensuring that retail stores are compliant with all regulatory requirements and overseeing operation support for all aspects point of sale technology and process are her major objectives.
McBride oversees a best-in-class retail front porch fraud prevention program and serves as an important liaison to POS IT support to ensure front porch systems are correctly programmed and guest interaction is frictionless.
McBride recently was recognized by the North Carolina Association of Homicide Investigators for her work on identifying and testifying to POS transactions that became evidence in a murder case. In her free time, she volunteers in the community through the Relay for Life cancer research organization and has been a board member overseeing various fundraising activities for cancer research.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceStacey Schultz
SVP of Brand Marketing, Utz Brands
Read MoreStacey Schultz is responsible for portfolio brand health and strategic growth across Utz Brands' total portfolio, inclusive of flagship brands Utz, On The Border, Boulder Canyon and Zapp's.
Since joining the company in 2020 with the acquisition of Truco Enterprises, where she served as SVP of marketing and innovation, Schultz has expanded her roles and responsibilities. She has built capabilities within her team along with actions to address brand performance.
Schultz is a driver of change, developing and leading the marketing planning process, organizational contingency planning and marketing budget creation and management. She is a critical contributor to the organization and continues to push for advancements and growth.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceStaci Smith
VP of Risk Management, Utz Brands
Read MoreStaci Smith leads the Utz Brands' enterprise risk management function with expertise and a depth of knowledge that is rare in the industry. Joining Utz in July 2023, Smith brought nearly a decade of risk management experience from The Hershey Company, where she served as senior specialist of risk and insurance and risk manager, developing a mastery of the field that she now applies daily on behalf of Utz and its associates.
Smith holds Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter and Associate in Risk Management designations, which are among the most respected credentials in her profession. Her responsibilities at Utz extend well beyond risk management. She also oversees the company's internal audit program, bringing the same rigor, thoroughness and diligence to that work as she does to every challenge placed before her.
What distinguishes Smith, however, is not only her deep functional expertise but the way she shows up for her colleagues. She is a true team player in every sense, always willing to go above and beyond, work cross-functionally and do whatever is required to strengthen the teams and people around her.
Smith's combination of technical excellence, work ethic and collaborative spirit makes her an invaluable asset to Utz Brands and an exemplary model of leadership.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceStefanie Pandol
Marketing/Sustainability Specialist, Pandol Brothers
Read MoreStefanie Pandol is a true leader in the food industry and someone who embodies influence both professionally and personally. As a fourth-generation steward of her family's business, she carries forward more than 75 years of farming in California's Central Valley with pride, integrity and a deep sense of responsibility. She honors tradition while confidently driving innovation through strategic marketing and sustainability initiatives that will impact the industry for generations.
Pandol is hardworking, driven and passionate about produce and the people behind it. She leads with ethics, respect and long-term vision. Sustainability under her leadership is not a trend but a commitment to land stewardship, operational excellence and thoughtful innovation.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Pandol is loyal, encouraging and supportive. She celebrates others' wins, leads with humility and creates a sense of belonging wherever she goes. The same trust and care she builds with growers, partners and employees are the qualities that make her an extraordinary friend to so many.
Pandol's influence extends far beyond her title. She lifts up those around her and represents the best of the next generation of leaders in the food industry.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceStephanie Doherty
Chief Relationship Officer, Birdzi
Read MoreWith a career rooted in both retail and technology, Stephanie Doherty helps turn complex data tools into human-centered partnerships. As the first face new partners meet at Birdzi, an artificial intelligence-powered customer platform built for grocery retailers, she sets the tone for every client relationship.
Doherty's hands-on approach to onboarding and strategy has driven 100 percent retention among long-term retail partners and expanded services in more than 50 percent of accounts. In the first quarter of 2025, 32 percent of clients' shoppers moved up in customer value segments compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, a direct signal that the personalization strategies she co-designs drive success.
The campaigns Doherty helps build on Birdzi's VISPER platform generated an average of $7.4 million in incremental sales per retailer in 2024, with email open rates of 58.4 percent, far above industry benchmarks.
Beyond the metrics, Doherty is a champion for her communities. For example, she played a key role in Birdzi's commitment to the Western Association of Food Chains Education Fund. Birdzi joined as a donor family member and contributed $15,000 to support workforce development and education across the industry.
Doherty mentors teams navigating digital transformation, designs high-impact shopper engagement programs and shows up as a trusted partner. She brings a friendly, warm demeanor to a tech industry that can often feel impersonal.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceStevie Smith
Human Resources Business Partner Support Office, Giant Food
Read MoreStevie Smith is an inspiring, results-driven leader whose impact reaches beyond her role. She is committed to developing talent, investing considerable time in identifying associates' strengths and creating clear, actionable plans for their growth and career advancement. Her leadership is rooted in empathy; Smith embraces all perspectives and creates a space where every voice feels valued.
A natural coach, Smith empowers others through thoughtful feedback and steady mentorship, helping individuals realize their potential. She connects daily work to the organization's broader mission, inspiring teams with a strong sense of purpose.
Known for her agility, Smith anticipates and navigates change with a growth mindset, seeing evolving circumstances as opportunities for innovation rather than obstacles. She also excels at fostering collaboration.
Smith builds trust, promotes shared ownership and breaks down silos to unify teams around common goals. Her openness is a hallmark of her leadership. She shares her perspectives while encouraging others to contribute theirs. When faced with uncertainty or tough decisions, she leads with courage, clarity and action.
Smith's influence extends into her civic and philanthropic commitments, where she supports causes that strengthen communities. She embodies the qualities of a true Woman of Influence -- principled leadership, dedication to others and a drive to create lasting impact.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceSusan Abernathy
Accounting Manager, Merchants Distributors (MDI)
Read MoreSusan Abernathy provides the steady financial leadership that helps keep the wholesale operation at Merchants Distributors (MDI) running smoothly each day. Through her oversight of accounts receivable and payable, she ensures the accuracy, timeliness and strong financial controls that support the company's ability to serve retailers across the network.
Abernathy brings a thoughtful and disciplined approach to her work, consistently delivering reliable results while managing complex financial processes with precision. Her leadership helps maintain the flow of transactions that support vendors, retailers and internal teams, ensuring the business operates efficiently and with accountability.
A long-tenured employee, Abernathy has built a reputation for professionalism, integrity and a calm, solutions-focused leadership style. She leads her team with respect and clarity, creating an environment where challenges are addressed quickly and service expectations remain high.
Much of Abernathy's work takes place behind the scenes, yet the impact of her leadership is felt across the organization. Colleagues know they can depend on her steady presence, sound judgment and willingness to take ownership when challenges arise.
Through her reliability, financial expertise and commitment to supporting people and process, Abernathy continues to make a lasting contribution to the strength and stability of the wholesale business.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceSydney Gaston
Customer VP, Direct Grocery for Publix, Meijer and Wakefern -- Meals and Beverages, The Campbell's Company
Read MoreSydney Gaston is an outstanding leader known for elevating strategic customer partnerships and delivering sustainable, profitable growth. Since joining Campbell's in 2019, she has held roles of increasing scope and impact, including team leader for Ahold Delhaize; senior manager, customer development for Simple Meals across U.S. grocery and Walmart; and customer sales lead for Aldi, Lidl and Save A Lot.
She has collaborated to bring innovation to life, including launching Swanson broth pouches and multiple Prego and Pace sauce innovations and driving quality improvements and supply chain efficiencies. Her drive has fueled exceptional results: overdelivering net sales against the annual operating plan by millions, underspending authorized trade budgets and achieving one of the company's highest annual operating plan attainment percentages.
Gaston previously spent three years at The Kraft Heinz Company in roles such as customer category manager, natural, specialty and Aldi; and customer sales lead, further bolstering her expertise as a results-driven, customer-centric leader.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceSydney Ruggieri
Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Wakefern Food Corp.
Read MoreSydney Ruggieri leads with a strong focus on achieving ambitious goals. She is an approachable, humble and intelligent leader who is people-centered and supportive of those around her.
Ruggieri challenges her teams to reach high standards while providing the trust, consistency and support needed to succeed. Known for her likeability, she inspires others to elevate their performance and strive for their best.
With a strong focus on results and team development, Ruggieri creates an environment where individuals and teams can thrive.
Recognized by her organization as a high-potential leader, she was selected to attend the Food Industry Management program at the University of Southern California, an investment in her continued growth and future leadership impact. She represents a rising leader who is expanding her influence and helping shape the future of the food industry.
-
2026 Women of InfluenceTabitha Henry
VP of Kroger Sales, Gourmet Foods International
Read MoreSince joining Gourmet Foods International in 2009, Tabitha Henry has become a cornerstone of the company's leadership team. She has spent more than a decade cultivating one of GFI's most significant retail partnerships, with a focus on innovation and collaborative success.
A veteran of the specialty food industry, Henry is recognized by her peers for her visionary leadership and her ability to navigate the complexities of large-scale retail distribution.
One of the most powerful aspects of that leadership is her dedication to developing the next generation of professionals. Through coaching and hands-on development opportunities, she prepares emerging talent to step into larger roles with confidence and competence.
A resident of Atlanta, she finds her greatest inspiration at home with her husband, their daughter and three cats.
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