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
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2026 Women of InfluenceCarolina Pinedo
Fresh Replenishment Manager, Northgate González Markets
Read MoreCarolina Pinedo oversees planning and supply strategies for key Northgate González Market fresh departments, including prepared foods, meat, produce, bakery and tortillería. She aligns demand forecasting, production planning and inventory management across stores and commissary operations to ensure teams have the right products available at the right time.
Pinedo works with cross-functional partners to improve processes, strengthen supplier relationships and support operational execution that enhances the overall customer experience.
Pinedo began her career with Northgate on the front lines as a bagger and cashier, gaining valuable insight into store operations and customer service. Through determination and a commitment to continuous learning, she advanced into roles in supply chain, category management, replenishment and procurement. These experiences helped her develop a strong understanding of the company's operations and the importance of collaboration in driving growth and supporting store teams.
Pinedo is motivated by the positive impact Northgate has on customers and associates. She values the company's strong culture, family roots and dedication to serving the community while continuing to innovate. She describes her leadership style as collaborative and focused on accountability.
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2026 Women of InfluenceCaroline Short
Host Engagement Generalist, Lowes Food Stores
Read MoreCaroline Short is a results-driven leader whose impact is felt across two divisions marked by complex host dynamics and persistent staffing challenges. During periods of uncertainty and change, she has consistently provided steady guidance, helping teams navigate difficult situations with clarity, confidence and purpose.
Short is known for her transparent and direct communication style, setting clear expectations while remaining approachable and compassionate. She balances accountability with empathy, ensuring the teams feel supported while still driving operational excellence.
Short makes herself available to the teams, fostering trust and engagement through open dialogue and hands-on leadership. Her commitment to long-term workforce stability is evident in her active involvement in recruitment efforts, including overseeing career fairs and participating in community and university events such as those at UNC Wilmington.
Through these initiatives, she strengthens the talent pipeline while reinforcing the organization's presence and reputation within the community.
An exemplary leader during trying times, Short demonstrates integrity, resilience and a people-first mindset--making her a deserving recipient of this recognition for leadership, influence and service within the food industry.
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2026 Women of InfluenceCarrie Mack
Senior Sourcing Manager, Walmart
Read MoreCarrie Mack is a respected leader known for elevating others and strengthening the produce industry through mentorship, advocacy and community impact. She believes leadership means opening doors for others and works to ensure emerging voices across the industry are heard.
Mack played a pivotal role in launching the first-ever regional IFPA Women's Fresh Perspectives conference in Yakima, Washington, in 2026, an event that drew 228 attendees -- surpassing attendance at the national conference.
The event created an empowering space for women across the Pacific Northwest supply chain, from orchard and warehouse teams to professionals in accounting, human resources and administrative roles. She served as a key advocate and connector, encouraging participation across companies and helping ensure the event represented the diverse voices of the industry.
Throughout her career, Mack has invested in the next generation of leaders. She seeks out those with emerging talent, sponsoring and mentoring them while helping them grow professionally.
Mack also demonstrates deep commitment to her community. She is involved with the YWCA, championing programs that support women's independence, leadership development and access to education and opportunity.
Within the industry, Mack served two years as co-chair of the IFPA Women's Fresh Perspectives Committee and continues to contribute as a member.
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2026 Women of InfluenceCasey Martin
Senior Client and Customer Support Analyst, Schraad Sales & Marketing
Read MoreCasey Martin is a strategic operations leader focused on strengthening client experience through scalable systems, empowered teams and operational excellence. In her current position, she plays a critical role in ensuring the company's rapid growth is supported by a strong operational foundation that allows teams and clients to succeed.
Recognizing that sustainable growth required a more structured support framework, Martin led the restructuring of the customer service and orders department. She implemented scalable processes, developed training programs and authored operational guides that help team members better understand their roles and consistently deliver value to clients. Her work has helped transform the department into a more proactive and reliable partner for both internal teams and external stakeholders.
Martin also leads new client onboarding and serves as a trusted resource for complex vendor and customer challenges. By analyzing workflows and identifying operational gaps, she continually refines processes that improve efficiency, strengthen communication and reduce the risk of critical details being missed.
Her leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that customer service is a direct reflection of a company's values. By investing in people, strengthening systems and fostering collaboration across teams, Martin helps create an environment where service excellence drives stronger partnerships and long-term organizational success.
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2026 Women of InfluenceCasie Broker
Chief Marketing Officer, Price Chopper Enterprise
Read MoreCasie Broker has been a pillar of leadership, innovation and expertise in the grocery industry for more than three decades. She began her career in marketing at Associated Wholesale Grocers in Kansas City, Kansas, where she quickly earned recognition for her strategic mindset and collaborative approach. Broker later brought her talents to Cosentino's Food Stores as director of marketing before stepping into her most influential role in 2010 as chief marketing officer for Price Chopper Enterprises. As CMO, she has been instrumental in positioning the family-owned Price Chopper brand as a market leader throughout the greater Kansas City region. Her commitment to brand integrity and community connection is visible and impactful, reflected in enduring partnerships with organizations such as the Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City and other respected local brands. Broker has also championed the development of a robust, evolving loyalty program, helping transform Price Chopper into a more digitally-driven organization that engages customers across multiple platforms. Her forward-thinking leadership, ability to cultivate lasting relationships and willingness to pursue new opportunities have kept the company competitive in a rapidly changing retail landscape.
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2026 Women of InfluenceCatherine Gipe-Stewart
Director of Marketing, Superfresh Growers
Read MoreCatherine "Cat" Gipe-Stewart is a results-driven marketing leader known for elevating her company and the broader produce community. In her current role, she combines strategic vision with a commitment to service, believing strong businesses and strong communities go hand in hand.
Gipe-Stewart leads the company's volunteer program, encouraging teammates to give back with up to eight hours of paid volunteer time annually. Focused on pillars of education, food security, military support, recreation and environmental sustainability, she organizes volunteer initiatives that strengthen community partnerships and invest in the region.
Across the industry, Gipe-Stewart champions leadership development and connection. She spearheaded the first regional IFPA Women's Fresh Perspectives conference in Yakima, Washington, bringing together 228 attendees from across the Pacific Northwest. The conference created an empowering space for women across every role in the supply chain, from orchards and warehouses to accounting, HR and administrative teams.
Gipe-Stewart also dedicates time to mentorship and community leadership. She served four years on the FPFC Apprentice Taskforce, mentoring emerging industry professionals; serves on the Second Harvest board, supporting food security in the Inland Northwest; and contributes nationally through IFPA's Women's Fresh Perspectives Committee.
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2026 Women of InfluenceCatrin Williams
Senior Director of Store Development, New Seasons Market
Read MoreCatrin Williams leads with a thoughtful, people-centered approach that inspires and motivates those around her. A lifelong learner, she brings humility and a collaborative mindset to her leadership, effectively aligning and synergizing teams to achieve results.
Williams is a caring and authentic leader, known for her integrity, trustworthiness and deep commitment to others.
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.
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2026 Women of InfluenceChelsey Maschhoff
Co-founder, Lottie's Meats
Read MoreChelsey Maschhoff is a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef and sixth-generation farmer's daughter who is rewriting the rules in America's most traditional -- and historically male-dominated -- industries of culinary, meat and agriculture.
Lottie's Meats is a chef-crafted pork sausage brand Maschhoff launched with her sister in 2024. She brings her background as former sous chef at Annette Scratch to Table to a category overdue for a shake-up. While navigating the male-dominated co-packing world, she has held firm on her standards -- insisting on premium pork loin and shoulder cuts and refusing to compromise on clean, all-natural ingredients despite industry pushback. The result: a sausage product with 50 percent less fat, zero nitrates or fillers and flavors that have earned a loyal following.
Maschhoff's leadership extends beyond the product. Lottie's Meats is a 1 percent for the Planet member, and a portion of every sale supports organizations such as the Women's Bean Project, which creates employment pathways for women facing significant barriers. She is committed to amplifying female founders and keeping women -- who so often power businesses from behind the scenes -- visible and celebrated.
In an industry that has long underestimated women from the farm and the kitchen, Maschhoff is building something that honors both -- and refuses to apologize for the quality it demands.
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2026 Women of InfluenceChristy Dwyer
Drug-GM Field Merchandiser, Food 4 Less/Foods Co.
Read MoreChristy Dwyer began her Food 4 Less career in 2001 as an assistant category manager in the grocery department. She was promoted to category manager, a position she held for 12 years and was responsible for the merchandising and promotional strategies for grocery commodities, including food, non-food, frozen and beverage.
In 2015, Dwyer moved to the drug-GM department, where she managed seasonal one-time-buy programs unique to Food 4 Less. For the last five years, she's served in her current role. Over the last 25 years, she successfully managed commodities totaling more than $300 million in sales.
Dwyer serves on the Cultural Council and is part of several leadership programs, including Future Leaders eXperience and EDGE Resource Group. She loves to challenge herself to continue her professional development. Shey has a passion for results and people and she's proud to work for a company that champions women in leadership positions.
Dwyer is most proud of her role as mom and sharing her passions with her daughter, including her support of Olive Crest Los Angeles, an organization that equips young adults with successful futures. To be able to help others, while also being a champion and voice for Food 4 Less, is extremely rewarding to her.
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2026 Women of InfluenceClaudia Keyes
SVP, Operational Excellence -- Acosta Sales Agency, Acosta Group
Read MoreClaudia Keyes led several enterprise-wide initiatives from February 2025 to February 2026 that advanced Acosta Sales' operational capability, strengthened sales enablement and delivered measurable financial impact.
She executed key priorities of The Acosta Way strategy, influencing how more than 1,300 sales and business intelligence associates operate and develop. Her work elevated talent development, operational consistency and data fluency through initiatives such as SuccessFactors talent assessments, The Acosta Way Development Guide, data-fluency and storytelling training, an integrated business planning framework, collaborative value creation for priority clients, career-pathing guides and a standardized Business Manager Onboarding Guide.
Keyes also played a critical role in the order-to-cash transformation, partnering with sales and commercial leaders to define strategy, escalate systemic issues and stabilize operations post-deployment to ensure business continuity and field adoption.
Her financial governance efforts delivered tangible results. She enhanced the monthly No Pay Report process and launched a PowerBI dashboard that helped recover more than $1 million in 120 days. She also led a refined monthly financial management process with sales and operations finance, improving forecasting accuracy, ownership and KPI visibility across multiple channels.
Across all initiatives, Keyes is focused on sustainable change and stronger performance outcomes.
Celebrating the Women of Influence in the food industry for 21 years!
Presented by The Shelby-Griffin Report
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