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 InfluenceDeborah Pasternack
Senior Director of Category Management, C.A. Ferolie
Read MoreDeborah Pasternack is a strategic and influential leader whose work has elevated C.A. Ferolie's insights and customer‑facing capabilities. In her current role, she oversees the delivery of best‑in‑class category and consumer intelligence that strengthens internal planning and enhances client partnerships.
Pasternack led the development of a suite of Power BI‑powered tools that eliminated thousands of hours of manual slide building and data compilation, enabling teams to focus on clearer storytelling and sharper recommendations.
Her enhancements to KPI tracking and enterprise score carding improved organizational clarity, strengthened visibility into performance drivers and brought greater consistency to reporting.
Pasternack excels at translating broad business needs into practical, scalable solutions. She sets purposeful expectations, ensures alignment and brings discipline to every initiative.
Her leadership emphasizes transparency, collaboration and empowerment. She champions her team's work and fosters an environment where contributions are valued. Her vision for a streamlined space‑to‑sales platform reshaped how the company prepares for customer engagements, resulting in more cohesive, insight‑driven presentations.
With her tools now embedded across core workflows and a leadership approach that strengthens both people and processes, 2026 is the ideal year to recognize Pasternack's lasting impact and contributions.
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2026 Women of InfluenceDora Merrick
Senior Global Product Line Manager, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions
Read MoreDora Merrick began at IBM supporting the point-of-sale platform at the world's largest restaurant ecosystem. She learned the demands of quick-service retail and the critical role technology plays in delivering speed, accuracy and seamless customer engagement across millions of global transactions daily.
This early experience shaped her understanding of the intersection between innovation, operations and consumer behavior.
In her current role, she guides the evolution of technologies transforming how consumers interact across the grocery, convenience and hospitality industries. Modern self-checkout extends beyond automation to empower consumers with greater choice while enabling retailers to improve operational efficiency, reduce shrink and scale while maintaining high-quality service.
Alongside her corporate responsibilities, Merrick is committed to making an impact through philanthropic initiatives. She takes pride in leading Toshiba's volunteer program with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, organizing hundreds of employees to participate in an annual 5K and donating $148,374 since 2021. This organization helps injured veterans and first responders, Gold Star families and homeless veterans with mortgage-free homes.
Merrick's journey reflects a passion for intuitive, accessible self-service technologies that thrive in a increasingly digital world while also making an impactin the community.
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2026 Women of InfluenceElizabeth Hinson
VP, Sales, C.A. Fortune
Read MoreElizabeth Hinson consistently delivers results-driven growth while elevating the performance and potential of those around her.
Her strategic leadership has strengthened retailer partnerships throughout the Southeast, where her deep connectivity and credibility with key accounts have expanded distribution, accelerated brand velocity and driven measurable revenue gains for both emerging and established brands.
Hinson combines sharp commercial acumen with an authentic, people-first leadership style. She builds high-performing teams rooted in accountability, mentorship and collaboration, empowering her sales organization to think strategically and execute flawlessly. Her ability to align retailers, brands and internal stakeholders around shared goals has made her a trusted partner across the industry.
Beyond performance metrics, Hinson is known for cultivating industry relationships that extend far beyond transactions. She supports brand founders, champions innovation and contributes to a culture of partnership that strengthens the broader food ecosystem. Her influence is reflected not only in sales results, but in the confidence, careers and connections she helps shape.
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2026 Women of InfluenceElsie Martinez
Human Resource Business Partner, Stop & Shop
Read MoreElsie Martinez is a strong human resources business partner leader within District 325 who has gained the respect of the team. She is involved in long-term planning for people development, succession planning and career advancement for exempt associates and union staff.
Martinez is able to find success through these programs by coaching and working with a team of store management associates who provide updates on progress and possible cross-training opportunities. She has a strong HR acumen while also being versed in operations expertise and this combination guides her direction of the District 325 team.
Martinez is a solid resource for all associates, and she mentors several newly promoted store managers. She is a confident voice in human resource matters and manages all situations effectively.
Martinez is a leader in the Region 4 HR team, taking on extra assignments and helping support the team however she can. She has done an excellent job of staffing her district, which has the highest volume in the region.
Martinez works to ensure there is proper exempt staffing, as well as a strategic broadband initiative. She is member of several Associate Resource Groups, including the ABLE, Veterans, Health and Wellness and is the co-activations chair of the Women's ARG.
She also is an advocate for Making Strides against Breast Cancer, participating in multiple events throughout the year. In addition, she has donated her time to food banks and soup kitchens.
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2026 Women of InfluenceEmilee Albright
Category Insights Manager, Schraad Sales & Marketing
Read MoreEmilee Albright is a data-driven leader who brings strategic insight and analytical expertise to category management. In her current role, she transforms complex market data into actionable strategies that drive measurable business growth. Through advanced analytics, cross-functional collaboration a deep understanding of consumer behavior, she helps guide category strategy, strengthen product positioning to uncover new revenue opportunities for both clients and retail partners.
Albright plays a key role in translating insights into clear, impactful business decisions. By analyzing syndicated data, market trends shopper behavior, she provides teams with the clarity needed to prioritize opportunities and execute strategic plans with confidence. Her ability to connect data with storytelling helps align teams across sales, marketing leadership around shared growth objectives.
Her leadership style emphasizes curiosity, accountability and continuous learning. Albright works to create an environment where teams feel empowered to ask questions, explore insights use data to guide decision-making. Through training and collaboration, she helps colleagues better understand how to leverage insights tools.
Outside of work, she is committed to building community. From hosting weekly gatherings to supporting neighborhood initiatives such as a community garden and local service projects, she invests in creating connection and support within her community.
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2026 Women of InfluenceEmmy Hume
Senior Manager, Wakefern Food Corp.
Read MoreEmmy Hume leads with a strong focus on performance, team development and operational excellence. She approaches leadership as a coach and mentor, raising her team to achieve challenging hurdles.
Hume is grounded, driven and a humble, results-oriented leader. She has built her career in produce, developing deep expertise in her field.
As a wife and mother, Hume exemplifies what it means to successfully balance family and a career. She is a steady and trusted pillar of strength for her team.
Recognized by Wakefern as a high-potential leader, Hume 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.
Hume 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 InfluenceErika Deschodt
VP Human Resources, Mollie Stone's Markets
Read MoreSince joining Mollie Stone's Markets in 2018, Erika Deschodt has played a vital role in shaping the culture and leadership of the organization while supporting hundreds of employees across stores and the corporate team. In an industry that is constantly evolving, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to lead with clarity, professionalism and integrity.
Deschodt brings a rare combination of resolve, compassion and attention to detail. She approaches challenges thoughtfully and strategically while maintaining a positive and motivating spirit that inspires those around her. Her leadership helps teams remain focused, adaptable and aligned with our company's values.
Through complex workforce and organizational challenges, Deschodt has provided steady guidance to the leadership team and employees alike. Her ability to balance accountability with empathy has strengthened the workplace culture and helped the organization continue to grow and succeed.
Her dedication, professionalism and unwavering spirit make her an exceptional leader and deserving of recognition as a Woman of Influence.
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2026 Women of InfluenceErika Mota
Store Team Leader, Northgate González Markets
Read MoreErika Mota is responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for Northgate González Market associates and guests while leading diverse teams to achieve operational excellence. In her role, she focuses on mentoring team members, upholding high operational standards and ensuring the freshness and quality of merchandise to support strong store performance and customer satisfaction.
Mota began her journey with Northgate in 2004 as a cashier and quickly grew within the organization. She went on to serve as a customer service representative, scan coordinator and human resources manager before being selected for the company's operational fast-track program, now known as immersive leadership training. This experience launched her path in store operations leadership, where she advanced through roles as second assistant and assistant store team leader before assuming her current position.
Mota is motivated by the opportunity to positively impact the lives of associates and customers. She believes in servant leadership, open communication and respect as guiding principles in how she leads her team. She is especially proud of mentoring associates who have grown into leadership roles within the company, viewing their success as one of her greatest accomplishments.
Outside of work, Mota enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children. As a family, they enjoy outdoor activities such as camping and biking.
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2026 Women of InfluenceErin Baez
District Director, Stop & Shop
Read MoreErin Baez is an effective leader who balances people development, community engagement and strong business execution. In 2025, she delivered outstanding results in District 328, driving improvements across operational and financial performance.
Customers noticed her impact, reflected in a customer count increase of 3.86 percent versus 2024. Under Baez's leadership, sales and items remained positive, controllable expenses exceeded budget, and her district recorded the lowest overtime in the company. She also delivered major nonperishable shrink improvements and achieved a 20‑point year-over-year increase in Net Promoter Score, demonstrating her strong focus on customer experience and associate engagement.
Known as a developer of people, Baez closed talent gaps and strengthened the leadership pipeline. In 2025, more than 35 associates in her district were promoted into full-time or exempt management roles. Her ability to build connections, coach effectively and prepare future leaders improved execution and accountability across the district.
These efforts contributed to a year‑over‑year profit increase of more than 400 percent, a clear reflection of Baez's leadership. Throughout 2025, she and her team supported the Hudson Valley and Sparrows Nest Food Banks and volunteered monthly with Community Action of Danbury, where they also donated $10,000 from the district's lottery commission. She also is a member of the Veterans Associate Resource Group.
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2026 Women of InfluenceFarah Lavigne
Store Manager, Hannaford Supermarkets
Read MoreFarah Lavigne is a dynamic and respected leader at Hannaford, whose energy, passion and commitment to people make her stand out. Leading one of the district's highest-volume stores and more than 150 associates, she delivers strong operational results while fostering a culture rooted in our values.
Lavigne's leadership influence extends well beyond her store. She serves as a coach for assistant store managers supporting district DEI initiatives, leading the Talent Development and Staffing Committee and mentoring emerging leaders. Her willingness to invest in others while balancing the demands of a high-volume operation reflects her leadership discipline and deep commitment to building the next generation of talent.
Courage and integrity define Lavigne's leadership style. She shares feedback, fosters collaboration and challenges district leaders to excel as new programs and initiatives are introduced. Her track record of delivering strong results gives weight to her voice and peers value her thoughtful insight and candor.
Lavigne's care for people is evident in the way she champions her team. She takes time to connect with associates, support new leaders and create an inclusive environment where individuals feel confident bringing their full selves to work.
Through collaboration, humor, professionalism and her dedication, Lavigne exemplifies leadership that drives both results and a strong Hannaford culture.
Celebrating the Women of Influence in the food industry for 21 years!
Presented by The Shelby-Griffin Report
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