The National Grocers Association Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association, recently concluded its Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), held May 31-June 4 at Cornell University and supported by longtime program sponsor PepsiCo.
Designed for emerging and established leaders in the independent grocery industry, the four-day program combines interactive instruction, team-based collaboration, leadership assessments and real-world business exercises to help participants strengthen their leadership and decision-making capabilities.
“The ELDP Program continues to provide grocery industry professionals with meaningful opportunities to sharpen their leadership skills, expand their perspectives and build strategies they can immediately apply within their organizations,” said Chelsea Matzen, VP of the NGA Foundation.
“We are grateful to PepsiCo for their ongoing partnership and commitment to investing in the future leaders of the independent grocery industry.”
This year’s program featured a leadership panel of past ELDP alumni and PepsiCo representatives, who covered the state of the independent grocer, how to create joint value through partnerships and the value of leadership training.
Scholarship recipients honored
Two participants received scholarships to support attendance at this year’s ELDP.
Jamie Hofmann of Rosauers Supermarkets was awarded the PepsiCo Leadership Scholarship, which recognizes emerging leaders who demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation, collaboration and advancing the independent grocery industry.
Hofmann was selected for her leadership and contributions across human resources, public relations, project management and e-commerce at Rosauers.
Marquitrice Mangham of In Her Shoes Inc. received the Women Grocers of America (WGA) Scholarship in recognition of her innovative leadership and commitment to expanding food access in underserved communities.
Since 2022, she has launched four fresh-food grocery markets and developed a mobile market model serving rural and disadvantaged communities in the Mississippi Delta. Her work has been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show and in publications including Women in Ag Tech and Mississippi Today.
“Marquitrice exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and community-centered leadership that WGA is proud to support,” said Kristie Maurer, president of Women Grocers of America.
“Her commitment to expanding food access, empowering underserved communities and creating opportunities for local farmers demonstrates the lasting impact strong leadership can have across the independent grocery industry.”
2026 ELDP graduates
The following industry professionals completed the 2026 Executive Leadership Development Program:
- Lou Baggatta, assistant store manager – ShopRite Supermarkets Inc. (SRS);
- Brittany Benton, managing director of marketing – ECRS;
- Maribeth Grant Bleakney, director of operations/director of customer service/e-commerce – Roche Bros. Supermarkets;
- Ellen Boyer, manager, retail food safety and regulatory compliance – Wakefern Food Corp.;
- Kathleen Cellini, assistant store manager – perishables – McMenamin Family ShopRite Inc.;
- Dan Clausius, store director – Sendik’s Food Market;
- Lane Culver, VP, IT – Associated Wholesale Grocers;
- Lewis Davis, retail counselor – Merchants Distributors LLC;
- Matt Dejong, store manager – Woodman’s Food Markets Inc.;
- Russell Emory, director of grocery operations – K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. / Food City;
- Brian Geissel, operations manager – Ravitz Family Markets;
- Jenny Ramos Glasser, bakery merchandising manager – ShopRite Supermarkets Inc. (SRS);
- Bryant Hedrick, director of retail promotions and business development – Associated Grocers Inc.;
- Candace Henderson, merchandising and operations support manager – Houchens Food Group Inc.;
- Stu Hockaday, fresh meat director – Pruett’s Food Inc.;
- Jamie Hofmann, e-commerce and project coordinator – Rosauers Supermarkets
- Chris Jackman, merchandising specialist – Clark’s Market Inc.;
- Allen Jackson, COO – Hugo’s Family Marketplace;
- Steven Jones, district manager – K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. / Food City;
- Michael Koch, district director – Inserra Supermarkets Inc.;
- Chris Lamboy – Wakefern Food Corp.;
- John Leone, pharmacy manager – Ravitz Family Markets;
- Marquitrice Mangham, executive director – In Her Shoes Inc.;
- Brady Manning, director, merchandising – Associated Wholesale Grocers;
- Troy McCarthy, store manager – Woodman’s Food Markets Inc.;
- Ariel McLamb, category manager – Carlie C’s;
- Ronald Montague, store manager – ShopRite Supermarkets Inc. (SRS);
- Nick Nelson, assistant store director – Hugo’s Family Marketplace;
- Brynn Padilla, director of people support – Harmon City Inc.;
- Allyson Pelchat, marketing manager – Roche Bros. Supermarkets;
- Sean Rafferty, store manager – ShopRite Supermarkets Inc. (SRS);
- Rodolfo Salazar, store manager – ShopRite Supermarkets Inc. (SRS);
- Stratton Sigler, executive director, merchandising – Associated Wholesale Grocers;
- Christian Smith, director of operations – Pruett’s Food Inc.;
- Gilbert Vallian, senior operations manager – Associated Grocers Inc.;
- Mick Van Oosten – Wakefern Food Corp.;
- Christopher Washington, store director – Luekens Food Stores Inc.;
- Scott Womeldorff, executive director, IT – Associated Wholesale Grocers; and
- Rick Wright, executive director, warehouse – Associated Wholesale Grocers.
About the NGA Foundation
The NGA Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association, dedicated to cultivating and strengthening the independent grocery industry’s workforce through education, leadership development, and scholarships. For more information, visit www.ngafoundation.org.