Women Grocers of America brought together 100 women representing independent retailers, wholesalers and industry partners for its sold-out 2026 WGA Symposium in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.
Hosted and sponsored by Ecolab, the symposium combined leadership development and peer networking with discussions of issues facing the independent grocery industry. Attendees also had the opportunity to tour Ecolab’s labs and learn more about the company’s work in food safety, water management and pest prevention.
“The WGA Symposium is about giving women across our industry a space to learn from one another, build meaningful relationships and strengthen the leadership skills that will help move independent grocery forward,” said Chelsea Matzen, VP of the NGA Foundation. “The energy and collaboration attendees brought to this year’s program was truly remarkable. WGA is grateful to Ecolab and all of our sponsors for helping create an experience where women at every stage of their careers could connect, share ideas and leave better equipped to lead.”
Programming addressed issues shaping the day-to-day and long-term strategies of independent grocers, including food traceability amid changing regulations, cybersecurity and shrink.
Leadership was a common thread throughout the event. Joe Kiedinger of Dignify opened the symposium with “Great Leaders Lead Themselves First” and returned Wednesday for a session focused on dignity-based coaching.
Kelly Zehfuss of Analytical Storytelling challenged attendees to approach strategy as a behavior rather than a title, reinforcing the role leaders at every level can play in advancing their organizations.
The event concluded with an “Executive Perspectives” panel featuring four senior women leaders from across the grocery industry: Stephanie Becker of Associated Wholesale Grocers, Katie Paul of KeHE, Justyne Uribe of Certco and Donna Zambo of Allegiance Retail Services. The panelists shared perspectives on career growth, leadership and what it will take to continue moving the industry forward.
The NGA Foundation thanked host and sponsor Ecolab, along with The Coca-Cola Co., Associated Wholesale Grocers, BRdata, JB Group, ECRS, Flashfood, Lipari, Ink’d Greetings, Empower Fresh, Grocery Equipment Sales LLC, Imperial Distributors and Instacart, for their support of the 2026 symposium.
The next WGA Symposium will take place the week of Sept. 14-17, 2027. Additional details will be announced in coming months.
Women Grocers of America is a professional development network operating under the NGA Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Grocers Association. WGA supports women in the independent grocery industry through leadership development, networking opportunities, scholarships and educational programming.
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