Jody Adams

Rialto Restaurant

Chef / Owner

Julia Child recommended me for my first restaurant job and included me in the show, “Master Chefs;” Gordon Hamersley gave me my first sous chef position.  He worked me ragged to teach me not to settle for anything but the best. I am most proud of the amazing cooks and chefs I have trained and mentored.  They come back to tell me that what they learned in my kitchen has allowed them to succeed in others. It’s all about the people and relationships so pay attention to each and everyone and let them do their jobs. Don’t take anything for granted.  Watch your pennies.  Do one thing that scares you every day.

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Cathy Barber

L.E. Belcher, Inc.
Sales Manager (CT)

My original mentor was my father who put me to work in his gasoline service station when I was 12.  He taught me the value of good customer service.   In 1976 at ARCO, Ray Sheldrick was my first district manager.  I was the only female sales representative in the region and Ray brought me under his wing.  His training propelled me to achieve outstanding sales results in a very challenging territory and I am grateful for his mentoring.  I became ARCO’s first female AmPm Mini Market rep. with Ray’s support.  Over the years, I’ve had many career achievements; many times I was told something was “impossible,” or “it won’t work.”  I did it anyway and it did work. I think the defining moments continue to happen every time I negotiate a new Supply Agreement and mentor a new customer.  Every opportunity I’ve had to testify in front of the legislature on behalf of NECSA makes me proud to stand up for my industry, to protect it, defend it, and to help us move forward. Having a passion for your work is self-motivating so it’s really not work.  If you don’t feel joy in what you’re doing or where you’re doing it, the risk of change is well worth it.  Feeling happy in your work contributes to a healthy life, a great combination for success.

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Laura Batcha

Organic Trade Association

Senior Business Manager

I am most proud of working to build professional capacity at OTA to better serve the organic industry through timely strategic communications, revamping internet capabilities and building strong relationships with allied organizations. My advice for upcoming younger executives is to enjoy what you do, take risks and accountability for things that matter.

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Sheree Beissner

Cumberland Farms, Inc.
Director of Training & Development

My mentors include Joe Wickersham who encouraged me to get in front of a classroom to share my knowledge and experience.  Once I tamed my fear of speaking in front of a group, I was hooked.  Foster Macrides who gave me the coaching, support and freedom I needed to grow as a training professional.  I gained an incredible amount of experience and knowledge in the many years I reported to Foster.  Patti Firing who continues to challenge, encourage and support me as we take on new and exciting company training & development initiatives. One of the things I am most proud of is being part of the team that created the Professional Development Program for our Retail Operations Management Group.  It has been an incredible learning experience that has had such positive impact on everyone involved.  I am also very proud to be part of the incredibly talented team of training professionals at the Cumberland Gulf Group of Companies.

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Ann Marie Burke

Wakefern Food Corp.
Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Planning

So many of our successful ShopRite owners and dedicated Wakefern associates has been a source of inspiration, support and guidance throughout my career. When Natan Tabak, Wakefern’s CIO, hired me in 1996, he introduced me to the unique culture of our co-op and the importance of consensus-building and teamwork.  He demonstrates the value of being clear, direct and even-handed with both praise and criticism and a passion for hard work. In addition, every day I learn from our CEO Dean Janeway and Executive V.P. Joe Sheridan the value of a sense of humor and that people are people first and employees second. We established a Health and Wellness program to try to decrease heath care costs and the results have exceeded expectations.  In a short time, our “Live Right with ShopRite” Associate group has established a healthy and fun corporate culture through self assessments, exercise classes, weight loss contests and fitness celebrations. Our running club became the “walk-run” club when I joined and we have over 150 members exercising while supporting numerous charities. The bonus has been greater camaraderie and networking throughout our company. In 2011, we will not have any increase in health care costs!   

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Shavonne Clark

Food Lion
Director of Retail Marketing and Innovation

My mentor, June Archer, senior vice president of new business for Godiva Chocolates, influenced my business acumen in the way in which I develop other people and myself even now in the food industry.  She encouraged me to be diligent, proactive, and not to be so hard on myself. JJ Thomas, who hired me in my first job out of college, taught me to hold myself accountable and be comfortable holding others accountable as well. Food Lion Family Banners President Cathy Green Burns helped me to realize how to connect with people in such a way that they perform for you not just because it’s their job or you told them to do so.  This was a significant shift for me, coming into the food industry from the children’s entertainment industry.
A defining moment in my career was when I experienced a difficult career situation at a previous job where my organization was interested in expanding our business relationship with one of our retail clients. We were not equipped to handle the opportunity. I leveraged my strong relationship with the client to help drive change. It gave me the tools to persuade my company to get additional resources and allowed me to deliver against my company’s financial goals and the client’s expectations.

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Celeste Contois

Papa Gino’s, Inc.
Senior Vice President of Human Resources
 
I've had numerous mentors throughout my life and career including my parents. The key characteristics of my mentors are that they have always been positive, proactive people who taught me to believe in myself. They had great vision and created a belief in me that nothing is impossible if you are willing to challenge yourself and create dynamic teams. I am most proud of the culture that we have built at Papa Gino’s.  As a member of the HR Group, we effectively work with all teams from operations to management to marketing. People are my passion and every time a member of our team succeeds in reaching their career goals we win. People are the foundation of every great organization and it is through career guidance, mentorship and training that we can make a difference.  Our number one guiding principle is that “Great People Define our Company,” which includes our team members, guests and community!

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Carla Cooper

Daymon Worldwide
Director of Media and Community Relations

I owe a great deal to the many mentors that I have chosen over the years.  I have found that my mentors change with my career progression and they come from both the companies that I work in and my outside involvements.  I use mentors as models of experience and behavior and I also use them for advice.  My most valuable mentors have been the ones that were aggressive in their direction and advice to me.  I listen carefully to them and follow up on their suggestions.  Because of the follow through, they feel good about giving me more candid feedback.  I credit my mentors and my use of them for a balanced and steady movement upward in my career. I believe strongly in the philosophy that people are your greatest asset in business.  I am most proud of the large following of great people that I have met along the journey of my career and that have worked alongside of me.  I worked for four of the best companies in the world before accepting my current position at Daymon Worldwide and the people that I impacted by my leadership have paid me back by remaining friends and helpful contacts as all of us move through this life.  It is gratifying to see their successful accomplishments…this is indeed my defining understanding and why I spend so much time on the people part of business.

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Trudy Cooper

OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC
Co-Founder and Senior Vice President

The career achievement that I am most proud of is my role in providing jobs and career paths for so many young people. And all the wonderful friendships I have established along the way. The most challenging part of my job is addressing the ever-changing ways to communicate to our people. To present information in a way that is most easily grasped and used. My thoughts or advice for upcoming younger executives is to just get started. Make great relationships, everyone counts, and everyone is important.

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Tammy DeBoer

Delhaize America
Vice President of Bloom

I have always been very fortunate to have incredible mentors who were genuinely interested in my professional development. One particular mentor taught me that “feedback is a gift” – it’s up to us what we do with it. Sharing my career experiences, challenges and successes to help others is important to me as a mentor as well. I am most proud of the associates’ lives that I have been able to touch in a positive way. I especially enjoy encouraging associates to achieve success and career goals beyond their expectations. My advice for upcoming younger executives is to be sure to stay focused on your career goals and surround yourself with mentors or peers that give you helpful, candid feedback. Don’t set limits on your capabilities. Always show genuine appreciation for the work others do to support you or your functional area, and keep in mind that developing solid, sustainable professional relationships is critical to being successful. 

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Leeann Dias

Shaw’s Supermarket
Director of Non Foods and Private Brands

I have been very fortunate to have had many wonderful mentors in my career. When I first started out I was part of the management training program and had the opportunity to work with a wonderful store manager by the name of Lee Case. She was one of only a handful of female store managers at the time and she taught me the value of “letting your work (and results) speak for itself”.  She took me under her wing and showed me how to work with people at all levels.  She also instilled in me that the least important word in business (and in life) is I, however, by contrast the most important word is WE. The best advice I could give would be the same advice that my father gave me…. “Find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.”  This has held true for me. When I graduated from college I thought I would work in retail for a year or two and then move on to something else….well that was 29 years ago. The other piece of advice I would give is to find something you are passionate about, this may be easier said than done but when you find your passion the time flies by, and finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help!

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Tanya Domier

Advantage Sales and Marketing
President and Chief Operating Officer

I have been very fortunate to have one mentor throughout my career: Sonny King, chief executive officer and chairman of the board for Advantage.  I have learned many things from Sonny throughout the years and his wisdom and counsel have been of great value to me.  He taught me early in my career to focus on what matters and to put the right people in the right roles.  I learned from Sonny that in order to get the most out of a team, you really need to maximize each individual’s strengths and minimize his or her weaknesses.  Sonny also has a great vision for the business and a quiet, but charismatic leadership style that makes people want to accomplish great things for both him and the organization. Of all of the accomplishments that I am most proud, the one that is top of mind is the success of the talented people whom I have been able to help in building their careers at Advantage.  During a ten-year period, I watched new talent grow in the organization, be students of the business, and accomplish great things for clients and customers.   Ten years later, I am now watching those same individuals lead the company.  Building a company where talent wants to come and where talent can grow is what I am most proud of, and it is a wonderful feeling to watch the careers build of these individuals. 

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Joanne Dwyer

Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
Director of Food Industry Relations & Business

Development Representative

I’ve had many mentors throughout my life. Everyone has their own gifts, style and something to learn from. My dance teacher – Gertrude Hallenbeck, was an inspiration. My parents – I started my career in the food industry with them in the produce business. At the Food Bank – our executive director Mark Quandt, and many staff and committee members. We have achieved tremendous growth thanks to dedication, collaboration and the skills we each bring to the table. This is also true with the women I’ve worked with through the Chamber Women’s Business Council. Until I worked at the food bank, I did not realize the magnitude of food waste, or the number of people facing hunger. I’ve had many accomplishments, resulting in significant increases in food, funds, and in-kind resources to support our growth in service. In 2010, the Food Bank provided nearly 25 million pounds of food and grocery items to more than 1,000 programs serving over 244,000 people. When I visit agencies I’m always humbled by being treated like a celebrity for something as fundamental as helping acquire and provide food to people in need. Having the privilege of experiencing the face-to-face “thanks” and seeing the positive impact of those efforts are the times I find most rewarding.

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Sandra Estep

Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Vice President & Controller, Corporate Accounting

My boss, David Phillips, has been a great mentor, leader and teacher. Also, Tina Johnson, advisor to the chief executive officer, has been a wonderful mentor for me. The career achievement I am most proud of is winning the George W. Jenkins Excellence in Leadership award for Support in 2001. The most challenging aspect of my job is to do everything possible for the associates I lead to advance in their careers. I am challenged to continually improve all the processes in Accounting and Payroll.

My advice for upcoming younger executives is: Don’t take individual credit for accomplishments. Give the credit to the associates you lead and your co-workers. Volunteer for more responsibility without expecting more pay. (That will come after you are successful.)

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Kathleen Ferguson

Johnson O’Hare Co., Inc.
Vice President of Sales, JOH Specialty Foods
 

I have had many mentors over the past 27 years in the food industry but the following three really stand out for me and guided me during the early days of my career:  Terry Sheehan, Jim Fowler and Nancy Kubilus.  Terry encouraged me to push the boundaries and try out different areas within the organization and under her tutelage I continued to succeed and move forward at Star Market.  Jim Fowler was the first store manager that I worked for as  assistant store manager, I then worked with him as the Recruitment Manager and as a Category Manager at Shaw’s Supermarket.  Jim helped me to see the importance of relationships and details within our everyday work.  He was always there to give me advice and encouragement.  Nancy Kubilus and I worked side by side and she trained me to be a buyer and category manager.  She was setting up the first Wild Harvest and taught me how to set up the World Market program at Star Market.  Over the years, Nancy has been invaluable in helping me to navigate my way through the CPG industry as a whole.  Her insights into specialty and natural foods have helped me to be able to work in the areas that I am passionate about and excel in.  For personal mentors, my parents,  Joanne and Richard Sullivan for instilling the work ethic and telling me I can be whoever I want to be as long as I did it with integrity and fairness and my husband Phil who has been with me for over 20 years, has been incredibly supportive and lived through the crazy hours this life demands!

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Hillary Fleming

Nestlé Waters North America, Inc.
Senior Retail Marketing Manager, Field Operations

Several people throughout my education, career and personal life have imparted some motivation or insight that assisted my success, or recommended me for committees and project teams that yielded excellent opportunities to learn something new.  Beyond that, I’ve always had strong support from my family which counts for a lot – especially when things may not be going “according to plan". I am most proud of managing our Nestlé Pure Life Pink Pack Program, which “went national” in 2009 and has developed into a fabulous partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  The program began in 2007 as a customer-specific promotion and now is large enough to fund research grants.  We started working with BCRF in 2009 and wanted to link our donations to something tangible.  We were able to fund a year-long research grant at the conclusion of the 2009 Pink program and in 2010 we raised enough to fund two!  It’s been a great experience to work on this program – bringing our retail goals together with a wonderful cause. 

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Gwen Forman

Cumberland Farms
Vice President of Marketing

Although I have had a handful of mentors over the years, each of which has provided guidance, the most important mentor is a woman I worked with when I was a consultant at a strategy consulting firm early in my career. By working closely with her and observing her behavior, I learned three lessons that I have lived by and reflected on over the years. The first is about the criticality of prioritization. Given there is never enough time to complete everything, it is absolutely crucial to take the time upfront to identify the things that really matter and communicate these priorities to your team. The second lesson is that once you have identified the set of high-priority items, there is no excuse for doing less than your best, no matter how hard you need to work to get there. And the third and most important lesson is that you should never compromise your principles on the job, regardless of the circumstances. I am most proud of developing and implementing programs that resonate with customers, plus have generated positive financial results for Cumberland Farms; and having the privilege of successfully leading a tremendously talented group of people with a diverse set of backgrounds.

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Lisa Foster

CVS Caremark 
Executive Placement

My parents and family have been a strong influence in my life. My grandfather taught us to dress for the position you aspire to hold. We are very supportive and have a passion for our career path. Laurie Goldman was a strong influence in my executive search work. She taught me that there is always another stone to turn over, persevere and stay positive. I am most proud of my work at CVS Caremark. The leaders are inspiring with a passion for excellent service. They are supportive and provide many opportunities for career growth. A self-empowered mind-set with high accountability is a key competency and value. My advice for upcoming executives is to develop skill in presentation and influencing. Mentorship programs are helpful. I recommend learning more about sponsorship relationships. A sponsor is a senior manager with influence at your company who has the ability to get their sponsored employee considered for promising opportunities, challenging assignments, and promotions.

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Susanne Greelish

Bake'n Joy Foods / Boston Coffee Cake
Account Executive

My work ethic and love of working with people I attribute to my father, a career foodservice professional ‘til he retired at age 83. There are co-workers, managers, and customers who have helped me learn the business. There are too many to list and I don’t want to name only a few leaving others out. The achievement I am most proud of is receiving the Sales Person of the Year Award from Sysco Boston. It was the greatest honor.  I am very proud of the growth in sales I have achieved.  I attributed much of this to our fabulous team support. My advice for upcoming younger executives is: when dealing with any level of customer, be sincere. Follow up and follow through with what you say. Have a plan! Join women’s networking groups and develop relationships with your sisters in the industry. Ask for help.

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