Grocery From Her Seat, Insights for Independent Grocers

A small moment in a grocery aisle can change a day—and sometimes a career. We sit down with Misty Bryant, Director of Merchandising Support at Houchins Food Group, to unpack how a curious part-time start became a purpose-driven path built on service, mentorship, and data that actually helps people. From a child’s joy over a Peppa Pig toy to the precision of electronic shelf tags and rapid out-of-stock scans, Misty shows how human c...

A 43-day government shutdown turned food policy into a stress test for everyone from federal agencies to front-end cashiers. SNAP benefits were shut off for the first time ever, courts issued conflicting directives, and retailers faced a moving target of guidance while trying to keep communities fed. We sit down with Stephanie Johnson, Group VP of Government Relations at the National Grocers Association, to break down what actually...

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Today, we take a look back at an episode from April of this year when Kristin had the opportunity to interview Amy Neimenscheck.  

This year, Amy has been named WGA’s Woman of the year and just this week installed as the first female chair of the ROFDA Board, Amy's journey reflects both personal achievement and industry wide progress. 

 From her start as an accountant to leading as a CEO, her past shows what it means to combine ...

Chelsea Matzen, Vice President Foundation at the National Grocers Association, unpacks how scholarships, mentorship, and community-powered programs shape the next generation of independent retail leaders.

She gets candid about:

• drawing healthy boundaries in an always-on world, 
• the broader shift toward digital convenience, especially for Gen Z shoppers, 
• and leadership, inclusion, and the future of feeding communities

Subscribe...

How Sheila Ebanks Leads at Coca-Cola While Raising Four Kids

Sheila Ebanks, Head of Large Store at The Coca-Cola Company, shares her inspiring journey from delivery truck driver to managing key retail partnerships with Albertsons, Publix, and H-E-B. As a mother of four (ages 5 to 28), Sheila redefines work-life balance through intentional integration—prioritizing family events and embracing flexibility.

She opens up about mentorship,...

Shannon Clark takes us on a remarkable journey from building a log cabin by hand in rural Kentucky to revolutionizing marketing strategies at Houchens Food Group. This conversation reveals how her unconventional path—beginning in apparel manufacturing before transitioning to retail operations and eventually grocery e-commerce—equipped her with unique perspectives that drive her success today.

Shannon offers refreshingly ho...

What happens when you grow up immersed in grocery technology from age 14? For Caroline Catoe, President of ECRS, it created a unique perspective on both the challenges and opportunities facing independent grocers in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape.

From her early days taking support calls as a teenager to her current leadership role, Caroline  shares the wisdom gained from working alongside her father...

Sierra Brewer stands at the exciting intersection of tradition and innovation in grocery. As a Cornell University student preparing to become the first US category manager for The Modern Milkman, she brings fresh perspectives on how sustainability and convenience can reshape grocery retail.

What makes this episode particularly compelling is Sierra's bold prediction that the grocery industry is approaching a critical i...

Anne Feder, Senior Vice President of Client Growth and Product with eGrocery, shares her journey from psychology grad to grocery tech leader and how she balances career ambitions with motherhood of three children.

• Managing client services from implementation to day-to-day operations for eGrocery's white-label SaaS platform
• Starting in mortgage banking during a recession before moving through automotive, pharma...

Greg Ferrara, President and CEO of the National Grocers Association, brings his unique perspective as both a former independent grocer and long-time industry advocate to discuss the rapidly changing political landscape affecting food retailers.

Drawing from nearly two decades of experience at NGA and his background running his family's New Orleans supermarket, Ferrara offers a candid assessment of the volatile tariff ...

What happens when you combine legal expertise with a passion for understanding the grocery business from every angle? Stephanie Becker, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Associated Wholesale Grocers Incorporated (AWG), reveals how her journey from real estate law to grocery leadership unfolded through curiosity and persistence.

"I just started asking questions and kept walking into meetin...

Amy Niemetscheck takes us through her remarkable journey from public accounting to becoming President and CEO of Serco Inc., where she leads a cooperative serving 250 independent grocers with over 550 employees. Her story exemplifies how non-traditional career paths can lead to exceptional leadership in the grocery industry.

The conversation reveals Amy's refreshing leadership philosophy: rather than pretending to kno...

What does a three-decade journey from cashier to industry leadership look like? Jennifer Graff, Director of Perishable Operations at Columbiana Foods Inc., reveals the turns and transformative experiences that shaped her remarkable career in independent grocery.

Jennifer's story begins in 1989 as a teenage cashier, moving through numerous departments—from cake decorating to video rentals (remember those?)—before findi...

Miriam Framson is the Vice President of Operations at Citrus America, Inc., a US distributor of highest-quality European equipment for the food service and grocery industries.

Born to an Austrian mother and an American father, Miriam's personal and professional international experience spans continents. She earned both her master's in Export and Internationalization Management and her bachelor's in Economics from the...

Jamie Collins shares her career journey and insights on grocery marketing trends, emphasizing the significance of data, adaptability, and mentorship in the evolving landscape. The conversation highlights generational shifts in consumer behavior and the challenges of technology in marketing.

• Jamie's transition from corporate marketing to grocery 
• Importance of data-driven marketing strategies 
• Generationa...

Listen to the discussion between Heidi Huff, SVP of Consumer Development at Alliance Retail Group and WGA board member, alongside Nick Nikitas, General Manager of Local Independent Grocery at Instacart at last year's NGA conference. 

With detailed insights, Heidi and Nick illuminate how retail media analytics are empowering retailers to track every dollar spent, ensuring maximum impact and accountability.

The conversat...

This episode explores Donna Zambo’s, VP, Chief Marketing Officer for Allegiance Retail Services, remarkable journey in the grocery industry, highlighting her passion for food, community, and innovation. Donna shares her insights on leadership, technology, and the evolving grocery landscape.

• Donna’s early grocery experiences shaped her connection to the industry 
• The impact of personal stories on professional paths ...