By Meredith Gremel
SpartanNash
Recognizing the next generation of leaders in the grocery and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries, Progressive Grocer recently announced its 2020 GenNext Award winners, with a trio of SpartanNash associates among those being honored.
In total, 40 GenNext Award winners are being recognized for their work in bringing the industry into the future, including SpartanNash Director, Retail Meat and Seafood Dan Estelle; Director, E-commerce Matt Van Gilder; and Director, Retail Marketing Jessica Wong.
“At SpartanNash, we embrace the unique talents and backgrounds of our associates, because we know those perspectives are what set us apart and make SpartanNash a great place to work,” Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Yvonne Trupiano said. “Across our company, we have many up-and-coming leaders who are driving innovation and business results, all while leading by example and motivating others to achieve great things. We are proud of Dan, Jessica and Matt’s leadership and inspired by their vision.”
Progressive Grocer’s GenNext Award recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in either the food retail or CPG industries; innovation through the work they are doing; leadership, including the capacity to inspire and lead others as well as continue to learn from others; and a commitment to getting involved in the industry by helping through charities or in the community.
In 2019, SpartanNash’s leadership team included 1,700 managers or higher across its company footprint. Of those, 20 percent are millennials or younger, according to the SpartanNash Corporate Responsibility: Social and Environmental Progress Report.
As part of its associate development efforts, SpartanNash has also launched a number of training and leadership courses, including “Inspirational Leadership” and “Excelling as a New Leader” courses. In 2019, associates completed nearly 10,000 leadership development courses to help them achieve their career objectives.
Through its GenNext Award, Progressive Grocer honors a new generation of leaders who are working together to better meet the needs of today’s evolving shopper.
All honorees will be recognized in Progressive Grocer’s November 2020 issue and at the GenNext Symposium.
