CSN 2021 Top Women ORG -FULL Convenience store industry; c-store industry; convenience channel; top women in convenience; top female leaders in c-store industry; top female executives in c-store industry; c-store gender parity; c-store gender equality

Ericka Ayles

• As chief financial officer of Yesway, part of BW Gas & Convenience Retail LLC, operating 400-plus convenience stores, Ayles oversees the company’s administrative, financial and risk management operations; directs all company analytics, trend analysis and KPI reporting; and is responsible for reporting to investors. She also serves as a senior advisor to the CEO and chairman, and provides strategic financial input to Yesway’s executive team. • Ayles played a critical role in Yesway’s acquisition of the 304-store Allsup’s chain, serving as a member of the integration management office. She worked to establish Yesway’s new headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, and complete the integration of the two companies — including achieving $24.4 million in cost synergies in 2020, and positioning the company to achieve an additional $14 million in cost synergies in 2021. • Her favorite thing about her current role is the team she works with and the energy at Yesway, which Ayles said is “palpable.”

— Steve Sheetz, Sheetz Inc.

We are constantly trying to find out what customers want and what we can do to give it to them. We want to create the stores that will put the Sheetz stores as we know them today out of business.

— An industry insider

Perhaps more than any other individual, Drayton McLane was instrumental in developing the c-store supply chain we now have.”

Every week, individuals from companies throughout the world visit Kwik Trip’s campus in La Crosse, Wis., to tour its facilities.

The industry learned how to become close to the local communities and raise money for charitable causes. ...The industry grew a heart.

— Dick Wood, Wawa Inc.

• Chambers serves as a liaison between the Fresh Food Operations Team and other departments to successfully plan and implement new food programs to grow the offer at Thorntons. She joined the team in April 2020 after being promoted from region manager. • She is responsible for continuous improvement initiatives, which include monitoring product performance; making recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness of programs; evaluating food safety assessments; and working with the Culinary Team and Training Team to create effective training resources. • Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chambers was instrumental in launching 60 kitchens in Thorntons stores across the chain. She created an implementation plan and managed training for store team members that included both remote and onsite instruction.

• Cunningham manages a team that covers 49 c-store chain call points and nearly 16,000 accounts. In 2020, she led her team to deliver 18.5-percent segment growth in 26 states. • With 16 years of industry experience, she has held multiple leadership roles with FIFCO USA, Team Enterprises, and Red Bull. The list includes national brand launch manager, L&D project coordinator, district sales manager, and national account manager. • According to her nominator, Cunningham has played a significant role in growing FIFCO’s share of business in the convenience channel, and has made an immediate impact with the customers she works with to grow their businesses. She leads by example and “does an amazing job” of collaborating with her partners to bring new and fresh ideas.

• In her leadership role, Davis is responsible for all foodservice operations across Parker’s approximately 68 sites, including 46 Parker’s Kitchen locations offering a full foodservice menu with signature Southern-inspired favorites. • She is tasked with ensuring strong financial performance in each of the Savannah, Ga.-based retailer’s foodservice categories, developing new menu items, maintaining foodservice vendor relationships, and managing food safety and food sanitation practices. • Among her recent accomplishments, Davis collaborated with the Technology and Business Intelligence Team to implement the innovative SmartKitchen, which allows Parker’s Kitchen to predict food demand and keep food fresh and stocked for customers while reducing waste. She also served on the team that rolled out customer-facing ordering kiosks, which have been critical during the coronavirus pandemic.

Renee Bacon

• Born into the convenience store industry, Isbill’s grandfather founded Atlanta-based RaceTrac Petroleum Inc., and her father grew the business to where it is today, serving consumers at more than 550 stores. Currently serving as chief marketing officer, following multiple promotions, she is responsible for marketing, merchandising, architecture and design. More specifically, she says she is “accountable for the brand direction and expectations delivered to our guests, in partnership with the operations team.” • Current projects Isbill is focused on include developing the chain’s evolving food offer, designing the new direction for store prototypes, overseeing a remodel program, and “transforming marketing to being more digitally focused and data driven, including updating our loyalty offering and capabilities,” she noted. • Her best piece of advice for other women is to be authentic to who they are, without feeling they have to “emulate a man or be someone they aren’t in order to be successful. I would challenge them to recognize it is their differences that make them most valuable.”

Melanie Isbill

• In October 2019, Jarratt joined 7-Eleven Inc. as senior vice president and chief marketing officer, and brought with her more than 20 years of experience from senior leadership positions at several consumer packaged goods companies. • Today, she leads strategy and execution to make 7-Eleven the preferred convenience solution for customers through brand strategy, advertising, media, CRM and owned channels, activation and partnerships, in-store experience, customer insights, corporate communications, and customer care. Since joining the company, Jarratt has set out to rediscover 7-Eleven’s brand purpose and vision, as well as conduct in-depth research allowing the organization to understand unmet needs and drive new appraisal for 7-Eleven. • “Leading a marketing transformation for an iconic, 94-year-old brand like 7-Eleven is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she told CSNews. “Throughout all of the challenges the last year has brought our industry, it’s been rewarding to define our new brand purpose and use it to create personal and unique connections with our customers in ways they wouldn’t expect from us.”

Marissa Jarrat

• Koenig holds two Walter Cronkite Awards and five Emmy Awards from more than 20 years working in Washington D.C., as a senior producer for ABC News. She joined the convenience store industry in 2015 as director of communications for CST Brands. Following its acquisition in 2017 by Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT), parent company of Circle K, which operates more than 14,200 stores globally, she became ACT’s first director of North American communications, and then head of global communications in 2020 — just in time for the COVID-19 pandemic. • “Since March 2020, the global communications group has been heavily involved in messaging and content creation around the pandemic and keeping safe our 9 million daily customers and 125,000 team members in 26 countries,” said Koenig, who holds a master’s degree from Oxford University. “This has been no easy task and has been 24/7 work for months as we developed all forms of communications, including executive communications, store-level FAQs and signage, documentation for all our stakeholders, customer communications, and more.” • Koenig leads ACT’s global internal and external communications in Canada, the United States, Europe and other regions. She is responsible for executive, corporate and crisis communications, public relations, strategic leadership and communications for investor relations, employee engagement, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, and global reputation management. Her favorite part of the job is telling the story of ACT, its customers and its commitment to community.

Lisa Koenig

• Abraham oversees a more than $200-million business across key women’s wellness categories. Her business ranks among the top five customer teams for North America feminine care. • Abraham has transformed the way Procter & Gamble goes to market in sanitary and incontinence, according to her nominator. Her leadership led to research that uncovered new insights and links to health, leading to new product innovation streams. She also helped launch the “End Period Poverty” campaign, which has made more than eight million period products accessible to those in need of proper menstrual health and hygiene. • An avid mentor to multiple new hires, Abraham is passionate about enabling a winning culture, and focuses on developing her teams into future leaders.

• Bayley helps guide the direction and impact of the Huck’s Bucks loyalty program. Her contributions to the brand, its customers and its network of employees have been instrumental in Huck’s continued success and traction in the convenience store market. • During the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her team carefully tracked shoppers’ behaviors and preferences and implemented a strategic loyalty solution to deliver on the brand’s high standards for customer experience. • Bayley also oversees an employee-only gifting campaign with food and fuel discounts, as well as free merchandise, to boost recruiting and hiring initiatives while showing sincere appreciation for Huck’s family of essential c-store workers.

• Boulanger guides the Tri Star Energy marketing team and simultaneously executes the needs of the company’s three brands: Twice Daily, Sudden Service, and White Bison Coffee. Her duties include brand development, integrated marketing strategy, plan development and execution, content, and budget management. • In 2017, she helped create the White Bison Coffee brand, which has grown from one standalone location to 14 sites in two markets. In addition to guiding White Bison’s brand identity, Boulanger immersed herself in the world of coffee, visiting coffee farms in El Salvador and meeting workers and families that migrated with the growing and harvesting season. She implemented this real-life experience into White Bison’s marketing and menu. • Boulanger is also known for championing the Twice Daily brand’s charitable giving to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The company recently celebrated $3.4 million being donated to the hospital.

• D’Asaro leads customer and consumer facing technology solutions, including Core-Mark’s Focused Marketing Initiative program, sales development, and the analytics team. As part of the distributor’s senior leadership, she has led multiple broader strategic projects outside of her day-to-day position. • Supporting and providing resources across the entirety of Core-Mark’s footprint in the United States and Canada, D’Asaro has significant influence on how the company leverages technology to connect and enable customers, deliver compelling business insights, and provide data-driven marketing plans. • In 2020, D’Asaro negotiated an exclusive wholesale agreement with PDI to deliver loyalty, scan data and back-office solutions to the Core-Mark customer base. She also led a transformation of the Core-Mark sales team through developing innovative technology tools to optimize efficiency and performance.

• In her multifaceted role, Dhaliwal Emaus spearheads real estate development and new site builds while managing sales, operations and construction activities at Now Save Stores and leading a newly founded energy company with the mission of establishing infrastructure and distributing fuel, as well as alternative energy sources. • Dhaliwal Emaus’ belief in digital and mobile marketing has allowed her partners at Motiva 76 to deliver more engagement and more traffic to her stores. She has been named a University of Louisiana—Monroe Businesswoman of the Year and in 2015, appeared on “Louisiana’s Top 20 Under 40” list. • She is known for building a diverse team of employees that mirrors the communities they serve, and helping Now Save Stores give back to their neighborhoods with a particular emphasis on education.

• Dokos joined Eby-Brown after building a reputation for strategic marketing in the technology and financial industries. Today, she oversees brand strategy, foundations, media, communications, design and innovative direction for the company. She directs high-profile, customer-facing events for Eby-Brown and is a critical link in the recruitment of business, overseeing the development of presentations, messaging and proposals. • She led the effort to create a foodservice identity for Eby-Brown that resonates with customers and has a distinct visual appeal. • Dokos developed the marketing team from the ground up and continually drives her colleagues toward professional and personal growth. Her nominator called her “the glue and the grease” at Eby-Brown, with a keen vision and foresight when it comes to bettering the c-store industry.

• Elfers leads brand strategy, integrated marketing planning, advertising and communications at Casey’s, where she works with her team and agency partners to keep the brand contemporary and relevant. • Among her recent accomplishments are bringing Casey’s new “Here for Good” communication strategy to life while leading the development of its visual identity and logo. Alongside this brand transformation, she and her team refocused the retailer’s corporate giving strategy to amplify the impact Casey’s is having in the communities it serves. • Elfers currently leads the ongoing evolution of Casey’s media investment, driving impact and efficiency along the way.

• Forbes leads a high-performing trade team of 75 individuals, covering approximately 10,000 convenience-gas and non-traditional retail outlets valued at $225 million in annual sales revenue. During her time with Reynolds, she has been a leader and mentor in every role she’s held, proving it is possible to demonstrate leadership at all levels. • She has a track record of delivering high levels of customer support and exceeding commercial goals as a result of building and maintaining collaborative relationships with customers, cross-functional teams, and influential stakeholders. • According to her nominator, Forbes is a Change Champion who has successfully led teams through rapid business and organizational transformation. She is known for being driven by insatiable curiosity, innovative brand portfolios, and a passion for people.

• Flinn sets the strategy and oversees all corporate and operational functions for the entire GetGo organization. Her nominator called her “a people, brands and business builder” who excels in creating marketing and brand strategy and leading its execution. • During the COVID-19 pandemic, Flinn provided exceptional leadership while balancing focus between short-term challenges and long-term goals. She mentored and developed team members at all levels, and made herself available to listen, guide and challenge. Flinn is famous for saying: “If you need anything, it’s 1-800-Polly.” • As an innovator, Flinn recognized GetGo’s ability to serve as a grocery destination, pushed for menu experimentation, and cleared the way to reinvent the company’s digital ordering program, resulting in a significant increase in mobile ordering and payment.

Rising Stars

• Ferguson — who joined United Pacific in 2015 — manages the team responsible for all permitting, licensing and compliance activities in five states with extensive regulatory requirements: California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. • A graduate of the University of San Francisco and Thomas Jefferson School of Law, she also serves as United Pacific’s advocate with key industry trade associations, including the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance (CFCA) and NACS. As a member of CFCA’s Government Relations Steering Committee, she represents the group in Sacramento and on Capitol Hill. • With attention to detail and considerable energy, Ferguson spearheaded the company’s extensive COVID-19 compliance, while managing the regulatory requirements for the acquisition of 95 sites from Platinum Energy and its related entities. The acquisition closed without any delays in permits or licenses.

• Garcia is responsible for Casey’s food safety program in more than 2,200 individual store locations in 16 states, three distribution centers, and the Store Support Center. • She leverages her work ethic to encourage cross-functionality across the enterprise to support, refine and develop food safety objectives and timelines. Garcia is able to identify the everyday challenges in the food industry that need to be addressed because they could lead to complications, from a small nuisance to a large crisis, that may threaten the health and safety of a guest or the reputation of the Casey’s brand. • Garcia coordinated the development of a team of COVID-19 case managers to support the company’s team member COVID hotline and worked closely with federal, state, county and local health departments to ensure compliance throughout the pandemic.

• Gurdock is primarily responsible for coordinating the implementation of all national and local strategies from headquarters to retail. This includes the development, communication and measurement of all advanced capabilities designed to deliver the most efficient and effective retail implementation of call procedures and selling efforts. • Coordinating all Hershey Retail Test pilots is also a part of her duties. In the past three years, she has fundamentally transformed Hershey’s retail execution tools into proprietary industry-leading capabilities. • Gurdock serves as a liaison between sales, retail, category management, sales planning, finance, marketing, and Hershey’s retail execution arm for the U.S. Her role is vital to ensuring programming is executed on time and at the level expected.

• Hillstrom recently left Anheuser-Busch and is now Global Head, Consumer Goods Industry Advisor at Salesforce. An important part of her role at Anheuser-Busch was to identify which trends are here to stay and map out how the category will evolve over the next three to five years, and then build digital and in-store shopper solutions. • In a previous role as senior director, category management, Hillstrom was the lead for shopper insights and author of IGNITE, Anheuser-Busch’s category growth strategy. • She also worked on Anheuser-Busch’s Customer Collaboration Center, through which the company uses cutting-edge technology to bring the evolving world of consumers, shoppers and occasions to life and collaborate with retailers on new shopper solutions.

• Jenks, a 28-year Kwik Trip veteran, is category manager for alcoholic beverages, tobacco and CBD. She has 17 years of beer category experience, and has managed the alcohol and tobacco departments for the past seven years. Jenks received the department’s Co-Worker of the Year award three times. • Among her duties are contract negotiations, promotional planning, planogram development, and cooler sets. She also assists in setting budgets for the categories she oversees. • According to her nominator, Jenks is a “tremendous” category manager to partner with, as she works with her account managers to develop the best product assortment and consumer promotions that will make the biggest impact. With her guidance, Kwik Trip is first to market with innovation, and influences the alcohol and tobacco categories for the entire market.

• Miller leads the operations strategy, integration and maintenance of Love’s entire workforce management suite, which covers 560-plus locations and more than 24,000 employees. • She helps keep all locations safe, legal and compliant, and has implemented an integrated time, attendance and optimized scheduling platform that ties into the workload being created by tasks, and consolidates and simplifies documentation into one system. The platform also creates digital checklists to enable organized and prioritized checklists for field employees. • When Miller joined Love’s three years ago, the travel center operator was just beginning its use of the Reflexis Workforce Management Suite with one module implemented. Miller mobilized the majority of Love’s workforce into using the platform for field employees to keep their tasks, time, schedules and other activities in one place.

• Moore is Eby-Brown’s resident category management expert. She received NACS certification as a category manager, and is currently working on her Certified Professional Category Analyst and Certified Professional Category Manager certificates from the Category Management Association (CMA). • She is part of the company’s Future Leaders program and serves on Eby-Brown’s Vendor Days Team, a program that allows customers to plan their entire promotional calendar during one day of meetings. • Outside of the company, Moore is a member of NACS, CMA and the National Confectioners Association. She also volunteers in her community of Sycamore, Ill., through church and civic organizations.

• Nelsen is a zone director who oversees strategic retail sales. She leads a team of six national account executives, providing inspiration and support to help them achieve and exceed their sales targets. • Her national oversight spans some of the largest retailers in the convenience channel, including 7-Eleven Inc., Circle K Stores, Casey’s General Stores Inc., Kwik Trip Inc., ampm, ExtraMile Convenience Stores, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Sheetz Inc., Kum & Go LC, and Pilot Flying J. She also has distributor responsibility at the corporate level for McLane Co. Inc. • Nelsen is a Convenience & Foodservice (C&F) Women’s Mentoring Circle Leader for the fifth consecutive year, and is highly involved in diversity and inclusion affinity networks and the C&F Inclusion Council. She is also an active member in the Women’s Foodservice Forum for nine consecutive years.

• Patrick recently served as project manager for GetGo’s massive initiative to bring fuel procurement and distribution capabilities internal. Her learned expertise in fuel data, data flow, fuel procurement operations, fuel distribution, as well as industry relationships, prepared her to manage the daily fuel supply business with minimal experience. • The 11-year GetGo veteran earned the promotion to her current role last year. She was presented with the Chairman Entrepreneurial Leadership & Innovation Award in 2019, the Step-Up Award in 2018, and the Team Achievement Award in 2010. • Her nominator, Chief People Officer Kim Johnston, noted that Patrick’s rise in the fuel business helps to not only break but eliminate the glass ceiling of the industry.

• Peduzzi plays a pivotal role in supporting Altria’s 10-Year Vision to responsibly lead the transition of adult smokers to a non-combustible future. She does this through culture, analytics, and providing solutions that align with the goals of both Wawa Inc. and Altria’s operating companies. • In 2021, Peduzzi celebrated her five-year anniversary with Altria. Known as a collaborative team member, she had a significant impact on the design and execution of Altria’s Virtual 2021 National Sales Meeting. • Peduzzi is active in several of Altria’s employee resource groups (ERGs), including Mosaic — the organization’s LGBTQ network — and the Women in Sales Network (WSN). This year, she was elected to and currently holds a regional communications leadership position in the WSN.

• Pierce, a 13-year veteran at Maverik, has been instrumental in helping the retailer explore and pursue franchise opportunities. She successfully renegotiated Maverik’s relationship with Cinnabon to facilitate more favorable terms for both companies, and facilitated a franchise partnership with Godfather’s Pizza. • She helped build Maverik’s BonFire Grill MTO program from the ground up in 2015. Today, that program is featured in 170 locations, has delivered growth of 15 percent to 20 percent per year, and contributes a high margin and strong ROI. • Pierce serves as the construction layout lead for foodservice, contest lead, and kitchen production system lead. Outside of Maverik, she’s a member of the Cinnabon Franchise Advisory Group, and is involved with the Women’s Leadership Institute.

• Reeder has been a part of the Rutter’s team for five years, starting out as a store manager before quickly being promoted to her current role. She opened the store she currently manages, and assists at other stores when needed. She occasionally takes on the role of district supervisor when necessary. • During her tenure, Reeder has received a number of Rutter’s awards. In 2017, she received Rutter’s Inventory Management Award, which is presented to an individual who consistently manages inventory areas and shrink. In 2019, she received Rutter’s Special Recognition Award. And for three consecutive years, Reeder was a finalist for Rutter’s Store Manager of the Year Award in 2017, 2018 and 2019. • She is a mentor, training other managers within the organization.

• Ridout — who is responsible for 36 percent of Kwik Fill’s non-fuel retail sales — developed an open and transparent beer planogram process that has become “a gold standard” for her business partners. According to her nominator, Ridout is wholly data-driven to grow the category and does not rely on suppliers or wholesalers for assortment decisions. • Despite the overwhelming disruptions and challenges of COVID-19, including significant out-of-stocks and product allocations during the key summer months, Ridout grew the business in all of the categories she manages in 2020, and boosted beer volume by 10 percent. • She serves on the Nurture Outreach Team at Trinity United Methodist Church in Frewsburg, N.Y., and has served on its Pastoral Relations Committee. She was previously recognized as a Rising Star in CSNews’ 2016 TWIC program.

• Seifert spent 20 years with QuickChek Corp. in human resources before leaving the workforce to raise her family. She reentered the workplace in 2015, joining S&D Coffee & Tea as a field trainer and coffee specialist, working to implement and build continuity around QuickChek’s hot beverage program. • In 2017, she was promoted to a sales manager position, where she handled several large accounts, including Cumberland Farms. In November 2020, EG America, parent company of Cumberland Farms, recognized Seifert’s talent, work ethic and ability to accomplish initiatives and brought her onboard as a category manager. • According to her nominator Jennie Jones, senior vice president of convenience stores for S&D, Seifert’s ability to “reenter the workplace and raise three amazing young women all on her own truly makes her a rising star.”

MENTORS

• Antle is the only recruiting leader for all of Casey’s more than 2,200 stores. She assists division leaders in identifying and prioritizing specific recruiting project needs for the team, creating personalized recruitment campaigns, and coaching leaders through creative sourcing opportunities. • She was instrumental in offering guidance and leadership to ensure HR business partners understood hiring and retention challenges, and has been a sounding board for that team to ensure it is working together to design solutions that best meet the needs of store leaders. • Antle, who holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership, advocates for operators when systems, processes or deliverables are not meeting expectations, and does so in a professional manner. Several leaders across multiple divisions laud her as a mentor.

• Barbier is responsible for two business units of Circle K covering five states, which account for 17 percent of Molson Coors’ business with Circle K. In 2019, she was invited by the Circle K Gulf Coast Business Unit to speak at its annual Women’s Council meeting, recognizing her leadership as a female in the c-store industry. • According to Jim Hughes, vice president – convenience for Molson Coors, Barbier exudes confidence in a very approachable way, which makes her a great mentor for others. She has mentored several coworkers including new hires, seasoned employees and members of Molson Coors’ distributor sales teams. • During her career, Barbier has been named a National Chain Sales Executive of the Year with Molson Coors, a President’s Club winner with Coca-Cola, and recognized nationally by CSNews sister publication Progressive Grocer with Winn Dixie.

Platinum Sponsors:

WOMEN of the year

senior-level Leaders

Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer

Yesway

Senior Vice President, Sales & Operations

Murphy USA Inc.

Chief Marketing Officer

RaceTrac Petroleum Inc.

Chief Marketing Officer

7-Eleven Inc.

Head of Global Communications

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./ Circle K

Director, Women’s Wellness – Walgreens Team

Procter & Gamble

Atina Abraham

Brittany Bayley

Vice President of Marketing

Huck’s

Vice President of Marketing

Tri Star Energy

DAWN BOULANGER

Vice President of Sales Development, Analytics & Technology

Core-Mark International

Sandra D'Asaro

Vice President of Operations

Now Save Stores

SIMRAN DHALIWAL EMAUS

CEO

Dhaliwal Distributing dba ZARCO

Senior Director, Marketing & Communications

Eby-Brown Co. LLC

CHRISTINA DOKOS

MEGAN ELFERS

Vice President of Marketing

Casey’s General Stores Inc.

POLLY FLINN

President

GetGo Café + Market

Director of National Sales – QuikTrip

The Coca-Cola Co.

SUSAN FLYNN

Senior Director – San Francisco Region

Reynolds Marketing Services Co.

KRYSTAL FORBES

Director of Retail Operations

Duchess Convenience Stores

Vice President, Marketing, Insights & Loyalty

United Dairy Farmers Inc.

MARY JAMES

DENISE JENKINS

• James started in a cashier position with Duchess and over her 31-year career, has continually risen through the ranks. Before assuming her current role, she held positions including assistant manager, manager, auditor, and district manager. • Today, she is responsible for the daily operations of approximately 60 stores and has oversight of six district managers. She influences all facets of the business and plays an integral role in the growth, goals and future direction of Duchess. • James serves as a mentor to many corporate and retail-level employees. Her nominator pointed to the kindness, poise and true leadership that make her an outstanding senior-level employee, and called her a problem-solver who constantly goes out of her way to assist with issues.

Category Manager

ExtraMile Convenience Stores

THERESA KINDLEY

• Kindley is responsible for the dispensed and packaged non-alcoholic beverage categories, where she develops strategies and tactics to drive performance for the entire ExtraMile network. She oversees a range of marketing initiatives, including assortment, promotional planning, recommended pricing levels, merchandising, and supplier management. • She works with supplier partners, multiple ExtraMile convenience store departments, and directly with field personnel to execute on strategic initiatives. She also creates multiple types of programming in order to deliver maximum value to the franchisee network. • With more than 20 years of experience across multiple category management, analytics and pricing roles, Kindley excels in communication and problem-solving skills, according to her nominator. She is known for building strong industry relationships, being collaborative, and focusing on results.

Director of Sales – West

Tyson Foods

ANNE LIVERMORE

• Livermore is responsible for the execution of channel strategy, key customer engagement, brokering network oversight, and team metrics in the western half of the U.S. She draws upon her broad experience across multiple categories, ranging from retail snacking to foodservice, to drive success. • In addition to overseeing the personal and professional growth of her five-person team, Livermore takes an active role in all team member onboarding, industry events and customer events in support of everything convenience. • She has a passion for the complexity and diversity of the channel and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Her nominator called her a great motivator and a great leader.

National Account Manager

McLane Co. Inc.

TERESA PATAT

• Patat is responsible for a $7.5-million sales budget while working with divisional leadership and corporate merchandising to ensure quality service levels in all areas. She has built a mutually beneficial and strong partnership with RaceTrac Petroleum leadership while maintaining sales and profitability for McLane. • During her more than 25 years with the distributor, she has continually grown within the company as well as the supply chain community based on her desire for advancement and knowledge. • In 2020, Patat was involved in a months-long RFP process and was instrumental in the gathering and dissemination of data and preparing, managing and presenting the product price files in an accurate manner that was key to negotiations. Her knowledge and key relationships helped define McLane’s proposals going into the process.

• When she joined Couche-Tard three years ago, Poirier was one of the first female senior leaders on the finance team and quickly became a trailblazer. In 2020, she stepped up to her current role, becoming the first-ever female vice president on that team. • Recent accomplishments include leading the implementation of accounting-related processes in relation to Couche-Tard’s new supply chain partnership with Musket, establishing new dashboards for real estate projects, and coordinating the budgeting process for commercial optimization that links goals to Circle K’s vision and strategy. • In addition to serving as a mentor by shattering glass ceilings, Poirier is active in Couche-Tard’s Women’s Council and plays a critical role on its COVID Core Crisis Team. Both rely on her analytical ability for benchmarking and strategic development.

Senior Director, C-store Sales Planning

The Hershey Co.

Senior Director, C-store Sales Planning

The Hershey Co.

Senior Director, C-store Sales Planning

The Hershey Co.

ITG Brands

Boston Beer Co.

LAUREN QUAGLIA

President & CEO

KIM REED

• A 20-year accounting industry veteran and a licensed certified public accountant in the state of Georgia, Reynolds is responsible for leadership of RaceTrac’s consolidated and affiliate financial reporting accounts payables, fixed asset accounting, and financial systems and processes. • One of her significant business accomplishments was leading the implementation of Workday Financials, RaceTrac’s new enterprise resource planning system. • In addition to her accounting role, Reynolds was instrumental in developing the diversity and inclusion business resource group structure at RaceTrac. She was a founding member of EMBRACE, the business resource group for team members who identify as people of color. She currently serves as both the executive sponsor and steering committee lead.

MERLIX REYNOLDS

• As leader of the c-store national account team, Quaglia is responsible for all retailers national in scope and provides overall guidance to independent and regional chains. She works cross functionally with brand, trade marketing and category management teams to develop dynamic programming and strategies to win in the convenience class of trade. • Her duties also align closely with Boston Beer’s local sales divisions, and she spearheads the conversation around the channel to drive both execution and focus. • According to her nominator, Quaglia has championed the convenience channel for Boston Beer and elevated its capabilities across many different facets. She manages and motivates her team, speaks to the importance of the channel with senior leadership, and helps build sales and marketing efforts to drive results.

RaceTracPetroleum Inc.

Executive Director of Accounting

Director of Store Operations

Thorntons

TONYA ROBINSON

• Robinson leads a diverse team of region managers who operate stores in four states. Her team also includes a division sales manager and division foodservice manager. • Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and store impacts from social unrest in local communities, Robinson recently delivered record results with the most profitable EBITDARI year in the history of Thorntons. • Under Robinson’s leadership, her division delivered to budget on fuel gross profit and c-store gross profit while continuing to grow her food business by adding 36 new kitchens, managing new store growth, and completely renovating all stores in the Nashville region.

StrasGlobal

President

EVA STRASBURGER

Senior Account Manager

Altria Group Distribution Co.

SARA SECONDI

• Secondi has spent the first 11 years of her career advancing in a variety of roles within the Northeast Sales Region for Altria Group Distribution Co. She currently works as a senior account manager, leading the strategic direction of Altria’s operating companies for EG America. • She led her account through a major acquisition and is progressing its performance of Altria’s brand portfolio in the digital space and growth product segment. Secondi devises and develops creative solutions for new and emerging categories together with the EG America Tobacco Leadership Team. • Her success has been driven by her work ethic, ability to form strong business partnerships, and knowledge of the industry. She is an active member of the Network of Executive Women and holds a leadership role within Altria’s Northeast Region Women in Sales Network.

• Stone has responsibilities for the entire c-store channel at Mondelez that include building long-term strategic shopper marketing plans, partnering with marketing teams to create robust customer-level plans, and budget oversight for the entire channel. • In 2020, she created a summer scale event at 7-Eleven Inc., anchored in Mondelez’s exclusive Sour Patch Kids Red/White/Blue pack, and created a surround-sound event at Wawa Inc., anchored in company’s first branded beverage execution during the retailer’s summer Siptopia event. • At Sheetz Inc., Stone helped create the first-ever Sour Patch Kids Beverage & Candy Mega Event, anchored in key shopper marketing elements such as social and digital activation and cross-category rewards offers to create a unique customer experience, both in-store and out-of-store.

Customer Director, C-store Shopper Marketing

Mondelez International Inc.

MINDY STONE

SIVA SURKUNALINGAM

Vice President, IT Strategy & Governance

7-Eleven Inc.

• Surkunalingam leads 7-Eleven’s technology strategy, including IT compliance, vendor management, change management, IT financial management, Agile Center of Excellence, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Center of Excellence, and Data Engineering. • In 2020, she was promoted to her current role, which made her the first minority female vice president of the 7-Eleven IT Team, and she chartered the 7-Eleven IT department’s Women in Technology group to advocate for diversity at all levels of the organization. • Surkunalingam has been recognized as a 7-Eleven High Impact Leader through the Thayer Leadership Development Group–West Point, and is a cohort graduate of the Women’s Leadership Institute through the Texas Women’s Foundation.

ASHLEY CHAMBERS Food Operations Project Manager

Thorntons

KATIE CUNNINGHAM Chain Director

FIFCO USA

Heather Davis Director of Foodservice

Parker’s

STEPHANIE FERGUSON Director, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance

United Pacific

SARAH GARCIA Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager

Casey’s General Stores Inc.

JENNIFER GURDOCK National Convenience Store Operations Manager

The Hershey Co.

SARA HILLSTROM Senior Director, Industry Relations

Anheuser-Busch (formerly)

KIM JENKS Category Manager

Kwik Trip Inc.

Jocelyn Miller Manager of Operations – Workforce Management

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores

Cate Moore Strategic Insights Assistant Manager

Eby-Brown Co. LLC

Nicole Nelsen Director of Strategic Retailer Sales

General Mills Convenience

Shannon Patrick Senior Manager of Fuel Supply & Distribution

GetGo Café+Market

KAYLIE PEDUZZI Lead Operations Specialist, Wawa Account Team

Altria Group Distribution Co.

Randi Reeder Fill-In District Supervisor & Store Manager

Rutter’s

JESSICA PIERCE Category Manager

Maverik Inc.

MARY RIDOUT Merchandise Manager

United Refining Co./ Kwik Fill

COLLEEN SEIFERT Category Manager

EG America/Cumberland Farms

Sara Shankman Senior Customer Marketing Manager – Speedway & QuikTrip

The Coca-Cola Co.

• Shankman partnered with Speedway to develop a custom, evergreen digital game that lives within the retailer’s mobile app. After only four months of activation, the game delivered 1.6 million registrations, 867,000 game plays, and a 54 percent conversion from registration to in-store purchase. • As a trusted partner to QuikTrip Corp. (QT), Shankman secured a lead role in helping the Tulsa, Okla.-based operator with its food program. She built an eight-month-long marketing program, grounded in the QT shopper, to drive customers to its stores. • Shankman has been the recipient of multiple accolades, including the Best of the Best Award, Best of the Best Shopper Marketing – Hydration Category, Supplier of the Year Award, and Best Ice-Cold Single Service Experience.

• Bacon is on a continual quest to learn and grow. Starting with graduating from high school early and earning a business degree from the University of Texas, she also earned an Executive MBA from the University of Houston, went to law school for a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tennessee’s College of Law, and owned four Marble Slab Creamery franchise locations. Bacon utilizes all of this experience in her current role as senior vice president of sales and operations at Murphy USA Inc., the El Dorado, Ark.-based operator of 1,500 locations in 25 states with more than $11 billion in revenue. • Her favorite part of the job is all the moving parts and pieces of running a business, especially leading teams, and all the challenges that come along with it. She gets “energized” by bringing people from different backgrounds and experiences together to solve challenges. In the past three years at Murphy USA, she has overseen and supported the promotion of 19 team members and development moves from under her umbrella. • “When the group helps bring solutions to those issues and then sees the impact of their decisions on people and processes within a business, it’s almost magical,” Bacon said.

• Jenkins oversees brand marketing strategy, innovation pipeline and execution for United Dairy Farmers’ (UDF) retail, wholesale and CPG manufacturing businesses, from c-stores and retail fuel to multiple ice cream brands and fresh bakery products. • She is a successful brand-builder who directed private brands marketing for 7-Eleven and now leads UDF’s private brands and branded ice cream product lines. During her previous advertising career, she launched 11 new products for other companies. • Jenkins has led numerous initiatives for UDF, including the launch of the plant-based product line Homemade Brand Dairy Free, and the brand design and introduction of Hi-Five, a new guest experience initiative. Her current priority is evolving the U-Drive retail loyalty program to be best-in-class, including a new customized mobile platform and an upcoming U-Drive relaunch that will introduce new ways to customize offers and enable savings on gasoline and in-store merchandise.

• Reed is responsible for the U.S. arm of Imperial Brands and oversees a more than $3-billion business, its largest market. In her previous role as executive vice president of sales, she designed and oversaw a comprehensive sales transformation strategy that encompassed ITG Brands’ largest-ever external recruitment for field sales. • Other achievements include building strong national accounts and customer trade marketing teams, as well as developing new capabilities for joint business planning, selling fundamentals and category management, resulting in new category captainships. She delivered top sustainable share results as a category leader across the tobacco portfolio. • Reed is a champion for a diverse and inclusive culture and has personally made it an imperative to hire the best diverse talent. The most recent sales transformation at ITG Brands brought on 50 percent of hires that are diverse.

• Sheetz Mandel’s primary responsibilities include formalizing the company’s strategic-planning processes, forging new working relationships and synergies across the organization, and establishing greater transparency and accountability for those carrying out the company’s strategy. • She is directly responsible for leading Sheetz’s strategy, information technology and innovation teams, with nearly 200 employees across the organization. She also provides leadership to the newly formed Sheetz Innovation Incubator, located in Pittsburgh. • Sheetz Mandel helped launch the Sheetz Café project, which is an innovation concept that reimagines the Sheetz experience without gas.

Vice President of Strategy & Information Technology

Sheetz Inc.

EMILY SHEETZ MANDEL

• With 30 years of experience in global retail, Strasburger continues to explore ways to help businesses and consumers. As president of StrasGlobal, she is involved with its retail operations, consulting businesses and new projects, including developing Resources for Retailers to provide best-in-industry programs to small retailers. In January 2020, she saw the impact of COVID-19 outside the U.S. and rallied StrasGlobal to take action with a COVID-19 Response Plan that was shared with the industry. • As CEO of Compliance Safe, Strasburger oversees the award-winning SaaS program that simplifies document management and alerts users to renew deadlines. • Strasburger also co-founded The Vision Group, an organization of forward-thinking leaders who anticipate disruption and share ideas to create new initiatives. She supports programs in education, medical care, historical preservation and the arts, as well.

• Flynn is responsible for the joint business planning process with QuikTrip, which includes managing P&L for the full portfolio of Coca-Cola brands. She oversees all routes to market, including bottle and can sales, dispensed and warehouse sales. Under her guidance, 2020 saw strong results despite a tough environment. • She is known to provide strong leadership to both her direct team and cross-functional partners, ensuring that team members are empowered to take ownership in making decisions to drive the business forward and achieve common objectives. Her nominator described her team leadership during challenging times as “fantastic.” • Flynn also leads the Folds of Honor relationship with QuikTrip and developed programming that has resulted in more than $2.2 million in donations to the nonprofit organization that helps families of those who have fallen in combat.

• Signorelli successfully launched product extensions in every category last year, and made critical space allocation changes to prepare for long-term sustainable growth. Most notably, she established a consolidated nicotine pouch subcategory, which quickly exceeded sales targets and is in the top quartile of all c-stores in RaceTrac’s respective markets. • Passionate about building plans with store teams in mind, Signorelli can be found testing different options in stores and getting feedback from operations ahead of any change. Her cross-functional approach, strong planning and analytical skills are key traits that make her an excellent category manager, her nominator noted. • Outside of the office, she is heavily involved in volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity, and is a civic fellow with Hands On Atlanta.

Michelle Signorelli OTP Category Manager

RaceTrac Petroleum Inc.

• Splawn is known for her collaboration among RAI’s internal teams and brands to assist in building effective plans and programs. For instance, she spearheaded packaging initiatives and built the Revel to Velo lozenges migration and go-to-market strategies. • She also worked cross-functionally between field trade marketing, the Vuse brand and multiple departments internally to support Vuse strategy and initiatives for commercial impact. • According to her nominator, RAI Senior Director of External Relations Matt Domingo, Splawn always works with a customer-centric mindset to build mutually beneficial plans that deliver commercial business results, and has a willingness to step up to mentor, coach and lead others in their personal and professional development.

Kate Splawn Account Executive

Reynolds American Inc.

• Vonder Haar is an avid advocate and educator, especially in the categories of vape, CBD and cannabis. She appeared as an industry expert at NACS’ 2019 Cannabis Pop-Up and presented at the first NACS Show cannabis forum. • She spearheaded iSee’s shift to virtual formats last year, helping the company’s booth go on to become one of the most visited at the 2020 NACS Show. As a three-star NACSPAC member, she actively participates in advocacy events and supports the NACS Foundation by volunteering her time and services. • As a journalist, Vonder Haar has covered many of the industry’s most pressing issues, including CBD as a wellness solution; how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the tobacco, OTP, CBD and beverage categories; and Canada’s experience with marijuana legalization.

Melissa Vonder Haar Marketing Director

iSee Store Innovations

• Walker has played an essential role in growing GreenPrint from the ground up and acts as the primary strategist leading branded sustainability programs for four global and U.S.-based retailers and fleet clients. Through her leadership, GreenPrint’s influence has spanned the globe and its clients have seen increasing volume sales as a result. • She works closely with GreenPrint’s data analysis team to ensure client programs are yielding impressive and worthwhile results. GreenPrint is currently on track to reach its goal of offsetting 3 million tons of CO2 in 2021, the emissions equivalent of more than 500,000 homes’ electricity use for a year. • Walker has received honors from several of GreenPrint’s nonprofit partners, including Arenac Conservation District, Onondaga Earth Corps, Tucson Clean & Beautiful, and GROW Enrichment.

Hannah Walker Partner Solutions Manager

GreenPrint

• Wray oversees the commissions and financial services category. Throughout her tenure, she has spearheaded the expansion of the commissions category to offer self-service solutions, including integrating cryptocurrency kiosks, parcel lockers, key duplication services, and garment-cleaning lockers, among others. As a result, 7-Eleven has become the leading destination of any retail channel for the coveted new mover demographic. • She pioneered Digital Currency Machines (DCM) in the c-store channel by leading 7-Eleven to be the first c-store retailer to install bidirectional DCMs where customers can both buy and sell bitcoin and other digital currencies. • Wray holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in global commerce from Lynchburg College, and is a member of the Network of Executive Women.

Anahi Wray Senior Category Manager

7-Eleven Inc.

Tara Antle Manager, Talent Acquisition

Casey’s General Stores Inc.

Donna Barbier Senior Chain Sales Executive

Molson Coors Beverage Co.

• Beltran has influence and oversight of all training activities for Chevron Stations Inc. (CSI). During her career, she has personally mentored and promoted dozens of employees, including one company-owned, company-operated (COCO) business consultant; two pricebook agents; one area trainer; one CSI Development Program temp; three designated operators; more than 30 assistant managers; and 15 station managers. • She collaborates with all internal and external organizations to develop training content and uses her 25 years of field experience to keep training relevant to station employees. In addition to her core training activities, she has implemented leadership training for COCO business consultants to develop and improve their leadership skills. • Beltran plays a major role in transforming CSI into a more diverse workforce, partnering with an accredited organization to provide employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.

Julie Beltran Training Specialist

Chevron USA Inc.

• Gibson supports RaceTrac’s West Florida regional team members, spanning 90 stores. Her main objective is to provide support with staffing, in addition to supporting recruiters and trainers and the operations team with any employee-related initiatives, such as new hire orientation and any other training initiatives. • RaceTrac Communications Coordinator Lauryn Greer calls Gibson a “go-getter,” noting that “Megan is naturally motivated by helping others and guiding them through their own problem solving. She is a selfless leader and always puts others first.” • During her time with the retailer’s West Florida regional office, Gibson has been selected as the Contagious Leader twice.

Megan Gibson Human Resources Business Partner

RaceTrac Petroleum Inc.

• Hall is charged with the day-to-day operations of 10 Coen Markets locations and the Coen Tire business, including budgetary and fiscal responsibility. She has topped all districts in revenue growth and expense control. • Leading the way in execution for many years — and only ramping up her efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic — Hall drove double-digit increases in profitability and expense control, while keeping her stores at a high standard and growing sales in more than half of the locations she oversees despite transactions being down nearly 20 percent in the industry during the pandemic. • Before becoming district manager, Hall was a store manager in the industry, and a bar owner before that. She’s been in retail leadership for more than 20 years.

Lori Hall District Manager

Coen Markets

• This year, Jackson will celebrate 11 years with Couche-Tard. Formerly the manager of the company’s first all-women construction team, she was recently promoted to her current role because of her project management and experience in in-store layout, equipment and facilities. • In addition to overseeing 100-plus store remodels and facilitating the opening of 29 new-to-industry sites, Jackson led numerous rollout projects, such as the Simply Great Coffee, Real Hot Dog and Polar Pop programs. She was also responsible for overseeing the North American rollouts of the Fresh Food, Fast and Digital Food Safety programs. • Jackson is the regional lead for the ACT Women’s Council, an active member of the ACT Disability Inclusion business resource group, and volunteers with a shelter for women and children.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

Beka Jackson Director, Foodservice Project Management

Myra Kressner Founder & President

Kressner Strategy Group

• Kressner has facilitated strategic engagement for suppliers and retailers in the consumable retail industries for more than 30 years. • In 2016, she founded Kressner Strategy Group, where she serves as an advisor to C-suite, marketing and operations management, and develops and oversees strategic engagement and business development initiatives. Most recently, in 2020, she cofounded The Vision Group for cross-channel discussion of disruptive solutions. • Kressner is a SUNY New Paltz Foundation board member and a frequent speaker at the SUNY New Paltz Women’s Leadership Summit. In 2018, she created the Kressner Family Autism Spectrum Program and endowment. Kressner also serves as marketing director of the nonprofit Theatre by the Bay NY.

• Lane is Parker’s go-to person to handle special projects with construction and environmental components. She provides executive-level support to the company’s operations, marketing and maintenance teams on a daily basis, and serves as a dedicated mentor to district managers. • Drawing on nearly 40 years of experience in the c-store industry, Lane considers mentoring team members her biggest and most important role at Parker’s. She takes new district managers under her wing and helps them become the best they can be, both as individuals and Parker’s professionals. • Last year, Parker’s founder and CEO Greg Parker presented Lane with the 2020 Terri Heidmann Leadership Award. She was also previously honored as a Senior-Level Leader in CSNews’ inaugural TWIC class in 2014.

Amy Lane Senior Vice President, Special Projects

Parker’s

• Montgomery plays an integral role in all of Applied Data Corp.’s (ADC) thought leadership, speaking engagements, product innovation, and relationships within the convenience store industry. • Since graduating from the University of Georgia, Montgomery has focused on technology and software sales. At ADC, she’s had the opportunity to drive strategies for the nation’s largest convenience foodservice retailers. • Montgomery — who was recently promoted to manage the Strategic Account Team at ADC — was honored as a Rising Star in CSNews’ 2020 TWIC program. She was also honored as ADC’s Employee of the Quarter during the fourth quarter of 2020, and was recognized by the company as the top sales representative of 2020.

Sarah Montgomery Director of Strategic Account Executives

Applied Data Corp.

Cynthia West Restaurant Manager

Rutter’s

• West effectively manages the operation of a high-volume Rutter’s convenience store restaurant by planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and leading others to maximize profitability and achieve company goals. She is a training mentor for all of Rutter’s restaurant managers. • According to her nominator, Rutter’s Vice President of Operations Jere Matthews, West is a true team player, always willing to assist other stores in any way she can. “Her competitive nature drives her team to be better as a direct result of herself,” he said. • West, who has been a part of the Rutter’s team for six years, was a finalist for Rutter’s Team Member of the Year award in 2018.

• Wiles is a marketing and sales specialist with 18 years of extensive corporate experience working on behalf of some of the world’s most prestigious and innovative brands, including Anheuser- Busch and Arby’s. She joined JUUL Labs in 2018 as key account manager before being promoted to her current role. • She is a founding member of JUUL’s first employee resource group (ERG) and serves as co-chair of the Women’s Leadership ERG. Beyond her responsibilities in her sales role, she has fostered countless connections to grow the careers of peer women. • Her nominator notes: “Elizabeth understands the value of fostering cross-functional relationships, internally at our company, as well as externally with wholesalers. She completely transformed the business relationship and rapport JUUL Labs now has with its distributor partners and chain customers.”

Elizabeth Wiles Sales Director

JUUL Labs

Vice President, Business Process Improvement & Robotics

Pilot Flying J

MEGHANN ERHART

• Since joining Pilot in 2007, Erhart has overseen key strategic initiatives in sales, technology, trucking, logistics, and guest services. She is a proven leader with deep experience at the highest levels of the industry, her nominator noted. With a business focus, she currently leads the quality assurance, robotics process automation, and guest services teams, who are dedicated to helping the company grow its technology presence through efficiencies, automation, and exceptional customer service. • In 2020, Erhart accepted a new role focused on boosting productivity and profitability through technology-driven business process improvement, quality assurance, and legacy platform reengineering. In less than a year, she created a roadmap with an “optimize, improve, automate” agenda, allowing the company to pursue an aggressive transformation agenda. • Erhart is lauded for being an innovator, strategist and thought leader, all while leading with integrity, humility and accountability.

Director of Commissary Operations

CEFCO Convenience Stores

ELIZABETH HOFFER

• Hoffer joined CEFCO in 2020 to design and implement the chain’s multimillion-dollar commissary and warehouse facility. Based on her extensive industry knowledge and experience, she has tremendous influence on the retailer’s overall foodservice business strategy and direction, ensuring that all decisions are made from both a people and profitability standpoint. • Her nominator described her as “one of the most ambitious people that I have ever met” and someone who does not believe in the words “cannot be done.” • Known as a natural leader who serves as a mentor within the organization, Hoffer seeks to consistently challenge thinking, and help people grow personally and professionally. She also has a passion for people with special needs and won the 2018 Employer of the Year Award with Goodwill Industries for Job Placement for People with Barriers.

Founder & CEO

The Goods Mart

RACHEL KRUPA

• Krupa opened The Goods Mart — which carries nothing but better-for-you, accessible and socially conscious goods — after being inspired to inspire others. She curates and builds relationships with all the brands in the store, hand-selects every product, manages the finances, and handles community outreach, e-commerce, marketing and public relations. • She expanded the store’s influence into humanitarian realms. During the pandemic, she created The Surprise Snack Box campaign, enabling people to donate care packages to healthcare workers. She also created the Black Founded Snack Box, giving customers the option to donate to the Black Women’s Blueprint organization, and has pledged 15 percent of The Goods Mart’s shelf space to Black-owned brands. • In addition to leading The Goods Mart, Krupa has launched numerous brands that share a common ethos of mindful practices and a mission to do better.

Senior Director, C-store Sales Planning

The Hershey Co.

Senior Director, C-store Sales Planning

The Hershey Co.

Senior Director, C-store Sales Planning

The Hershey Co.

Senior Director, C-store Sales Planning

The Hershey Co.

LISA MEYER

• Meyer has oversight of the entire small-format business at Hershey. Over her 30 years with the company, she has been instrumental in helping build the c-store division. • Throughout her career, she has achieved progressively greater leadership roles. According to her nominator, Meyer is well respected by the entire executive team for her many contributions to the organization. • She is active in numerous industry organizations, such as NACS and the Network of Executive Women, as well as the Hershey Project Fellowship with the Milton Hershey School. She is also a leader in the Women’s Mentoring Program, a part of Hershey’s business resource groups.

Director of Marketing

OnCue Marketing

ADRIENE ROBINS

• In her 19 years with OnCue, Robins has taken on many roles, making her uniquely equipped to oversee the operator’s adoption of Kickback Points rewards, Zenput task management systems, Market Link, Market Basket, and the beginning stages of the OnCue app — all of which have come about in the last two years. • A point of pride for Robins is OnCue’s graphics department, which she directs. Starting with one person laminating signs in the office, the team now has four full-time graphic designers and often a college intern to assist. • In spite of recent challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, she fostered quick innovation, including being able to start delivery services and curbside pickup in an astonishing two-week window after the shutdowns began.

Compliance Safe Inc.

CEO

Vice President, Global Finance & Supply Chain Optimization

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

Vice President, Global Finance & Supply Chain Optimization

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

Vice President, Global Finance & Supply Chain Optimization

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

Vice President, Global Finance & Supply Chain Optimization

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

SUZANNE POIRIER

National Channel Manager – Convenience

• Edmiston and her team develop and employ the space planning strategy related to category merchandising, testing and space utilization. Collectively, they monitor merchandising trends through partnerships with key vendors, competitive marketplace tours and industry trade shows, while overseeing category planograms. • In 2019, Edmiston was named the Wings of Excellence Award Winner for her work on the launch of Wawa Coffee Stout. The December 2018 release received more than 56 million impressions and had people driving from more than 100 miles away for the launch at Wawa’s first Pennsylvania store to sell alcoholic beverages. • Other cross-functional projects that Edmiston has acted as lead on include the adoption of category captains on key businesses, and increasing Wawa Rewards membership through tobacco programming.

LESLIE EDMISTON Manager, Category Space & Analysis

Wawa Inc.

• Accountable for implementing policies and systems, Herrera Enriquez has played a critical role in high-level project teams at Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT), including the implementation of two operational development programs for store and market managers. • Her nominator noted that Herrera Enriquez believes in recognizing internal talent. ACT’s executive team rewarded her business unit for having the lowest turnover percent in North America. She was also recognized as an ACT Trailblazer, highlighting her potential for future growth and position as a role model to Hispanic women within the company. • Throughout the years, she has proved to be a reliable, self-motivated and dedicated team member. When asked to use one word to describe her, George Wilkins, vice president of the West Coast Business Unit, said it best: “Driven.”

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

Cynthia Herrera Enriquez Regional Director of Operations, West Coast Business Unit

• Since being promoted to her current role in 2018, Javalera’s primary responsibility is to ensure ExtraMile’s pricebook administrators continue to provide franchise value and excellent customer service, while setting up and maintaining the ExtraMile pricebook for convenience stores across six states. • She collaborates with other support groups to proactively identify process improvements, resolve outstanding issues, and support special projects and initiatives. She is currently helping to build a pricebook for a new back-office system. • With 25 years of industry experience, Javalera has held various roles with increased responsibility, including manager; business consultant for 11 company-operated, company- owned stores (COCO); and senior pricebook administrator.

LORENA JAVALERA Pricebook Lead

ExtraMile Convenience Stores

• Renfro helped launch Yesway’s private brand products, elevated its loyalty program to include fuel rewards and incentives, and introduced innovations to the cooler doors in stores across nine states. She has also successfully negotiated major contracts, launched scan-based programs, and delivered consistent sales increases in her categories year over year, including packaged beverages, dairy and packaged bakery. • According to Yesway’s Chief Marketing Officer Derek Gaskins, Renfro is known for being a strong and analytical negotiator, and supplier partners have high regard for her ability to drive sales and consumer engagement through building a strong rapport with valuable brands. • Renfro was previously recognized as a Rising Star in CSNews’ 2019 TWIC program, and is part of the leadership council for the National Advisory Group.

DANA RENFRO Category Manager

Yesway

Maverik Inc.

Senior Director of Category Management

LINDY SMITH

• Smith leads strategic direction for product categories and the vendor supply chain to grow profit and margin at Maverik Inc. She’s responsible for center store profit and loss accountability for 362 store locations across 11 western states, while overseeing a team of nine category managers and associate category managers. • She has the keen ability to analyze current infrastructure and make changes to increase efficiencies. She brings years of previous experience in the CPG industry to her role, including category management at Family Express, Murphy USA and Buc-ee’s. • Smith takes a proactive and forward-thinking approach to making sound business decisions and is extremely thorough in her analysis. She makes deliberate decisions that drive profit while meeting consumer expectations.

After a difficult year navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the convenience store industry is eager to recognize the achievements of its team members. Convenience Store News’ eighth-annual Top Women in Convenience (TWIC) awards — presented Oct. 6 in Chicago, against the backdrop of the 2021 NACS Show — celebrated a record class of 74 female leaders.

As the first and only c-store industry program that recognizes the integral role women play in convenience retailing, TWIC each year celebrates individuals for outstanding contributions to their companies and the industry at large. Honorees include a diverse array of female directors, executives, managers and up-and-comers working for leading c-store retailers, distributors, and supplier companies.

Celebrating the 2021

TOP

The 2021 Top Women in Convenience are:

Platinum Sponsor:

GOLD Sponsors:

SilVER Sponsors: