IDDBA announces ‘Champions of Change’ honorees

The International Dairy, Deli, Bakery Association is honoring 34 industry leaders with the 2023 Champions of Change award, to be presented at the group’s convention next month in Anaheim, California.

The award honors three groups of fresh food leaders: champion department managers, emerging champions and legendary champions, all of whom have been recognized for advancing their grocery departments and contributing to the industry.

Champion department managers are high performing and results oriented; an emerging champion is an “inspirational” professional from retail, supplier or service industries who makes a difference through their leadership; and a legendary champion is a senior-level business leader who consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership, dynamic vision, inventive strategic direction and innovative solution-building, IDDBA said.

“IDDBA’s mission and vision are driven by connecting buyers and sellers of product,” IDDBA VP of Marketing Whitney Atkins said. “The Champions of Change recognition allows the association to recognize the people from our member companies who influence the growth and innovation of our industry. We look forward to recognizing the IDDBA Champions of Change Class of 2023 on center stage in Anaheim.”

Winsight Grocery Business will publish detailed information about each winner in a special section on June 1.

Here’s the full list of IDDBA’s 2023 Champions of Change winners:

Janell Schleeper

Category Manager, Bakery, Schnuck Markets Inc.

Sarah Long

Director of Meals, Digital Marketplace Strategy, Albertsons Inc.

Bill Sanders

Bakery Direction National Merchandising, Albertsons Companies

Ryan Adams

Director ReadyMeals Operations, Albertsons Companies

David Stachofsky

Director Retail Operations Execution, Deli Food Service, Albertsons Companies

Chris Wilson

Director of Culinary Innovation, Albertsons Companies

Andrea Wright

Director Strategic Programs, Meals Transformation, Albertsons Companies

Jerry Chambers

Operations Executional Manager, Deli Food Service, Albertsons Companies

Jimmie Winn

Technical Product Support, Hillphoenix

Janet Kamys

Director Item Management, Albertsons Companies

Lindsay Matamoros

Business Development Manager Bakery, H-E-B

Joshua Wakelin

Discount Bakery Director, Loblaw Companies Limited

Jeff Shearer

Retail Sales Manager, Mandi Foods, Inc.

Felix Coronado

Technical Sales Specialist, Hussmann Corporation

Darcy Martin

Midwest Regional Sales Manager, David’s Cookies

Karen Lee

Category Merchant, Giant Eagle

Dan Hilgenberg

Bakery Director, Sales and Merchandising, Associated Food Stores

Brian Freeman

Category Business Manager Deli Specialty Cheese, Tops Markets

Maryann Guczek-Sawyer

Manager of Fresh Merchandising, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc.

Kelsie Parsons

Category Manager, Deli Cheese, Sobeys

Andy DeCou

Category Manager, Deli, Schnuck Markets, Inc.

Jean Stevens

Director of Sales, Volpi Foods

Michelle Ihnot

Director of Sales Central Region, UNFI

Tony Amries

Director, Bakery Merchandising, UNFI

Lindsey Lucas

Central Bakery Director, Dorothy Lane Market

Alicia Foster

Bakery Manager, Schnucks Harvester

Jill Johnson

Sr. Category Manager, Specialty, UNFI

Ashley Lambkin

Bakery Manager, Schnucks Des Peres

Gary DeLeon

Senior Director ReadyMeals Marketplace Strategies, Albertsons Companies

Rob Johnson

President/Owner, Mid South Sales and Service

Josh Allen

Founder, Companion Baking

Suzanne Fanning

Senior Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin

Ellen Klegstad

Sales Manager Key Accounts, UNFI

Brandon Williams

Vice President Coffee, Bakery & Food Service, Hy-Vee