IDDBA announces ‘Champions of Change’ honorees
The International Dairy, Deli, Bakery Association is putting the spotlight on 34 industry leaders who are helping to advance grocery fresh food departments. Awards will be given out at the IDDBA conference on June 4 in Anaheim, California.
May 15, 2023
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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