Industry Leaders Honored in Orlando

By
-
6
Crystal Grossi, Kimberly Jackson, Leigh Ball, Jessica Derkacz, Kristen Kozminski, Patty Kuehn, Autumn Lossing, Laura Johnson, Dawn Bredeweg, Sarah Mouw, Deann Wright, Sara Putcha, and Kathy Hall gather for a photo in Orlando in early November 2024. Courtesy photo.

Eleven local women have been recognized as some of the best and brightest in their industry, earning spots on Progressive Grocer’s prestigious “Top Women in Grocery” list for 2024. Chosen from a pool of more than 1,150 nominees, these exceptional leaders from SpartanNash were celebrated for their contributions in diverse areas, including talent development, engineering, merchandising, and social responsibility.

This recognition comes on the heels of SpartanNash’s recent acknowledgment as an ATHENA Awards finalist by the Grand Rapids Chamber, further highlighting the company’s dedication to empowering women and fostering leadership at all levels.

The honorees were formally celebrated at Progressive Grocer’s Grocery Impact Event in Orlando, Florida earlier this month, where industry leaders gathered to discuss trends, share insights, and honor the women who are shaping the future of the grocery business.

Among the SpartanNash honorees were Deann Wright, Senior Director of Talent Development and DEIB, who was recognized for her leadership in diversity and inclusion. Wright has been instrumental in fostering an inclusive culture at SpartanNash, overseeing programs that support diverse talent and creating opportunities for the company’s 17,000 associates. Jessica Derkacz, Senior Manager of Industrial Engineering, was acknowledged for her contributions to improving operational efficiency across SpartanNash’s 19 distribution centers, where her efforts have helped streamline productivity. Sarah Putcha, IT Director of Governance and Project Management, earned recognition for her work advancing women in technology. Through her leadership at SpartanNash and her involvement with the Michigan Council of Women in Technology, Putcha has worked to create pathways for women to thrive in a male-dominated field.

Last, but certainly not least is Dawn Bredeweg, Manager of Charitable Giving, who was celebrated for her dedication to community support, particularly through her role in raising funds for disaster relief and other charitable initiatives. Over her more than 36 years with the company, Bredeweg has been instrumental in directing philanthropic initiatives that significantly benefit Grand Rapids. Notably, during the water main break earlier this year when she coordinated the donation of six truckloads of bottled water to affected residents.

Beyond crisis response, Dawn oversees programs that have channeled more than $13 million to nonprofit partners, supporting local food banks, veterans and educational initiatives. She also launched SpartanNash’s first Associate Hardship Fund, providing immediate aid to Associates in need. Additionally, Dawn leads SpartanNash’s annual Helping Hands Day, which this year saw nearly 700 associates volunteering to pack 15,000 meal boxes and 5,000 toiletry kits for disaster relief, resulting in over 500,000 meals donated.

These women, along with other women at SpartanNash, are playing a key role in shaping its future and their communities, reflecting a broad range of skills and expertise.

Facebook Comments

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR