2025's Most Influential Women in the Grocery Sector: Continually Blossoming

2025's Most Influential Women in the Grocery Sector: Continually Blossoming

Progressive Grocer Honours Top Women in Grocery for 2025

In a celebration of female leadership and achievement in the retail food industry, Progressive Grocer has named its Top Women in Grocery (TWIG) honorees for 2025. These women, hailing from various sectors of the industry, have demonstrated exceptional leadership, outstanding achievements, and significant contributions to their communities.

Among the honourees are three associates from Harris Teeter, a Kroger subsidiary. Sheronda Irick, Store Manager at Harris Teeter Store #118 in Holly Springs, North Carolina, and Hope Starrett, Store Manager at Harris Teeter Store #357 in Greenville, South Carolina, were recognised for their excellence as store managers leading teams and operations in important regional markets. Anisha Patel, Pharmacy Operations Manager at Harris Teeter, was honoured as a Rising Star for her innovative and effective pharmacy operations management.

Other TWIG honourees include Carolee Colter from Columinate, Liz Di Maria, Vice President, InsightsLab, and Rosemary Dumala, Director of Sales, Grocery at Wakefern. These women were acknowledged for their impactful roles in insights and sales leadership within major grocery organisations.

The TWIG program annually celebrates women who drive success and inspire their teams while positively impacting their communities within the grocery industry. This year's honourees have inspiring stories of resilience, growth, and triumph over adversity. Many of these women have also helped others to bloom as well.

Harris Teeter highlighted the three associates’ valuable role in their company’s success specifically. The recognised women exemplify leadership in store management, pharmacy, sales, and insights that advance grocery retailing and community engagement. Progressive Grocer plans to further feature these winners in their February 2026 print and digital issues as well as podcasts and social media to promote their achievements and provide networking opportunities.

Some TWIGs have forged into areas with fewer female leaders, like IT, finance, and warehouse logistics. Many TWIGs have chosen to excel in fields considered more traditional for women in business, such as marketing, public relations, human resources. Despite hectic schedules and family obligations, these women have found time to give back to their communities in various ways.

Progressive Grocer's TWIG event and podcast are platforms for recognising and celebrating the achievements of women in the grocery industry. The annual Grocery Impact event in November will celebrate the TWIG honourees, and Whole Foods Market is one of the retail trailblazers recognised by TWIG.

The 76th Consumer Expenditures Study reveals that grocery shoppers are focusing more on quality as sticker shock subsides. With a growing emphasis on quality, the TWIG honourees' commitment to excellence and community engagement is more important than ever.

Lipton Teas is one of the CPG trailblazers recognised by TWIG, showcasing the industry's dedication to progress and innovation. The Progressive Grocer's Top 100 list of top food and consumables retailers in North America for 2025 has also been released, highlighting the industry's continued growth and evolution.

In conclusion, the TWIG honourees for 2025 are a testament to the power of female leadership and the positive impact it can have on the retail food industry and the communities it serves. These women's achievements serve as an inspiration for future generations of leaders and a reminder of the importance of celebrating and supporting women in business.

[1] Progressive Grocer [2] TWIG Awards [3] TWIG Event [4] TWIG Honourees

1. Beyond their contributions to grocery retailing, some TWIG honourees have expanded into sectors like IT, finance, and warehouse logistics, proving that women can excel in any area.
2. The TWIG honourees have shown that they are not only dynamic leaders in their respective roles but also prioritize community engagement, contributing positively to various communities within the industry.
3. In the realm of fashion-and-beauty and personal-growth, these women demonstrate mindfulness and personal development, fostering a healthy lifestyle.
4. Apart from their achievements in the food-and-drink sector, these TWIG honourees excel in job-search and career-development, setting goals for themselves and others through skills-training.
5. Many TWIG honourees, despite juggling familial responsibilities, have found the time for travel, preferring adventure-travel or cultural-travel, broadening their perspectives and experiences.
6. The TWIG honourees have not neglected the importance of car-maintenance, ensuring their personal vehicles remain in optimal condition, especially considering the rise of electric-vehicles in the market.
7. These women also prioritize productivity, striving to maximize their time effectively for personal and professional growth and make a significant difference within the retail food industry.
8. The home-and-garden sector is not overlooked by these TWIG honourees, who practice mindful buying, focusing on quality that aligns with the growing trend of consumers prioritizing quality over price.
9. Through their influential roles, TWIG honourees drive the evolution of global-cuisines, promoting food-and-drink choices that cater to diverse palates and dietary preferences, thereby contributing to overall wellness and health-conscious eating.
10. In food-and-drink and education-and-self-development, these TWIG honourees continue to inspire others to explore various cuisines and learn new skills, promoting lifelong learning and personal growth.
11. By focusing on food-and-drink, the TWIG honourees aim to make a positive impact on people's lives and help them achieve their goals through the power of connection and shared experiences.

Read also: