Women Leading the Grocery Industry in 2025: Persistently Blooming Stars

Women Leading the Grocery Industry in 2025: Persistently Blooming Stars

The grocery sector is abuzz with excitement as Progressive Grocer unveils the 2025 Top Women in Grocery (TWIG) honorees. These inspiring leaders have made significant strides in the industry, demonstrating strategic vision, operational excellence, community impact, and innovation.

One such honouree is Trina J. Bediako, CEO of New Horizons Baking Company. Under her leadership, the company has experienced record-breaking growth by aligning sales, quality, and operations. Trina's dedication extends beyond her professional role, as she serves on several industry and charitable boards.

Julie Jacono, CEO of JumpStart Inc., is another standout honouree. Her career is marked by strategic leadership across healthcare and business innovation sectors, balanced with strong personal values and a focus on meaningful impact.

Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, CMO of Whole Foods Market, is another 2025 TWIG honouree. Her customer-focused approach shapes merchandising, marketing, and sustainability strategies, aligning with Whole Foods' mission to nourish people and the planet.

Jennifer Saysay is recognised as a Rising Star among the 2025 TWIG honourees, embodying emerging leadership within the grocery sector.

These honourees represent a diverse group of women driving change and growth in their respective roles throughout the grocery industry.

The 2025 TWIG honourees will be celebrated during Progressive Grocer's annual Grocery Impact event. This event is aligned with major industry gatherings such as the UNFI Holiday and Winter Selling Show, attended by thousands of industry professionals and retailers. The recognition occurs within this context, typically including ceremonies and showcases highlighting the honourees’ achievements and contributions.

The celebration of the 2025 Top Women in Grocery happens during Progressive Grocer’s Grocery Impact event, which coincides with the industry's key selling season events such as UNFI’s summer and winter selling shows. Specific announcements and honors will be highlighted in July 2025.

Moreover, Progressive Grocer has also recognised the Outstanding Independents for 2025, who are tuned into the needs of their communities. As sticker shock subsides, grocery shoppers are focusing more on quality, and these independent retailers are rising to the occasion.

In these challenging times, the TWIG honourees have bloomed even in less-than-ideal conditions, often supported by understanding colleagues and wise mentors. Many have spared time, despite hectic schedules and family obligations, to give back to their communities in various ways. From coaching a girls' softball team to co-founding and running a nonprofit, these honourees have shown that success in the grocery industry is not just about business acumen, but also about making a positive impact in the world.

The TWIG event and podcast are associated with Progressive Grocer's Top Women in Grocery program, which has been shining a light on women making a difference in the grocery industry for many years. This year, the program has recognised trailblazers in various fields, from traditional roles such as marketing and human resources to less-traditional areas like IT, finance, and warehouse logistics.

Lipton Teas and Whole Foods Market are among the retail trailblazers recognised by TWIG. Many of this year's honourees have helped others to bloom as well, forging into areas with fewer female leaders and excelling in their respective roles.

In the ever-evolving world of consumer packaged goods (CPG), it's refreshing to see companies like Progressive Grocer and TWIG celebrating women who are making a difference. The 2025 TWIG honourees are truly a testament to resilience, growth, and triumph over adversity. They are inspiring leaders who are shaping the future of the grocery industry.

[1] Source: Progressive Grocer's Top Women in Grocery website [2] Source: Progressive Grocer's Grocery Impact event press release [3] Source: Whole Foods Market press release [4] Source: UNFI Holiday and Winter Selling Show press release [5] Source: Progressive Grocer's Rising Star recognition press release

1. Trina J. Bediako, the CEO of New Horizons Baking Company, has showcased leadership in the fashion-and-beauty sector by aligning sales, quality, and operations.
2. Julie Jacono, the CEO of JumpStart Inc., has demonstrated strategic leadership in the careers and self-development sector, balancing strong personal values with a focus on meaningful impact.
3. Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, CMO of Whole Foods Market, has been recognized for her innovative approaches in the lifestyle sector, shaping merchandising, marketing, and sustainability strategies.
4. Jennifer Saysay, a Rising Star among the 2025 TWIG honourees, embodies emerging leadership in personal-growth and education-and-self-development sectors within the grocery industry.
5. As the grocery sector gears up for key events like UNFI's summer and winter selling shows, honourees like these are setting trends in the travel industry, with numerous industry professionals and retailers in attendance.
6. Recognizing the Outstanding Independents for 2025, Progressive Grocer honors those who prioritize quality and community needs in areas like home-and-garden and food-and-drink sectors.
7. In the sports sector, these 2025 TWIG honourees have also been stepping up, giving back to their communities by coaching youth sports teams or co-founding non-profits, proving that success in the grocery industry is about making a difference.

Read also: