Our Junior Board of Directors
WISE started a junior board of directors in 2021 to further its mission of increased diversity and inclusion in store brands and to provide leadership opportunities to empower our partners and members.
The WISE Junior Board is comprised of emerging leaders from our partner members and focuses on connecting to the next generation of talent in the Store Brand industry.
Click on the headshots for more information on each of our board members.
Tammy Akers
Food Regulatory Compliance Manager, John B. Sanfilippo and Son, Inc.
I have been in the food industry since 1998. I started my career working on the processing line of a frozen food manufacturer. I worked my way up to machine operator, then over into the Control Department as a technician. In September 2001, I landed in the food regulatory group and found my passion. In the 25 years since I had worked in both USDA and FDA regulated processing facilities. I came to John B. Sanfilippo and Son, Inc. in 2013, holding several different titles. I have recently been promoted to Food Regulatory Compliance Manager, where I am just getting my toes wet as a people manager.
I was able to achieve a dream of mine by going back to school to obtain my B.S. in Nutrition Science from Purdue University’s Global campus. Graduating with a 4.0 last May. I am taking some time off, but plan to go back for an M.S. in the next year or two. I have a passion for driving equity in business. Growing up attending “Take your daughter to work” programs at Motorola with my mother taught me early on, that women have a place in manufacturing. Working in the manufacturing sector has taught me that there is a place for all backgrounds, and while we have come a long way there is more work that can be done.
I am getting married this summer to my high school sweetheart, after finding each other again later in life. This August, I officially get to be a bonus mom to an amazing stepson, and Grammy Tammy to 2 awesome grandkids. I also love creating things with my hands. Some of the activities you will find me doing are knitting, crocheting, painting, and sewing.
I am really looking forward to serving on the WISE Jr. BOD. It is an opportunity to contribute to a great organization with ideals that align with my own. I look forward to meeting, learning from, and growing with you all.
I was able to achieve a dream of mine by going back to school to obtain my B.S. in Nutrition Science from Purdue University’s Global campus. Graduating with a 4.0 last May. I am taking some time off, but plan to go back for an M.S. in the next year or two. I have a passion for driving equity in business. Growing up attending “Take your daughter to work” programs at Motorola with my mother taught me early on, that women have a place in manufacturing. Working in the manufacturing sector has taught me that there is a place for all backgrounds, and while we have come a long way there is more work that can be done.
I am getting married this summer to my high school sweetheart, after finding each other again later in life. This August, I officially get to be a bonus mom to an amazing stepson, and Grammy Tammy to 2 awesome grandkids. I also love creating things with my hands. Some of the activities you will find me doing are knitting, crocheting, painting, and sewing.
I am really looking forward to serving on the WISE Jr. BOD. It is an opportunity to contribute to a great organization with ideals that align with my own. I look forward to meeting, learning from, and growing with you all.
Tammy Akers
John B. Sanfilippo and Son
Partner Liaison Committee
Angela Bruno
Category Manager, Topco Associates
Angela Bruno is a Category Manager at Topco Associates, where she has managed a variety of different categories throughout her career - from dairy products to center store grocery favorites like candy and cereal. Growing in her career at Topco has allowed her to learn the ins and outs of category management and strengthen her expertise in the retail space. In her current role, Angela oversees the product assortment, leverages consumer insights to tell compelling business stories, and builds strong relationships with both suppliers and retailers.
Outside of work, Angela loves traveling to new countries with her fiancé and has recently spent time in Colombia and Mexico City. She is an avid CrossFit-er and coaches a few morning classes each week at her local gym. She has recently gotten into baking sourdough and has enjoyed growing her baking skills and sharing with friends.
Angela is looking forward to serving, learning, and growing alongside the WISE Junior Board.
Angela Bruno
Topco Associates
Bailey Furtado
Sr. Rotational Program Specialist - Sourcing, Topco Associates
Born and Raised in Central California with a strong agriculture background. Graduated from California State University, Fresno in 2021 with an Bachelors in Agriculture Business. Started with Topco in the summer of 2019 with my first Produce Procurement Internship, then continued to complete two more internships with Topco; another Produce Procurement Internship as well as a Category Management Internship. Upon graduating, moved to the Chicago area and joined the Rotational Program with Topco, which is a 2 year developmental program that gives an opportunity to work in a total of 6 departments. The departments in this program include; Member Services, Master Data, Demand Planning, Logistics, Sourcing and Category Insights. Having almost completed 5/6 rotations, I have been able to get diverse exposures and insights to the grocery industry which I hope to aid the WISE Junior Board.
Bailey Furtado
Topco Associates
JB Chair/Recruitment Committee
Alexis Herbert
Business Manager, Daymon
Alexis Herbert is a Business Manager at Daymon, supporting the Ahold Delhaize account for nearly 3 years. Alexis started with Daymon after graduating from Western Michigan University’s Food & Consumer Packed Goods Marketing program in 2019. In her role, her responsibilities include supporting suppliers and retailers in various ways such as developing new private brand programs, closing distribution voids, searching for innovation and white space opportunities and more. She has a passion for exploring new food and consumer trends. In her spare time, she loves travelling to new cities and countries, being active and playing sports, cooking, listening to True Crime podcasts and spending time with friends and family. She is very passionate about promoting diversity and she is truly honored to be a part of the WISE Junior Board.
Alexis Herbert
Daymon
JB Vice Chair
Michaela Ilieva
Senior HR & Talent Specialist, Topco Associates
Michaela is the Senior HR & Talent Specialist at Topco Associates supporting the HR team in various areas like talent acquisition, learning & development, early career initiatives, and performance management. Michaela started at Topco after graduating from Central Michigan University with a Human Resources Major and Psychology Minor in 2023. In her role, Michaela helps lead recruiting efforts for roles below the manager level, contributes to the planning and execution of Topco's college recruiting strategy, helps manage the summer internship program, supports the rotational program, assists with performance management, and drives initiatives that promote career development and enhance the overall associate experience.
Michaela Ilieva
Topco Associates
Rachel Krpec (Kosier)
Winland Foods
Talent Development Committee
Dulce Mireles
Senior Product Developer, Whole Foods Market
Dulce is a life-long knowledge seeker. Born & having spent most of her childhood in Mexico with family, she prides herself in cooking, baking & eating traditional Mexican culinary delights. She is a proud Aggie Food Scientist, Chemist, & Coffee Expert, and an even prouder Whole Foods Market Product Developer supporting Breakfast Shelf Stable & Refrigerated Dairy Exclusive Brands growth & innovation. “K*ll ‘em with Kindness” is her life motto. Music & Nature are her best friends. Dulce is ecstatic to share this exciting WISE Jr BOD chapter with amazing individuals!
Dulce Mirales
Whole Foods Market
Events Committee
Hannah Senerchia
Brand Manager, Schreiber Foods
Hannah Senerchia is a Brand Manager at Schreiber Foods, where she leads the company’s licensing business. She holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and an MBA from St. Norbert College. After completing an internship with Schreiber Foods, Hannah began her career with the company and has spent the past nine years driving commercialization and marketing strategies for their dairy portfolio.
Originally from Door County, Wisconsin, Hannah enjoys returning to her hometown to take in the scenic sunsets and explore the outdoors. She shares her love for the area with her husband, their daughter Kinsley (1), and their dog, Lacy. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys reading and checking out new supper clubs.
Hannah Senerchia
Schrieber Foods
Cooper Zwanka
Associate Business Manager, Daymon
Cooper has been on the Itasca Regional Team at Daymon since 2023. This is his very first position out of college, and hopefully his last he says. He currently holds the position of Associate Business Manager at Daymon where his key focus is collaborating with retailer customers and key supplier partners to manage and expand their private brand programs. Cooper received a Bachelor’s in Science for Political Science from the University of Buffalo. He is passionate about history and tennis. He also enjoys trying new foods, practicing the piano, and spending time with his family.
Cooper Zwanka
Daymon
Marketing & Communications Committee