Wise Annual Meeting

As the year comes to an end, there are many reasons to celebrate.  For WISE, the year-end celebration focuses on the completion of another successful Annual Meeting and Luncheon.  On November 17, WISE welcomed almost 400 private brand professionals, partner members, sponsors, students and advisors at the Hyatt Rosemont, IL, to kick off the PLMA trade show. 

This year’s theme “How Diversity and Inclusion Drive Success” was perfectly introduced by the recognition of the 2019 Top Women in Storebrands recipients.  Presented in conjunction with StoreBrands Magazine, these leaders in industry are nominated by their colleagues as outstanding examples of leadership, innovation, dedication and professionalism in private brands.  Each recipient is congratulated with a video presentation by their colleagues stating in their own words why the recipient has impacted the industry.  “I thought the awards presentation was very personal.  You could feel the connectivity in the room,” noted first time attendant Cindy Hogan, Meier Own Brands Team, Director of Private Own Brands. 

Keynote speaker Jonathan Mayes, Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer for Albertson’s Companies, presented the crowd with a very inspiring and personal look at how unconscious bias can limit an organization’s opportunity for growth.  While statistics show that an organization with more diverse leadership is more profitable, there are still a number of hurdles to overcome in making diversity and inclusion a corporate-wide focus.  Mayes challenged the room to recognize the varying biases that exist, externally and internally, and to change old habits that influence decision making and hiring practices.  “As Jonathan pointed out in his presentation, there are so many preconceived notions and biases,” said Amy Sanderson, Founder and CEO of SSP Transformative Solutions.  “How as a woman can you work through that, or around that, or overcome it to achieve what you want to achieve?  And, how do we as women help each other to reach our goals?” 

In addition to the thought-provoking keynote speech and all-important networking opportunity, Annual Meeting attendees left the meeting with a copy of Melinda Gates’ book The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World.  “What I took away [from the meeting] is that just because I practice these principles does not mean everyone does,” comments Cate Davis, Progressive Sales & Marketing, Growth Initiatives/SE Region Lead.  “Moving forward, I will speak up more about how important these principles are. It’s everyone’s responsibility to change corporate culture at large.

Thank you to all of the event sponsors and volunteers who make this Annual Meeting and Luncheon possible.  The WISE Board of Directors wishes you all a happy and healthy 2020!

An Interview with Amy Sanderson

SSP Transformative Solutions

Founder and CEO

What made you decide to attend the annual meeting?  I reconnected with Peggy Davies.  I’m starting my own business and I talked to her about the networking opportunities within WISE.  I also have a number of former co-workers who are members and past Top Women In Storebrands award winners.  I’m a big fan of what the organization does. 

What were your expectations going in?  I really had no preconceived notions of what I was walking into.  I knew that I’d see people I knew and I felt comfortable attending. 

What did you take away from the meeting?  My thought leaving the meeting was how can men and women help women achieve their career goals?  As Jonathan pointed out in his presentation, there are so many preconceived notions and biases.  How as a woman can you work through that, or around that, or overcome it to achieve what you want to achieve?  And, how do we as women help each other to reach our goals? 

Was there a particular contact that you were happy to make?  I wasn’t coming into the annual meeting thinking about a specific contact or what I could take from it.  My goal in being a part of this group is to give back and help others.  I look at my membership from the perspective of whatever I can give to WISE, I know it will come back to me.  Knowing that I can help the organization, whether through mentoring or through committee volunteering, is my motivation for joining.    

Did the speaker make you think differently about your work or your personal outlook? 

There were some “Oh my gosh” moments in Jonathan’s presentation for sure.  Some of the statistics stood out, like how there are more CEOs named John than there are women CEOs in total.  It made me a bit sad honestly.  But, a key question presented itself… how many women want to be CEO?  How do we help women who want to get into that big job?  And, I thought how do we support women who don’t want to be a CEO, but can do amazing things being a direct report to a CEO or in other senior leadership roles?  How do we help women be the best they want to be? 

Is there something in particular you hope to get out of participating in WISE activities or being a member?  I’m currently volunteering on a committee to direct the future of programing specific to talent management.  I’m excited to learn more about the Mentor Circles program and dive into some of the webinar topics for 2020.

An Interview with Cindy Hogan

Meier Own Brands Team

Director of Private Own Brands

What made you decide to attend the annual meeting?  Peggy Davies initially invited me.  After she reached out, I read more about the organization.  I enjoy NEW (Network of Executive Women), but WISE was one step further, a great organization focused on private brands and my interests.  

What were your expectations going in?  I expected to meet fellow private brand colleagues I could learn from and share experiences with at the meeting.  I was also intrigued by the featured speaker, a very strong informational speaker that would move you logically and emotionally.  I also loved the aspect of highlighting the Top Women in Storebrands.  I wanted to learn how they exceeded their employer expectations.  I thought the awards presentation was very personal.  You could feel the connectivity in the room.

What did you take away from the meeting? 

I took home that diversity takes many different forms, diversity of thought, diversity of experience.  The featured speaker, Jonathan, definitely overcame some amazing hardships.  I love that WISE is providing a forum that encourages that diversity. 

Was there a particular contact that you were happy to make?

I was chatting with people and the student guests at my table.  I found out that one of my table mates is from S4RB and we work together.  It’s such a small world!  He was also a great mini salesperson for WISE.  It was beautiful.

Did the speaker make you think differently about your work or your personal outlook? 

Fostering diversity is something we can do when we hire and build out our teams.  We have introverts and extroverts; food and non-food experience; varying socio-economic barriers for example.  We, as leaders, need to encourage, foster and embrace those differences.  We need to create a work environment where it’s ok to have healthy conversations and debates.  We should encourage open dialog and create a safe, trusting environment and where individuals feel comfortable having their voice heard.   

Is there something in particular you hope to get out of participating in WISE activities or being a member? 

I hope to continue meeting amazing private brand industry colleagues and share best practices, discuss industry trends and requirements — that in the end will help our customers and our shoppers. 

Overall, WISE interactions and partnerships can make store brands stronger. 

An Interview with Cate Davis

Progressive Sales & Marketing   

Growth Initiatives/SE Region Lead

What made you decide to attend the annual meeting? 

My dad!  He (Joe Davis) was one of the first members of WISE, and he brought me to the meeting as an introduction.  He’s always talking about how impactful the organization is – both as a place to make connections and as a community of mentorship and support. Given all of the great things I’ve heard about WISE over the years, it was really a delight for me to experience an event first hand.   

What were your expectations going in? My dad prepared me to expect a supportive, warm and educational experience that emphasizes inclusion. Having spent the better part of a decade working for Disney, a company that truly values inclusion and diversity, I have experienced firsthand how these values strengthen teams (and its members). I was excited to see what WISE was all about!    

What did you take away from the meeting?  WISE (and its members) truly walk the walk when it comes to educating and promoting the development of working cultures that emphasize diversity, inclusion and community. I am so looking forward to getting more involved.

Was there a particular contact that you were happy to make?

Going in, I knew the organization had representation from every facet of the industry (which is invaluable), and I met some wonderful women, who I know will be excellent resources. That said, one of the areas that I am very excited about getting involved with is the student program. I think it’s fantastic that WISE is not only a place of community for those in the industry, but extends the invitation to future participants. I have a passion for mentorship and a desire to help (and learn from) the next generation, and really enjoyed getting to know the students at my table.  In fact, I’ve even continued dialog with one of the students beyond the meeting. Very exciting! 

Did the speaker make you think differently about your work or your personal outlook?  A lot of what Jonathan highlighted about diversity, inclusion and equity are principles I practice every day. Everyone can benefit from everyone else’s gifts, and no one can succeed alone. What I took away, however, is that just because I practice these principles does not mean everyone does. Moving forward, I will speak up more about how important these principles are. It’s everyone’s responsibility to change corporate culture at large.

Is there something in particular you hope to get out of participating in WISE activities or being a member? 

This was my first introduction to WISE, and I’m just getting my feet wet in the industry. That being said, I am very excited about the various networking opportunities with WISE and hope the dialog generated from contributing to these events will lead to excellent connections and development opportunities. I cannot wait to learn more from this passionate membership base that clearly shows up to support one another.

Meet Jonathan Mayes, Featured Speaker at Annual Meeting