WISE chair Peggy Davies steps down

It is with equal parts sadness and elation that the WISE Board of Directors announces WISE founder Peggy Davies has resigned her position as Board Chair in order to devote her full energy and focus to her new role as acting President of the PLMA organization.

Peggy has led Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence (WISE) since 2012. As a result of her vision for bringing professionals in the private brand industry together to advocate for diversity in leadership, WISE has blossomed into a seasoned non-profit organization with more than 50 partner companies and 300 members bonded in a deep desire to effect real change. 

“From its very beginnings, the WISE organization has been blessed with the ability to attract great talent,” said Davies. “Through the years, the board and committee members have been an amazing group of passionate, dedicated volunteers, and this will continue to be so well into the future. The industry has been empowered by their strategic focus and drive to make an impact. I leave the organization in truly exceptional hands. It has been a joy to contribute and to lead this strong and devoted team.”

Stepping into the position of Chair of the Board is Jen Linke, Vice President of Private Brands, Federated Group.  Jen has served as the Chair of the Professional Development Committee for WISE since its inception.  She has spearheaded the WISE webinar series, introduced innovative programs such as WISE Connect, and secured our many talented annual meeting speakers.  As Jen transitions to her position as Board Chair, Lexi Ward, Senior Director of IT, TreeHouse Foods, will step up as Chair of the Professional Development Committee to assist in furthering our programming.  “Peggy has been so influential in our industry and will continue to do great things,” says Jen.  “WISE will continue to thrive and grow because of our wonderful group of volunteers.  More people continue to get involved and there are many more opportunities to explore.” 

The entire Board of WISE thanks Peggy for her relentless support of WISE and countless hours dedicated to the mission of the organization. We wish her every success in her new ventures. ###

Hear San Francisco 49ers Offensive Assistant Coach Katie Sowers Speak at the Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence (WISE) Virtual Annual Meeting

Lombard, Illinois – Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence™ (WISE) announces featured speaker San Francisco 49ers Offensive Assistant Coach Katie Sowers for its 8^th Annual Meeting on November 12, 2020.  Normally held in conjunction with the PLMA Annual Trade Show in Rosemont, IL, this year’s meeting will be held virtually for the first time.

Assistant Coach Sowers is using her achievement as the first woman and openly gay coach to have reached the pinnacle game in football to inspire others to overcome barriers and follow their dreams.  She is also an advocate for and exemplary example of creating inclusive workplaces for everyone regardless of sex, race or sexual orientation.

“WISE is delighted to bring our meeting to a virtual platform this year,” says Jen Linke, Chair of WISE.  “For years, we’ve seen and heard that people are energized by our meeting.  It serves as a solid way to keep the potential for growth and change in the forefront of everyone’s minds.   With a virtual platform, we expect even more attendees!  Those that were limited by travel restrictions will be motivated by our speaker and the updates as to what WISE has planned for 2021.“ 

In addition to Assistant Coach Sowers’ speech, WISE and Store Brands Magazine will be honoring this year’s Top Women in Store Brands Award winners.  Nominated by their supervisors and/or peers, women across eight categories are awarded based on their outstanding contributions to store brands.  This year’s winners will be honored and recognized live in the virtual event.

New to this year’s conference offerings, attendees can register for WISE Connect virtual networking events.  Small-group networking events will be offered at the completion of the Annual Meeting to discuss the central points of the Annual Meeting and allow for a deeper connection to peers in the WISE network. 

WISE is a non-profit professional development organization, founded by women, to champion the power of diversity and inclusion which drives profitable growth within the store brands industry.  In its eighth year, WISE develops programs and creates professional networks to foster diverse collaboration and provide leadership that drives the continued success of the store brands industry.

To register for the WISE Annual Meeting and Networking Event, visit https://womeninstorebrands.com.  Meeting sponsorship opportunities are available.  Please contact Jen Linke at jen.linke@fedgroup.com or more information.

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November 11, 2018 (Rosemont, Illinois) Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence™ (WISE), the non-profit professional development organization fostering diverse collaboration in the store brands industry, is pleased to announce, at the WISE Annual Meeting, the nominations of four new members to its Board of Directors.

“The WISE Board is delighted to welcome these new members who represent the best of the best in the store brand industry.  In addition to complementing the strengths of our current Board, each new member brings a wealth of leadership experience, industry expertise, and new perspectives to the WISE mission,” says Peggy Davies, Chair, Board of Directors for WISE. “Our new board members are committed to the expansion of diversity in store brands and are eager to lead WISE initiatives that advance careers through strategic professional development programs.”

Joining the WISE Board today is:

Nancy Cota, Vice President of Own Brands, product management, innovation, and brand management – Albertsons Companies

Susan Hunsaker, Senior Director Client Growth and Strategy – Daymon

Jac Ross, VP, Private Brands Innovation – Retail Business Services, an Ahold Delhaize USA Company

Luci Sheehan, Principal – Strategic Sales & Marketing Initiatives LLC

Continuing service with the WISE Board of Directors is:

Peggy Davies, VP Association Relations – PLMA, WISE Board Chair

Laura Fezouati, Sr. Director of Consumer Marketing – C.H. Guenther & Son, WISE Board-1^st Vice Chair

Kathy Elkey, Vice President of Sales – TreeHouse Foods, Inc.

Judy Clark, Senior Vice President, Sales – Bay Valley Foods, LLC, A TreeHouse Foods, Inc. Company, WISE Talent Development Committee Chair

Lori Miller Burns, Director of Marketing Relations and Communications – Arylessence, Inc., co-chair WISE Marketing Communications committee

Jen Linke, Vice President of Brand Management – Federated Group, accepts the role of Second Vice-Chair for her upcoming renewed WISE board term.

WISE would like to thank outgoing board members – Audrey Jakel Hlavin, Ann Tuohey, and Greg Baskin – for their multiple years of dedication and energy to the WISE mission. 

“WISE is looking forward to another successful year of supporting our partners and members in the areas of diversity insights and resources, enhanced professional development education, strategic networks, and collaboration to diversify and energize store brands,” added  Davies.

About Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence™ (WISE)

WISE was founded in 2012 to promote diverse collaboration and provide leadership to drive the continued success of the store brands industry.  Fostering growth across the store brands industry as a champion for diversity in leadership roles, WISE offers educational and professional development opportunities; provides diversity expertise & resources; and advocates informal mentorships and strategic networks for store brands professionals. Guiding principles of the organization include professional leadership development, diversity and inclusion, collaboration to drive innovation and success, and action with integrity and respect. Membership is open to women and men.  WISE proudly partners with 51 retailers, manufacturers, brokers, suppliers, and buying groups; and has built an industry network of more than 300 diverse individual members. For more information, visit www.womeninstorebrands.com

Contact:  Peggy Davies – Telephone: (630) 605-3368

info@womeninstorebrands.com

 

Click to read the announcement on the StoreBrands Online Magazine websiteClick to read the announcement on the StoreBrands Online Magazine website