Highlights of Top Women in Grocery 2016 Gala

Capping a decade of continuing strides made by females in the food industry, 273 of Progressive Grocer’s 2016 Top Women in Grocery gathered in Orlando, Fla., to celebrate their accomplishments and accept individual awards before a sold-out crowd of more than 550.

Hosted by Jeff Friedman, SVP/group brand director, EnsembleIQ, and Meg Major, PG's Chief Content Editor, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Top Women in Grocery marked its 10th year of recognizing the invaluable contributions of women from all walks of the retail food industry in three categories – Senior-Level Executives, Rising Stars and Store Managers – with a dedicated daytime learning platform and evening gala awards celebration.

During the evening program, Judith A. Spires, chairman and CEO of KB Holding Inc., parent company of Kings and Balducci's, was presented with the 2016 Top Women in Grocery Trailblazer award – which recognizes a single executive whose leadership, vision and influence have helped break new ground for women in the retail food industry – by PG, PepsiCo. and the Chicago-based Network of Executive Women (NEW).

Marie Quintana, president of Dallas-based Velocity Group, served as guest host of the formal awards presentation ceremony for Top Women in Grocery honorees, who received individual awards and gold-stamped, long-stemmed red roses, and were able to mix, mingle and celebrate with colleagues, friends and family from around the country. 

During the gala event, Unilever’s Dove brand garnered the Top Women in Grocery Torchbearer Tribute, which recognizes a single company or brand that excels at building awareness for gender bias while offering relatable solutions to impart change.

Highlights of TWIG’s 2016 gala can be found here.