Wakefern VP Among ‘Executive Women of New Jersey’

Wakefern Food Corp. VP of digital commerce and innovation Cheryl Williams was honored by Executive Women of New Jersey (EWNJ) at the “Salute to Policy Makers” dinner this month at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie served as this year’s distinguished honorary dinner chair. The biennial event recognizes women of professional distinction in the Garden State, while raising funds for the organization’s graduate scholarship program and other efforts that support the advancement of women.

Since the scholarship program’s inception, Salute dinner proceeds have funded more than $1.1 million in scholarships for 350-plus New Jersey women seeking advanced degrees.

“Since joining Wakefern in 1997, Cheryl (left) has made a powerful impact on the success of the company, and on the evolution of the supermarket industry as a whole,” noted Joe Sheridan, president and COO for Keasbey, N.J.-based retail cooperative, whose 47 members operate more than 240 Northeast grocery stores under the ShopRite banner.

“Since its founding in 1980, EWNJ has championed the advancement of women to the most senior levels of international corporations, nonprofits, and public service firms,” explained said EWNJ president-elect and 2012 Salute Dinner chair Keitha M. Lackey, who is also director for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. “At this year’s ‘Salute to the Policy Makers’ event, we celebrated the professional accomplishments of 36 exceptional New Jersey executives.”

Williams was a Progressive Grocer Top Woman in Grocery in 2007 and 2010.