Start Your Morning Right
Kick off each conference day with our thought-starting morning sessions designed to inspire your team, examine the unprecedented impact of the 2020 worldwide pandemic, and explore how focusing on resilience will help situate you for success in what many believe will be the “new norm.”
Our focused, educational program offers a variety of learning formats from keynote presentations lead by industry executives to more informal Whiteboard Session discussion groups. These daily sessions will feature thought-leading veterans and a few unexpected voices, that will help you understand your customers better and prepare your business to successfully adapt to the new retailing realities.
This year’s conference speaker line-up and Whiteboard Session topics are still taking shape. Check back with us – the final list of speakers will be released in the coming months.
Bryan Kaltenbach
President Food 4 Less Division, The Kroger Co. Monday, September 28, 8:00 a.m. “Building Resilient Organizations, People and Partnerships” A Conversation with Bryan Kaltenbach & John Frost. Bryan Kaltenbach is President of The Kroger Co.’s Food 4 Less Division based in Los Angeles. He oversees 127 Food 4 Less/Foods Co stores that employ more than […]
John Frost
Senior Vice President – Retail Sales & Emerging Business PepsiCo, Inc. Monday, September 28, 8:00 a.m. “Building Resilient Organizations, People and Partnerships” A Conversation with Bryan Kaltenbach & John Frost. Since April 2020, John has served as Senior Vice President – Retail Sales & Emerging Business for PepsiCo, Inc., John is responsible for retail sales […]
Anita Sabine
Partner Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Monday, September 28, 8:45 a.m. “The Evolving Legality of CBD in the U.S.“ Anita Famili Sabine is a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office and leads the firm’s real estate transactions and finance practice and the cannabis and CBD practice. She represents owners, operators, lenders, developers, investors and others […]
Steve Spinner
CEO & Chairman of the Board United Natural Foods, Inc. Tuesday, September 29, 8:00 a.m. “Supply Chain Resiliency“ A Conversation With Steve Spinner and Denny Belcastro. Steven L. Spinner has served as Chairman of UNFI, Inc. since October 2016 and Chief Executive Officer since September 2008. He has been a member of our Board of […]
Denny Belcastro
VP, Industry Affairs and Customer Development Kimberly-Clark Corporation Tuesday, September 29, 8:00 a.m. “Supply Chain Resiliency” A Conversation With Steve Spinner and Denny Belcastro. A 43-plus-year industry veteran, Denny joined the leadership team at Kimberly Clark in 2015 as Vice President, Industry and Customer Development. He is responsible for leading the company’s efforts with business […]
Deborah Weinswig
CEO, Founder Coresight Research Tuesday, September 29, 8:45 a.m. “Grocery Supply Chain: Mapping a Path to the Next Normal” Deborah Weinswig is CEO and Founder of Coresight Research, a research and advisory firm specializing in disruptive technologies reshaping today’s retail landscape. Coresight Research has a global presence spanning the U.S., Europe and Asia, including deep expertise […]
Joe Wolfe
Instructor & Federal Programs Manager Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates, Inc. Tuesday, September 29, 10:00 a.m. “Managing Conflict Through De-Escalation” Joseph T. Wolf, CFI, is an instructor and the Federal Programs Manager for Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates, Inc. (WZ) and a retired 30-year Federal law enforcement veteran. He served 10 years with the Coast Guard Investigative Service, 15 […]
Mike Bowers
Mike Bowers, Vice President, Enterprise Protection Northgate Gonzalez Markets Tuesday, September 29, 10:40 a.m. “Loss Prevention – Leaning Forward in a Changing Marketplace” Mike Bowers, CFI is vice president of Enterprise Protection for Northgate Gonzalez Markets. He also serves as CGA Enterprise Risk Protection Committee Chair. Before joining Northgate in 2013, he spent 13 years […]
Mike Lamb
Vice President, Asset Protection Kroger Co. Tuesday, September 29, 10:40 a.m. “Loss Prevention – Leaning Forward in a Changing Marketplace” A seasoned industry leader, Mike Lamb has served with some of the nation’s most prominent loss prevention programs, embodying a style of leadership and a standard of performance that his teams respond to, rally around, […]
Dale Stern
Partner/Co-Chair Food & Ag Group Downey Brand Leveraging decades of experience in corporate and nonprofit law, Dale Stern’s practice encompasses the breadth of issues facing nonprofit associations and foundations, as well as family owned and other closely held for-profit business organizations. Dale is a trusted counselor to industry trade associations, charitable and educational foundations, cooperatives, […]
Phil Miller
Vice President, West Region C&S Wholesale Grocers Chair, California Grocers Association Board of Directors Wednesday, September 30, 8:00 a.m. “Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice: A Call for Authenticity“A Conversation with Phil Miller, Ron Fong & Juan Trillas. Phil Miller joined C&S Wholesale Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S., in 2009 and […]
Ron Fong
President & CEO California Grocers Association Tuesday, September 29, 1:00 p.m. “Independent Grocers Forum” Wednesday, September 30, 8:00 a.m. “Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice: A Call for Authenticity“A Conversation with Phil Miller, Ron Fong & Juan Trillas. Ronald Fong assumed the reigns of the California Grocers Association (CGA) as President and Chief Executive Officer on […]
Juan Trillas
Account Executive Retail Customers Bimbo Bakeries U.S.A. 92nd Headlite, The Illuminators Wednesday, September 30, 8:00 a.m. “Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice: A Call for Authenticity“A Conversation with Phil Miller, Ron Fong & Juan Trillas. Juan Trillas is an Account Executive for Bimbo Bakeries, USA, the American Corporate arm of Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest baking […]
Tara James
Senior Vice President, Beauty and Personal Care Vertical Nielsen Wednesday, September 30, 8:45 a.m. “Personal Care and Beauty During the Pandemic and Path Forward“ Tara is a dynamic executive with 20-plus years of experience within the data analytic and consumer insights industry. Tara has a proven track record for leading highly successful teams to drive […]
Robert Rodriguez
Associate Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart Wednesday, September 30, 10:00 a.m. “The COVID Intersection of Cal/OSHA, Workers’ Compensation, and Civil Litigation” Robert Rodriguez has significant experience handling a wide variety of labor and employment matters, including wage and hour class actions, claims of discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and wrongful termination. He also has experience providing […]
Karen Tynan
Of Counsel Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Wednesday, September 30, 10:00 a.m. “The COVID Intersection of Cal/OSHA, Workers’ Compensation, and Civil Litigation” Karen Tynan is an of counsel attorney in the Sacramento office of Ogletree Deakins. After graduating with honors from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, she worked for Chevron Shipping Company […]
Sam Skinner
Chief Experience Officer x.labs Tuesday, September 29, 10:40 a.m. “Public Health and the Role of Technology In The Retail Space for 2020 and Beyond” Sam Skinner is Chief Experience Office for x.labs, considered a leader in next-generation public safety threat detection and digital healthcare technologies.
Hee-Sook Nelson
Vice President, Team Development and Public Affairs Gelson’s Markets Thursday, October 1, 8:00 a.m. “Leading in Turbulent Times” A Conversation with Hee-Sook Nelson & Eric Stille. Hee-Sook Nelson is responsible for customer satisfaction, governmental program compliance, and the training and development of Gelson’s 2,700 store level employees in her capacity as Vice President, Team Development […]
Eric Stille
CEO and President Nugget Market, Inc. Thursday, October 1, 8:00 a.m. “Leading in Turbulent Times” A Conversation with Hee-Sook Nelson & Eric Stille. Eric Stille is a fourth generation grocer dedicated to offering a unique, downhome yet progressive grocery experience to the greater Sacramento Valley, Marin County and, most recently, Sonoma. Nugget Markets has been […]
Doug Madenberg
Principal Retail Feedback Group Thursday, October 1, 8:45 a.m. “Tomorrow’s Great Experience” Doug has led Retail Feedback Group since 1995. He consults with organizations across the U.S. to listen and respond to their customers, employees, and supply chain partners. Doug has been on the forefront of consumer and employee insights in the grocery industry. He […]
Sergio Gonzalez
Customer Experience and Vital Factors Northgate Gonzalez Markets Thursday, October 1, 8:45 a.m. “Tomorrow’s Great Experience” Sergio A. Gonzalez is Customer Experience and Vital Factors manager at Northgate Gonzalez Markets, a supermarket destination for authentic, fresh, and quality Hispanic foods. Among Sergio’s various responsibilities, he leads Northgate’s Customer Experience program, and supports with customer insights […]
Yvonne Manganaro
Vice President, Marketing Gelson’s Markets Thursday, October 1, 8:45 a.m. “Tomorrow’s Great Experience” Yvonne Manganaro is a SoCal native that has worked in the retail industry for 30 years, with 17 of those spent at Gelson’s Markets. While earning her BA-History degree at UCLA, Manganaro worked at a single-store operator, learning the grocery industry through […]
Dean Willhite
Vice President, Store Operations, FoodMaxx, Thursday, October 1, 8:45 a.m., “Tomorrow’s Great Experience” Dean Willhite is the vice president of FoodMaxx store operations for The Save Mart Companies. In this role he is responsible for store operations in and retail execution for all 54 FoodMaxx banner stores throughout California and Northern Nevada. Since joining The Save […]
Doug Stephens
Founder Retail Prophet Friday, October 2, 8:00 a.m. “The Future of Grocery Retail in a Post-Pandemic World“ Prior to founding Retail Prophet, Doug spent over 20 years in the retail industry, holding senior international roles including the leadership of one of New York City’s most historic retail chains. He is the author of two groundbreaking […]
Joanne Heyob
Senior Vice President, Operations Strategy & Design WD Partners Friday, October 2, 8:45 a.m. “Creating the Fulfillment Channels Your Customers Demand” As SVP, Operations Strategy & Design at WD Partners, Joanne brings 20 years of experience rooted in retail and store operations. With a proven track record of driving innovative growth strategies for retail brands, […]
Mark Bateman
VP, Business Development, WD Partners, Friday, October 2, 8:45 a.m., “Creating the Fulfillment Channels Your Customers Demand“. With over 20 years of business development and consulting experience, Mark works with WD’s clients across their businesses to uncover market opportunities, develop strategy and execute ideas. He collaborates with the team to identify the customer’s business gaps, […]