NGA lately wrapped up one other profitable Govt Management Improvement Program (ELDP), bringing collectively rising and established leaders from throughout the unbiased grocery trade for 4 days of management coaching at Cornell College in Ithaca, New York.
Held Might 31-June 4, and supported by longtime program sponsor PepsiCo, the ELDP program continues to function one of many industries premier skilled growth experiences. Designed to strengthen management capabilities and strategic decision-making, ELDP combines the next:
- Interactive instruction
- Management assessments
- Crew-based collaboration
- Complete enterprise workouts
This yr’s program featured a management panel that included ELDP alumni and PepsiCo representatives, who shared insights on the evolving unbiased grocery trade. These conversations bolstered the significance of getting ready in the present day’s professionals to guide organizations by means of an more and more dynamic retail atmosphere. Subjects of debate included:
- The state of the unbiased grocery trade
- Buyer and class shifts
- Partnerships and joint worth creation
- Management and expertise
A spotlight of this system was the presentation of two management scholarships recognizing people who exemplify innovation, service, and a dedication to strengthening the unbiased grocery trade.
Jamie Hofmann of Rosauers Supermarkets obtained the PepsiCo Management Scholarship for her excellent management and contributions throughout human sources, public relations, undertaking administration, and ecommerce. Her adaptability and collaborative strategy have made her an rising chief inside her group and the trade.
The Ladies Grocers of America (WGA) Scholarship was awarded to Marquitrice Mangham, government director of In Her Footwear, Inc., for her transformational work increasing meals entry all through Mississippi’s Delta area. Since 2022, Mangham has launched 4 fresh-food grocery markets and developed a cellular market mannequin serving rural and underserved communities. Her dedication to addressing meals insecurity whereas supporting native farmers and financial growth exemplifies the community-centered management the unbiased grocery trade strives to foster.
“Marquitrice exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and community-centered management that WGA is proud to help,” mentioned WGA President Kristie Maurer. “Her dedication to increasing meals entry, empowering underserved communities, and creating alternatives for native farmers demonstrates the lasting impression robust management can have throughout the unbiased grocery trade.”
The 2026 graduating class included 39 professionals representing retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, and answer suppliers from throughout the nation. Their various backgrounds from retailer operations and merchandising to advertising, IT, human sources, and meals security replicate the broad spectrum of management shaping the way forward for unbiased grocery.
Because the grocery trade continues to evolve, applications like ELDP stay important for creating assured, modern leaders ready to navigate change whereas strengthening their organizations and communities. Congratulations to the 2026 ELDP graduates and scholarship recipients for his or her dedication to skilled development and advancing the unbiased grocery trade. Their funding in management in the present day will assist form a stronger, extra resilient trade for years to return.
You’ll be able to be taught extra about ELDP right here.
