Leadership in 2021 will be more about thriving than surviving, and connecting is key. Throughout 2021 CFBN and Kincannon & Reed are partnering to bring you opportunities to connect, learn, and grow through the Connection Series. Join us for an opportunity to explore all that the food industry has to offer, network with leaders, and share best practices with your peers.
Each event in the series will offer attendees an opportunity to hear from industry leaders on the primary topic. Following that brief opening presentation, these events offer focused small-group and individual networking around the topic areas. Join into any group to network with your peers, or connect 1:1 with your fellow attendees in private networking chats. This is a clear virtual solution to the networking we've all been missing!
Join us for our NEXT event in the series, Tuesday, APRIL 20th:
Where Does Grocery Go Next!
Change is an understatement for the grocery sector this past year. The April Connection Series will focus on the Leadership needed in 2021 as we think about sourcing new products, engaging with customers through technology, and using data and intelligence to understand the diversity of consumer habits. We will discuss how leaders need to innovate and adapt for the future.
Opening Conversation Featuring:
Following our opening discussion, join your industry peers for Networking in one of our SIX moderated discussion sessions:
SESSION 1: How to use Influencers when Marketing
Rob Easley, COO, Trend Management: An entrepreneurial retail executive, Rob Easley will be sharing 25 years general management/P&L experience, especially when it comes to leveraging influencers when marketing.
Gary Weihs, Managing Partner, Kincannon & Reed: Gary will be joining Rob after the panel discussion to facilitate a networking opportunity. Gary has exceptionally broad experience across the food value chain. He has led organizations from start-ups to mature groups and will assist in facilitating this discussion.
Session 2: using Analytics for Operational Execution
Nico Cattaneo, Vice President - Merchandising Solutions for Schnuck Markets: Nico will share his view on the ever-changing grocery sector. In his role, Nico leads end-to-end Merchandising Solutions, including pricing and promotion strategy, category planning & cost optimization, assortment, and space planning. Over his tenure at Schnucks, Nico assisted in the development and implementation of the company’s first advanced analytics program, with focus on data science, digital analytics, and competitive intelligence.
Lisa Johnson, Managing Director, Kincannon & Reed: Using analytics for operational execution can be a differentiator in the grocery sector. K&R’s Lisa Johnson will be facilitating a discussion with Nico on best practices in Using Analytics for Operational Execution. Prior to joining Kincannon & Reed, Lisa was a partner at Global Food Partnership that advised food manufacturers and retailers around the world in strategies for bringing new products to market.
SESSION 3: Investing in the Future of Food
Andrew Bluestein, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Bluestein Ventures: Andrew is a strategist with a broad view of the grocery sector. He sits on three boards as a director, and observer on another three. He brings a diverse background working with emerging leaders and will facilitate an in-depth discussion on where the grocery sector goes next.
Paul Izenstark, Managing Director, Kincannon & Reed: Paul will be joining Andrew after the panel discussion to facilitate a networking opportunity around Investing in the Future of Food. Paul has exceptionally broad experience across the food industry. He has worked with organizations from start-ups to mature groups and will assist in facilitating this discussion.
SESSION 4: The value proposition -it’s not just price
Tony Stallone, Principal, Tony Stallone Consulting: With more than 20 years of experience, Tony brings to the discussion a passion for the possibilities of food and the consumer experience. In his recent role Tony provided the leadership that grew Peapod into the largest Internet delivery grocery company in the nation. His views on where grocery is going and how to add value along the way will be invaluable in our panel discussion and networking session.
Ed Yuhas, Managing Partner, Kincannon & Reed: A marketer, an advisor, a leader. Ed brings his 30 years of industry experience with large food organizations and private equity-backed startups to facilitate a discussion with Tony on creating the value proposition.
SESSION 5: Emotional Intelligence and your leadership style
Mark Dorian, Associate, BGJ Group: Mark brings extensive experience in the retail grocery environment, growing businesses, and companies, creating shareholder value, and championing innovation. Throughout his career he has led teams, developed leaders, and recognized the importance of combining the right strategies with the right talent. Strong leadership comes from individuals who are aware of their leadership style, and Mark will be joining K&R’s Executive Coach, Sally Day to facilitate what promises to be a productive discussion.
Sally Day, Managing Director, Kincannon & Reed: Sally is a certified executive coach and search professional, who brings years of food industry experience as a senior leader. Sally’s tenure in organizational strategy and leadership provides an unmatched experience when coaching executives. Mark and Sally will discuss with those in attendance how leadership awareness is key to overall career development. Sally knows firsthand the kinds of challenges leaders encounter and with Mark will bring actionable insights to the discussion.
SESSION 6: Building Your Team to Build Your Business
Ashley Alden, Senior Director of Merchandising, Foxtrot Markets: Ashley is a results-driven merchandising professional with the ability to establish and execute Omni Channel strategies and deliver volume driving product assortments. Recognized as a highly motivated individual and engaging cross-functional team leader brings a unique perspective on the consumer experience and where grocery goes next.
Carolyn Schubert, Managing Director, Kincannon & Reed: The ultimate professional, K&R’s Carolyn Schubert will facilitate with Ashley Alden an action-oriented discussion on how building your team, builds your business. Carolyn brings nearly 20 years of experience in the recruitment senior leadership and advising clients on how critical the right talent is to yield the right business outcomes.
Hear what fellow attendees said about our 1st event in the series:
"I was hesitant to attend this networking event...Instead I was pleasantly surprised at the collaborative feel of the HopIn platform, the quality of the table sessions, and the provided networking options. The CFBN Networking event- 5 stars!"
"I really miss the in-person networking and was a little skeptical on doing the virtual networking but WOW-- completely surprised and REALLY liked the format! The opportunity to do one on one conversations was great. The topics were relevant and it was nice to be able to "sit" at a table but then if the tables were full, I could still listen to the conversation. Thank you!"
Upcoming EVENTS:
- Tuesday, May 18th
- Tuesday, August 17th
- Tuesday, October 19th
- Tuesday, November 16th
ABOUT OUR SERIES PARTNER, Kincannon & Reed:
Founded in 1981, Kincannon & Reed is a retained executive search firm engaged by organizations around the world to recruit impact players in the food, agribusiness, and life sciences sectors. Clients benefit from their unique focus, expertise, and approach. This combination has produced an enviable record of success: the deliver leaders with judgment who get results. Kincannon & Reed brings a unique perspective to this series of virtual networking events - helping to provide expertise, insight, connections from across the wider food and beverage industry in the midwest.
(Click HERE to learn more about Kincannon & Reed)
The Connection Series is a new virtual event offering produced in partnership with CFBN member company, Kincannon & Reed!
Missed an event?
Visit our Virtual Library to catch up with all previous events!
