In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Pat Mooney, Vice President of Health & Beauty Care and Non-Foods at Wakefern Food Corp.—the $21B retailer many consumers haven’t heard of, but whose unique business model has shaped regional retail in the Northeast for decades.

Pat shares insights from his 16-year career journey, starting from a rotational “leader in training” role to leading complex merchandising, logistics, and replenishment strategies. He explains how Wakefern’s cooperative structure empowers small businesses with the scale and resources of a large enterprise, while keeping local ownership and customer intimacy at the forefront.

In this episode:

• Wakefern’s member-owned cooperative model and how it drives operational excellence and community engagement
• Career development in the retail industry: how to recognize the right opportunities, build trust, and grow quickly
• The difference between time management and energy management, and how focusing on what you control can accelerate professional growth
• The evolving landscape of the retail industry and how to continue to evolve to stay competitive
• What Pat looks for in future leaders—and how candidates can stand out in today’s competitive environment
  
  
  

With a balance of strategic thinking, practical advice, and leadership wisdom, Pat Mooney offers a compelling view into what it takes to succeed in modern retail—while staying grounded in purpose, community, and accountability.

👉 Listen now and learn how to grow your impact, lead with intention, and navigate the future of retail.

Guest Links:

Connect with Pat Mooney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-mooney/
Explore Wakefern Food Corp.: https://www2.wakefern.com/ 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

When your company is growing fast—and your supply chain needs to grow faster—how do you build the structure, strategy, and team to keep up?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Jackie Doyle, Vice President of Supply Chain Strategy and Transformation at fairlife, about what it really means to future-proof operations while scaling a business at speed.

Jackie shares her journey from a 15-year career in industrial manufacturing to leading strategic transformation in the CPG space. She opens up about building a new team from scratch, accelerating her own career from Director to VP in just two years, and why building relationships across the business and delivering results quickly got her here. 

What You’ll Learn:

• How to build a scalable supply chain strategy that supports long-term growth
• Why early impact and strong cross-functional relationships are key to advancement
• Navigating fast-paced, high-growth environments with lean teams
• The importance of mentors, sponsors, and relationship-building—especially in male-dominated industries
• Exactly how to ask for mentorship and find those sponsors that will help grow your career
• Why company culture may be even more important than the job description
• What Jackie looks for in candidates—beyond just technical skills

Whether you're a supply chain leader, a transformation executive, or an aspiring operations professional, this episode offers valuable takeaways for building impactful careers and teams in today’s evolving CPG landscape.

🎧 Tune in now—and don’t forget to follow, review, and share with peers who are driving transformation.

Guest Links:

Jackie Doyle in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-doyle-84a43141/
Explore fairlife, LLC: https://fairlife.com/ 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it take to transform legacy retail systems into future-ready strategies—without losing sight of what matters most?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Parag Shah, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Think Blue, to explore his journey from grocery store aisles to executive boardrooms—and now to reimagining how the industry uses data, technology, and good old-fashioned merchant instinct to drive smarter growth.

Parag shares how his 25-year corporate career—from buyer to VP at Wakefern and then head of merchandising and digital at The Giant Company—shaped his belief that innovation doesn’t start with a tool or system. It starts with people who are willing to experiment, evolve, and execute with courage.

Now leading Think Blue, Parag partners with CPGs and retailers to reimagine the merchant function, transform space planning, and move beyond outdated joint business planning to unlock shared value between brands and retailers.

What You'll Learn:

• Why the merchant mindset still matters in the age of AI
• How Parag and his team led a transformation, guiding 48 board meetings over a 24-month period—with patience and persistence
• The power of inspiration and experimentation when introducing new technologies
• What retailers and CPGs need to rethink about joint business planning
• How to avoid shiny object syndrome in tech adoption
• What every professional—regardless of role—can do to stay relevant in the age of AI
  
  

With real-world stories, practical advice, and a few lessons from 48 board meetings, this episode is a must-listen for anyone leading through transformation—or hoping to. Listen now!

Guest Links:

Connect with Parag Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omnigrowthparag/
Explore Think Blue: Think Blue

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

Do you feel like you’re excelling in your role but can’t really figure out how to crack the code to get to that next level?

 In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Andrea Wasserman, Executive Coach and Founder of The Executive Express, whose career spans leadership roles at Nordstrom, Yahoo, Verizon, and more in VP and C suite roles. Andrea brings firsthand insight from both sides of the hiring table—having led high-performing teams and now coaching rising leaders to get that next big promotion.

Together, they unpack the strategies, mindsets, and subtle shifts that separate steady contributors from standout executives. From building executive presence and leading through influence to communicating strategically and advocating for your growth, Andrea shares practical, no-nonsense advice for anyone ready to take the next step in their corporate career.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why being strategic is less about adding work and more about changing how you communicate it
• How to map out key relationships across your company—and build influence without direct authority
• What style flexing is (and why you should treat coffee with finance differently than coffee with IT)
• How to prep for one-on-ones that don’t waste your time—or your boss’s
• A smarter approach to promotion and compensation conversations
• The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and how to build both
• Add a bullet point about navigating and getting the most out of corporate politics
  
  
  

Whether you're working toward your first leadership role or refining your executive edge to position yourself for a promotion, this episode offers clarity, confidence, and actionable next steps.

Guest Links:

Connect with Andrea Wasserman on LinkedIn

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

Ever wonder how someone goes from mopping café floors to leading at the executive level for two powerhouse brands?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Candace Pappas, SVP of Marketing at Blake’s Beverage Company and Blake Farms, for a no-fluff, straight-talking conversation about rising through the ranks, leading in two dynamic industries, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission.

Candace’s story is full of game-changing pivots—from starting as an AGM at Argo Tea to becoming its President & COO, leading the brand’s expansion across the U.S. and internationally. She shares how she navigated her "what’s next?" moment when she stepped away from Argo and  landed at Blake’s, and now leads a high-performing marketing team across agritainment, retail, hospitality and CPG.

If you're figuring out your next move or rethinking your leadership style, this episode is packed with takeaways.

What You’ll Learn:

• How “cans in hands” and “liquid to lips” became a brand-driving strategy
• What it really looks like to grow from the ground up inside an organization
• The story behind a cold LinkedIn message that led to a senior executive role
• Key mindset shifts for navigating acquisitions, pivots, and high-growth seasons
• How to lead with authenticity—and why it matters
• The power of curiosity in interviews, leadership, and career transitions

Whether you're leading a brand, building your own career, or just trying to figure out what’s next, Candace’s journey is a blueprint for what’s possible when you stay curious, bold, and honest about your value.

Guest Links:

Connect with Candace Pappas on LinkedIn

Learn more about Blake's Beverage Company 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it really take to build a business inside a business?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Julian Semer,  Director of In-Store Media at Albertsons, to unpack how a finance background, entrepreneurial drive, and deep curiosity led him to one of the most innovative and fast-evolving areas in retail.

Julian shares how he went from building KPI models in finance to launching an in-store media business within a Fortune 100 company. He offers clear, strategic insights into what it takes to build from the ground up, communicate complexity across stakeholders, and lead with clarity in a high-pressure environment.

What You'll Learn:

• How Julian translated a finance career into a retail media leadership role
• How anyone can design KPIs that connect strategy to execution
• Why understanding your stakeholders' goals is essential to gaining buy-in
• How to stay grounded and lead through rapid growth and change
• Why curiosity and action—not credentials—often open the right doors
• What hiring managers might miss when they rely too heavily on resumes
• How designing for what good looks like has set Julian up to build incredible systems and teams

Whether you’re building a team, launching something new, or navigating a career pivot, this episode offers real-world insight you can use right away.

Guest Links:

 Connect with Julian Semer on LinkedIn

Explore Albertsons Companies: albertsonscompanies.com/ 

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What if the career you thought you’d never pursue turned out to be exactly where you were meant to lead?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Kendra Shaw, District Director of Operations at Sprouts Farmers Market, to explore the unexpected turns, defining moments, and leadership lessons that shaped her 20+ year career in retail.

Kendra shares her journey from a small town in Indiana to leading over 1,000 employees across a fast-growing region at Sprouts. Along the way, she reflects on nearly two decades with Aldi, hard-earned lessons in corporate versus field leadership, and how she rediscovered her voice by aligning with the right culture.

With clarity and candor, Kendra breaks down what it takes to lead through people, scale a values-driven team, and build a fulfilling career without losing yourself along the way.

What You'll Learn:

• Why being “expendable” is actually a leadership strength
  
  
• The often-overlooked impact of store managers on company performance
  
  
• What it takes to scale from 4 to 52 stores—and keep culture intact
  
  
• How to know when it’s time to move on from a company you love
  
  
• The leadership values that guide hiring and growth at Sprouts
  
  
• Why “doing it for yourself” isn’t selfish—it’s essential
  
  
• Two foundational pieces of advice for anyone advancing their career
  
  
  

This episode offers real-world insight for anyone navigating a career pivot, building a team, or leading through growth in a high-performance environment.

Guest Links:

Connect with Kendra Shaw: [email protected]  or at linkedin.com/in/kendrashaw/
Explore Sprouts  Farmers Market: sprouts.com

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it take to break into digital commerce and lead one of the fastest-moving segments in retail without a traditional background?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Brooke Chambers—Ecommerce Director, Kroger —to unpack her unconventional path into retail, and the lessons that have defined her leadership ever since.

What You’ll Learn:

• What it truly means to lead a digital marketplace for a national retailer
• How to roadmap your career by anchoring to your “why”
• The importance of self-reflection and career stamina
• Practical advice for candidates—especially internal ones—on how to prepare for interviews
• How to build influence across cross-functional teams
• What to look for when hiring beyond the resume
• Why vulnerability and preparation are critical to career growth

Whether you’re navigating a career shift, building a high-performing team, or interviewing for your next move, Brooke’s insights will leave you with practical takeaways and a renewed sense of direction.

Connect with Brooke:

• Connect with Brooke Chambers on LinkedIn
• Explore careers at Kroger: thekrogerco.com/careers 

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn Hahn on:

• Instagram: @candidwithcandidates
• LinkedIn: Jenn Hahn
• Website: www.candidwithcandidates.com
  
  
  
  

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it take to lead a high-performing team in the fast-paced world of CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) while staying grounded, authentic, and purpose-driven?

In this powerful episode of Candid with Candidates, host Jenn Hahn sits down with Ashleigh Gage, Senior Director of Portfolio Development at Kellanova (formerly Kellogg Company), to unpack her remarkable 20+ year career journey in the manufacturing and consumer packaged goods space. 

From her start in Acosta’s leadership development program to navigating category management at Campbell’s and now leading cross-functional strategy at Kellanova, Ashleigh shares candid advice on leading remote teams with top results, building trust quickly in a new role or organization and staying open to advice and ideas from mentors. 

Whether you’re looking to build upon a career you've already started or make a transition, this episode is packed with honest wisdom and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss.

What you'll learn: 

• How to WIN in business through long-term trust in an industry where "people always come back together"
• Why turning your camera on is more than just etiquette, it’s leadership in a remote-first world
• How to manage career growth and motherhood with her very own 80/20 rule for her life
• Why your next opportunity may come from someone you impressed a decade ago
• How to show up to an interview without too much of the word "we" 
• Why she thinks sweeping the floor early in her career made all the difference

Connect with Ashleigh

• LinkedIn 
• Kellanova careers page

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What if your non-traditional background is the very thing that sets you apart?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, host Jenn Hahn sits down with Gabe Disbrow, President & CEO of Leever’s Supermarkets, for an open and energizing conversation about leadership, ownership, and the power of showing up with purpose, especially when the path isn't linear.

From his start in the military to his entry level role at Target, his executive roles with ALDI, and now leading a 100% employee-owned grocery chain, Gabe shares the pivotal moments, missteps, and mindset shifts that shaped his approach to business and life. 

Whether you’re eyeing your next big move or learning to lead where you are, this episode is full of gold.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to stand out in interviews and promotional conversations

The leadership shift Gabe had to make after leaving the military

• All about self-reflection and identifying your own gaps
• What it really takes to move from specialist to generalist as a President & CEO
• How Gabe used an MBA to fill a skills gap, and why he doesn't always recommend you do the same
• Practical advice on being present as a parent while holding a big title with big responsibilities

Connect with Gabe:

• Connect with Gabe Disbrow on LinkedIn
• Leever’s Supermarkets

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn