Candid With Candidates

Wondering what it takes to lead a billion-dollar, retailer-owned grocery wholesaler—and how does someone go from public accounting to the CEO seat without following a traditional executive path?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Amy Niemetscheck, President and CEO of Certco Inc., to discuss her career journey from CPA to controller, CFO, and ultimately President and CEO. Amy shares how deep financial expertise, cross-functional curiosity, and a commitment to understanding the full business prepared her to lead a complex organization owned by more than 200 independent grocery retailers.

Amy gives a behind-the-scenes look at executive leadership, including what her role looks like day to day, how strategic priorities are shaped in a cooperative model, and why accountability and trust within an executive team are essential for long-term success. She also dives into the value of industry involvement, board service, and peer networks, and how these help her stay informed, effective, and ready to seize new opportunities. 

In this episode, we explore:

• The unique structure and strategic advantages of a retailer-owned grocery wholesaler
  
  
  
• How financial leadership can translate into enterprise-wide executive responsibility
  
  
  
• Why understanding the broader business—not just your functional role—accelerates career growth
  
  
  
• What effective CEO leadership looks like in practice, not theory
  
  
  
• Building strong executive teams through clarity, accountability, and trust
  
  
  
• Staying strategically focused while managing operational demands
  
  
  
• Leading at a high level while remaining present for family and personal priorities

This conversation offers thoughtful insight for professionals at any stage of their career—especially those navigating cross-functional growth, preparing for executive leadership, or seeking a deeper understanding of what it truly takes to lead at the highest level—and deciding whether they love the job—or the company.

🎧 Listen now to gain a practical perspective on leadership, strategy, and building a career that evolves with the business.

Guest Links:

Connect with Amy Niemetscheck on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-niemetscheck-925aa110/
Explore Certco, Inc.: https://certcoinc.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

After 24 Years in Retail, Aaron Gottlieb Says Career Growth Starts in the Field—Not the Office.

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Aaron Gottlieb, Executive Vice President of New Business Development for Retailer & Experiential Services at Advantage Solutions and President of Daymon Japan, to explore a career shaped by intentional moves, cross-functional experience, and a commitment to understanding how businesses truly operate.

Aaron shares how an early piece of advice—to leave corporate headquarters and gain field experience—fundamentally changed his perspective and accelerated his career. He also reflects on the importance of taking ownership, building a strong professional brand, and continuously seeking opportunities to grow.

Drawing on decades of experience across global retail, brands, and service organizations, Aaron offers thoughtful insight into:

• Why career ownership is essential for long-term growth and leadership development
• The value of cross-functional experience in building effective, empathetic leaders
• How to navigate change and uncertainty with agility and resilience
• The importance of aligning strategy with in-store execution to drive real results
• How to approach difficult decisions and learn from leadership missteps
• What differentiates high-performing candidates in today’s competitive environment
• Why curiosity, preparation, and mindset matter as much as experience in interviews
• The growing role of AI as a tool for accelerating insight and decision-making

Aaron also shares his perspective on the evolving retail landscape, including the continued importance of the in-store experience and the opportunity for organizations to better connect strategy with execution.

Whether you’re an emerging leader, experienced professional, or navigating your next career move, this episode offers practical guidance on leadership, adaptability, and building a meaningful career.

🎧 Listen now and gain insight into leadership, growth, and building a career with lasting impact.

Guest Links:

Connect with Aaron Gottlieb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajgottlieb/
Explore Advantage Solutions: https://youradv.com/
Explore Daymon Japan: https://daymon.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 truly take to step into a CEO role—and how do you build a career that prepares you for that level of leadership?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Kristi Ross, CEO of Three Dog Brands, joins Jenn Hahn for a thoughtful conversation on executive leadership, career progression, and driving growth within a private equity-backed organization.

As CEO of Three Dog Brands, Kristi shares her journey from marketing and sales leadership to her first CEO role, offering insight into how diverse experiences, strategic decision-making, and strong networks contributed to her career advancement. She also provides a clear view into the realities of leading a scaling business—balancing long-term vision with operational execution.

In this episode, Kristi discusses:

• What the CEO role looks like in practice, including operational and strategic responsibilities
• How to transition from functional leadership into enterprise-wide decision-making
• The differences between large, structured organizations and private equity-backed companies
• Why speed and adaptability are critical in high-growth environments
• The value of cross-functional experience in preparing for executive leadership
• How to assess opportunities based on strengths, values, and long-term goals
• The role of mentorship and networking in career development
• Building a culture that supports both performance and sustainability

Kristi also reflects on the importance of trusting your instincts, making intentional career moves, and developing the confidence to pursue leadership opportunities—even when the path is not linear.

Whether you are an emerging leader, a seasoned professional considering your next step, or someone interested in the dynamics of executive leadership within private equity, this episode offers practical insights and actionable guidance.

🎧 Listen now and gain insight into leadership, growth, and building a career with lasting impact.

Guest Links:

Connect with Kristi Ross: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristidross/
Explore Three Dog Brands: https://threedog.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 build a long-term career in grocery retail—and ultimately step into the President & CEO role?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Ryan Adams, President & CEO of Gelson's Markets, to discuss his career journey from entry-level store roles to leading a premium regional grocery organization. With more than 25 years of experience across large national retailers and independent operations, Ryan shares the key decisions, challenges, and leadership principles that shaped his path to the C-suite.

Ryan provides a clear and practical perspective on executive leadership, highlighting the importance of balancing strategic thinking with operational execution, aligning teams around a shared vision, and maintaining focus on enterprise-wide impact.

Throughout the conversation, he shares insights on:

• What the President & CEO role looks like on a day-to-day basis
• Why embracing discomfort is critical to long-term career growth
• How authenticity and storytelling can differentiate candidates in interviews
• The importance of excelling in your current role while preparing for future opportunities
• How cross-functional experience and lateral moves contribute to leadership development
• The value of mentorship, continuous learning, and professional networks
• Why effective leadership requires humility, curiosity, and collaboration

Ryan also reflects on the importance of community in both leadership and business. He shares how his approach extends beyond serving customers to include building strong internal teams and fostering meaningful partnerships across the industry. His commitment to developing people is centered on creating environments where individuals feel supported, encouraged to ask questions, and empowered to grow—ultimately strengthening organizational performance and long-term success.

Whether you're an emerging leader, a retail professional, or someone aspiring to executive leadership, this episode offers practical, experience-based guidance on navigating career growth and leading with purpose.

🎧 Listen now and gain insight into leadership, growth, and building a career with lasting impact.

Guest Links:

Connect with Ryan Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-adams-50aa5341/
Explore Gelson's Markets: https://www.gelsons.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

Behind every compliant supplier file and traceable product movement is a disciplined system—and a leader ensuring it works.

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Ann Visser-Depp, Food Industry Leader and Partner at ReposiTrak, about a professional journey that spans hospitality, accounting, procurement, executive leadership, and now food safety and compliance strategy across the grocery supply chain.

Ann reflects on her unconventional path from high school cashier to vice president, and ultimately to the vendor side of the industry. Rather than following a linear trajectory, her growth was shaped by curiosity, mentorship, operational rigor, and a willingness to pursue opportunity over title.

Jenn and Ann explore several critical themes relevant to today’s retail and wholesale leaders:

• The strategic value of early career experiences in hospitality and operations
  
  
• The importance of securing entry into an organization and building credibility from within
  
  
• How internal reputation and cross-functional visibility influence promotion decisions
  
  
• Why food safety must be treated as an enterprise-wide discipline, not a siloed function
  
  
• The cultural role executive leadership plays in establishing accountability around compliance
  
  
• Lessons in leadership development, including the need to slow down, ask better questions, and create space for dialogue
  
  
• Practical advice for candidates on preparation, strategic thinking, and professional follow-up
  
  
  

Ann also provides thoughtful insight into the growing complexity of regulatory environments, including traceability and supply chain compliance. She emphasizes that food safety is not merely a regulatory requirement, but a foundational business responsibility that affects procurement, operations, information technology, merchandising, and executive leadership alike.

For professionals seeking advancement, this episode offers clear guidance: understand how the business makes money, think beyond task execution, prepare rigorously, and demonstrate alignment with organizational culture and purpose.

Whether you are an emerging leader, an executive navigating cross-functional complexity, or a candidate preparing for your next opportunity, this episode is for you.

🎧Listen now to gain practical insight into building influence, leading with intention, and positioning yourself for long-term impact in the grocery industry.

Guest Links:

Connect with Ann Visser-Depp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-visser-depp-633b39163/
Explore ReposiTrak: http://www.repositrak.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 build a four-decade leadership career in one of the most complex and competitive industries in retail—without a traditional corporate path?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Larree Renda, retired Executive Vice President of Safeway, Inc., to discuss her remarkable career journey—from starting as a grocery bagger at age 16 to ultimately overseeing major corporate functions supporting nearly 4,000 stores across North America.

Larree shares how resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning helped her rise through the ranks of a Fortune 500 company during a time when executive leadership in grocery retail was overwhelmingly male-dominated. Along the way, she led critical areas including retail operations, human resources, manufacturing, distribution, labor relations, and public affairs.

Throughout the conversation, Larree reflects on pivotal leadership moments—from stepping into roles outside her comfort zone to launching the Safeway Foundation, an initiative that ultimately generated hundreds of millions of dollars annually for community causes and cancer research.

With 40 years of executive experience, Larree offers a thoughtful perspective on leadership, career development, and the mindset required to grow into increasingly complex roles.

In this episode, Larree shares insight into:

• Building a career at Safeway that began with a part-time job at age 16
  
  
  
• Leading operations across 4,000+ stores in North America
  
  
  
• Why curiosity and continuous learning are essential leadership traits
  
  
  
• The creation and long-term impact of the Safeway Foundation
  
  
  
• Navigating executive leadership while raising a family
  
  
  
• A practical framework for aligning personal strengths with organizational needs
  
  
  
• Why courage is often the defining trait separating strong leaders from the rest
  
  
  

Whether you are an emerging leader, a retail professional, or someone navigating the transition into more senior roles, this episode provides practical insight into leadership growth, decision-making, and building a meaningful career over time.

🎧 Listen now to hear how resilience, curiosity, and courageous leadership can shape a lasting impact in both business and community.

Guest Links:

Connect with Larree Renda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larree-renda-33998799/
Explore Safeway, Inc.:https://www.safeway.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

Sustainable success in business rarely comes down to strategy alone. More often, it is culture—the behaviors, expectations, and leadership standards inside an organization—that determines long-term performance.

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with James D. White, a 30-year operating executive whose career spans consumer packaged goods, retail, restaurants, and more than two decades in the boardroom.

James has held leadership roles at organizations including The Coca-Cola Company, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Gillette, and Safeway. He later became CEO of Jamba Juice in 2008—during the Great Recession—where he led a successful turnaround that resulted in a 500% increase in market capitalization during his tenure.

In this conversation, James discusses:

• Transitioning from senior executive to first-time CEO in a turnaround environment
  
  
• How culture drives measurable financial performance
  
  
• Why curiosity and leadership capacity outweigh narrow technical expertise
  
  
• How to successfully navigate cross-industry career transitions
  
  
• The role empathy plays in modern executive leadership
  
  
• Practical steps to prepare for a board career
  
  
• Why continuous learning is essential for executive longevity
  
  
• How AI will reshape leadership—and why human empathy remains critical
  
  
• Candid advice for candidates preparing for their next step
  
  
  

Today, James serves on six public and private company boards, chairs one, and leads a nonprofit Directors Academy focused on preparing the next generation of board leaders. He is also the co-author of Culture Design: How to Build High-Performing, Resilient Organizations with Purpose, written alongside his daughter, Krista.

Whether you are aspiring to executive leadership, exploring board opportunities, or seeking to strengthen your organization’s culture, this episode offers practical, experience-backed guidance on building teams that perform—and careers that endure.

🎧 Listen now to learn how intentional culture, continuous learning, and authentic leadership can transform not just companies—but the leaders behind them.

Guest Links:

Connect with James D White: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-d-white-086ab2153/
Explore The Honest Company: https://www.honest.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 successfully scale a CPG brand in today’s complex retail environment—without overspending on talent or sacrificing strategy?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Robert Fascia, Owner of Vandelay Strategies, and Tommy Renda, President of TCR Consulting and Partner at Vandelay Strategies, to discuss how fractional sales and strategy leadership can deliver an outsized impact for emerging and growing CPG brands.

Drawing from decades of combined experience across retail, merchandising, finance, and vendor leadership, Robert and Tommy shared how they partner with brands as fractional VPs of Sales and Strategy—bringing structure, clarity, and execution to companies navigating retail expansion, turnaround situations, and category placement decisions.

They explore the realities of modern retail, the importance of broker and buyer relationships, and why thoughtful strategy must precede scale. Robert and Tommy also reflect on their own non-linear career paths, the lessons learned from working on both sides of the table, and how strong leadership, humility, and work ethic continue to shape long-term success.

Key topics include:

• Why strategy is the foundation of every successful CPG brand
  
  
  
• How fractional leadership can reduce cost while increasing effectiveness
  
  
  
• The risks of short-term retail decisions and their long-term implications
  
  
  
• Scaling legacy and emerging brands across regional and national footprints
  
  
  
• Career lessons from transitioning between retail, finance, and vendor roles
  
  
  
• What hiring leaders truly look for in candidates entering the industry
  
  
  

Whether you’re a CPG founder, retail professional, or leader navigating growth and change, this episode offers practical insight into building sustainable strategies—and careers—in an evolving industry.

🎧 Listen now to gain a clearer perspective on CPG growth, strategic leadership, and the career decisions that drive lasting impact.

Guest Links:

Connect with Robert Fascia on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-fascia-6b503a11
Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Tommy Renda on:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-renda-8714652a/
Email: [email protected] 

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 one of the largest retail markets at PepsiCo while staying grounded, authentic, and energized?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Jackie LaPointe, Director of Retail for PepsiCo’s Southwest Market, to explore her career journey and leadership approach behind a $500M+ business spanning Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas.

Jackie shares how her career began with hands-on sales roles at Boston Beer Company, why leaving a company she loved was one of the most difficult—but necessary—decisions she made, and how embracing opportunities before feeling fully ready helped accelerate her growth. She also reflects on how her mindset as an endurance athlete translates directly into her leadership style: consistency, resilience, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Throughout the conversation, Jackie offers thoughtful insight into:

• What leading commercial strategy at scale truly looks like day to day
  
  
• Why authenticity is a leadership advantage, not a buzzword
  
  
• Building high-performing teams while strengthening customer partnerships
  
  
• The importance of industry involvement, mentorship, and professional networks
  
  
• How to balance ambition, people development, and business results
  
  
  

Whether you’re an emerging leader, a CPG or retail professional, or someone navigating the next stage of career growth, this episode delivers practical perspective on leadership, career mobility, and long-term success.

🎧 Listen now to learn how intentional leadership, strong relationships, and staying true to yourself can shape both a business and a career.

Guest Links:

Connect with Jackie LaPointe : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackielapointe/
Explore PepsiCo : https://www.pepsico.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 build a successful career in an industry that didn’t even exist when you started—and to continue evolving as the business scales, transforms, and accelerates?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Mark Heitke, Head of Commerce Media Strategy at Symbiosis, a DoorDash company, to explore his unconventional career journey and the leadership lessons gained along the way. From studying film and learning to code, to helping build Best Buy Ads into a leading retail media organization, to joining a 17-person startup that was ultimately acquired by DoorDash, Mark shares how adaptability, curiosity, and honest self-assessment shaped his path.

Mark offers a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of retail and commerce media, the realities of leading through constant change, and the personal shifts required when moving from large-scale corporate environments to fast-moving startups—and back into a global tech organization.

Key topics include:

• How retail media emerged and scaled before it had a formal identity
  
  
• Leading teams through ambiguity, pressure, and organizational change
  
  
• Navigating the transition from enterprise environments to early-stage startups
  
  
• The difference between ownership, influence, and leadership at scale
  
  
• Redefining work-life balance as alignment across career and family
  
  
• Why honesty—about what you want and how you work—matters in interviews and leadership
  
  
  

Whether you are an executive, emerging leader, or professional considering your next career move, this episode delivers thoughtful insights on leadership, growth, and building a career aligned with both ambition and reality.

🎧 Listen now to learn how clarity, adaptability, and purpose can drive both career success and organizational impact.

Guest Links:

Connect with Mark Heitke : https://www.linkedin.com/in/markheitke/
Explore DoorDash : https://careersatdoordash.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