In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Brenna Garrett, Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Sysco, to explore how leadership, culture, and innovation are shaping the future of food distribution.

Brenna shares her journey from retail at Macy’s to leading one of the largest global foodservice organizations, offering a fresh perspective on why foodservice is still a “young” and rapidly evolving industry. She breaks down how strong culture drives high-performance teams, why trust is the foundation of success, and how leaders must consistently reinforce vision and expectations.

From navigating supply chain complexity to embracing AI as a tool — not a crutch — this conversation dives deep into the balance between technology and human connection in a relationship-driven industry.

You’ll also hear powerful leadership lessons on saying yes to new opportunities, learning from frontline employees, breaking down silos in large organizations, and why internal partnerships are just as critical as external ones.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to build resilient teams, foster innovation, and lead with clarity in a fast-moving industry.

Topics Covered:
👉 Why culture matters more than strategy in leadership
👉 Building high-performance teams through trust & consistency
👉 Transitioning from retail to food distribution leadership
👉 Why foodservice is still a “young” and evolving industry
👉 Lessons from sports on team chemistry & culture
👉 Using AI as a leadership tool — not a replacement
👉 Balancing technology with human relationships
👉 The importance of internal vs. external partnerships
👉 Breaking down silos in large organizations
👉 Leading through change with clear vision & messaging
👉 Career growth: why saying “yes” creates opportunity
👉 The value of frontline experience (drivers, warehouse teams)
👉 Leadership development through books, podcasts & learning
👉 Creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
👉 Staying calm, focused, and consistent as a leader

🌐 Learn more about Sysco: https://www.sysco.com/
🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/
🌐 About IFDA: https://ifdaonline.org/

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Dick Tracy, CEO of Dot Foods, to explore how culture, servant leadership, and trust drive long-term success in foodservice distribution.

As a second-generation leader of one of the largest food industry redistributors in North America, Dick shares how Dot Foods has built a people-first culture that serves as a true competitive advantage — especially during times of crisis and change.

From leadership development and mentorship… to creating an environment employees want to be part of… to embracing technology and AI without losing the human element — this conversation is packed with actionable insights for modern leaders.

You’ll hear how strong culture is tested during challenges, why trust is the foundation of great partnerships, and how servant leadership can transform teams and performance.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders focused on building resilient teams, scaling culture, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Topics Covered:

👉 Why culture is a true competitive advantage in business
👉 What servant leadership looks like in action
👉 How to build a workplace employees don’t want to leave
👉 The role of mentorship & leadership development programs
👉 How to measure and maintain a strong company culture
👉 Why “boomerang employees” are a sign of success
👉 Building trust-driven partnerships that last
👉 Playing the long game in business vs. short-term wins
👉 Embracing AI & technology in food distribution
👉 Why failure and experimentation drive innovation
👉 Leadership mindset: positivity, perspective & resilience
👉 Dick’s leadership philosophy: being a “matchmaker” of talent

Timestamps:

00:00 What Does Culture Mean to You as a Leader?
00:23 Why Culture is a Competitive Advantage
01:14 Welcome to Crave + Intro
02:26 Dick Tracy’s Journey at Dot Foods
03:42 Defining Culture: Actions vs. Words
05:10 Building a People-First Workplace
07:06 Measuring & Maintaining Culture
10:04 Why Employees Leave — and Come Back
11:18 Culture After COVID & Workplace Shifts
12:58 Listening to Employees: Surveys + Roundtables
14:05 Culture in Times of Crisis
15:17 Observing Culture Through Behavior
16:05 Hiring for Character & Servant Leadership
17:19 Leadership Development & Mentorship Programs
18:46 Creating Teams That Go “All In”
19:09 Building Strong Business Partnerships
20:09 Trust, Transparency & Shared Growth
21:28 Non-Negotiables in Partnerships
23:19 Playing the Long Game in Business
25:00 Strategy, Patience & Leadership Decisions
26:01 Technology in Distribution: Challenges & Opportunities
27:24 AI, Innovation & Experimentation
28:43 Building a Culture That Embraces Change
30:12 Why the Food Industry is Full of Opportunity
31:32 Leadership Word: “Matchmaker”
32:46 Leadership, Perspective & Staying Positive
34:23 Final Thoughts on Leadership & Growth

🌐 Learn more about Dot Foods: https://www.dotfoods.com/
🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/
🌐 About IFDA: https://ifdaonline.org/

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this special episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with industry leaders to share a major announcement from IFDA and unpack how collaboration, networking, and cross-functional leadership can transform organizations across foodservice distribution.

Guests Angie Dark  and Aaron Kerkhoff discuss why bringing sales, operations, marketing, transportation, and leadership together in one room in San Antonio can break down silos, spark innovation, and create powerful “aha” moments that drive measurable business growth.

From mentorship stories and customer experience strategies inspired by brands like Disney and Chick-fil-A, to practical examples of ideas implemented after conferences, this episode highlights why investing in people, learning, and industry community is one of the fastest ways to accelerate results and retention.

Whether you’re a distributor, operator, manufacturer, or emerging leader, this conversation will help you rethink collaboration, leadership development, and the true power of industry connection.

Topics Covered

👉 The big IFDA conference announcement
👉 Breaking down silos between departments
👉 Why cross-functional collaboration multiplies results
👉 How conferences create real business wins
👉 Mentorship and networking that accelerate careers
👉 Retaining employees through professional development
👉 Customer experience strategies that build loyalty
👉 Generational communication in today’s workforce
👉 Turning insights into actionable business changes

Timestamps

00:00 Special Announcement + Guest Introductions
01:34 Why People Love the Foodservice Industry
04:17 Major IFDA Conference Reveal
05:23 Breaking Down Organizational Silos
08:22 Networking That Drives Growth
10:48 Turning Insights Into Strategy
12:07 Mentorship Stories That Changed Careers
15:47 Real Examples of Ideas Implemented
17:55 Generational Communication Insights
19:10 Leadership Perspective Shifts
21:12 Why Investing in Learning Matters
22:12 Retention Through Employee Development

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

As Crave enters Season 2, host Julien LeBlanc opens the year with a powerful leadership reset — reflecting on the biggest insights from 2025 and laying the mindset foundation for success in 2026.

This solo episode distills lessons from industry leaders across foodservice distribution into 10 critical leadership insights covering culture, trust, collaboration, habits, mindset, experience, systems, and change leadership.

From building psychologically safe teams… to creating clarity across your organization… to designing habits that drive consistency — this episode is a must-listen for distributors, manufacturers, operators, and emerging leaders looking to grow stronger teams and more resilient businesses.

If your goal is to become 1% better every day, this episode will give you the frameworks to make 2026 your most intentional, disciplined, and impactful year yet.

Topics Covered

👉 What “culture” really means beyond words on a wall
👉 Why trust scales faster than strategy
👉 The Stockdale Paradox & navigating uncertainty with clarity
👉 Collaboration as a true growth strategy
👉 How to create psychological safety on your teams
👉 Understanding your full value chain & customer experience
👉 Why experience is your brand
👉 Systems, habits & consistency that drive performance
👉 Making Mondays better: building cultures people want to belong to
👉 Change leadership, clarity & 2026 mindset shifts

Timestamps

00:00 Why Now Is the Right Time for Crave
00:59 Welcome to Season 2 + 2025 Recap
02:01 The 10 Leadership Insights Framework
03:07 Mindset, Reality & the Stockdale Paradox
06:07 Why Leadership Confidence Matters
07:19 Rally Cries, Clarity & Alignment
08:38 Collaboration & Clarity as Growth Strategy
10:49 Trust, Psychological Safety & High-Performing Teams
12:51 Understanding the Full Value Chain
14:06 Building Culture That Makes Mondays Better
15:00 Mentorship, Habits & End-in-Mind Thinking
17:02 Experience Is Your Brand
18:40 Habits, Systems & Consistency
19:32 Culture Through Standards, Not Slogans
21:31 Leading Change in 2026
22:33 Final Challenge & Season 2 Outlook

Like, comment & subscribe for more leadership conversations from across the foodservice distribution world.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julianna Blau sits down with Paul Saval, President & CEO of Saval Foodservice, a fourth-generation leader who has spent more than 40 years shaping culture, driving innovation, and navigating the evolving landscape of foodservice distribution.

Paul shares a candid look at the principles that guide his leadership — from building a conscious, values-based culture… to staying customer-obsessed… to transforming crisis into opportunity.

You’ll hear powerful stories about perseverance during COVID, generational transitions, partnerships rooted in trust, and why leaders must balance patience, persistence, empathy, and accountability.

This is a masterclass in modern leadership, resilience, and leading people-first organizations in a fast-changing world.

Topics Covered:

👉 What “culture” really means in a family-run distribution business
👉 The power of conscious leadership: responsibility, integrity & emotional mastery
👉 How Saval centers drivers as the heart of the customer experience
👉 What most companies miss during mergers & acquisitions
👉 How COVID transformed Saval’s purpose, partnerships & community impact
👉 Generational leadership: balancing tradition with innovation
👉 Why leaders must be learners: listening, evolving & adapting
👉 Decision-making speed vs. scale: small distributor advantages
👉 Technology, AI & preparing for the next wave of efficiency
👉 Patience + Persistence: Paul’s two-word leadership philosophy

🌐 Learn more about Saval Foodservice: https://www.savalfoods.com/
🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/
🌐 About IFDA: https://ifdaonline.org/

Like, comment & subscribe for more leadership conversations from across the foodservice distribution world.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, we sit down with René Diaz, President & CEO of Diaz Foods, a multigenerational food-distribution leader with a remarkable story grounded in grit, gratitude, and giving back.

From immigrating to the U.S. with nothing… to running one of the most respected Hispanic food companies in America, René shares the principles that shaped him: consistency, service, culture, and community impact.

We explore how Diaz Foods blends family values, hard work, and data-driven innovation — and why empathy, discipline, and cultural pride still win in a fast-moving market.

This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and the power of showing up.

Topics Covered:

• Growing from a small family grocery store to a major distributor
• Why consistency beats talent — every time
• Mentorship, community leadership & paying it forward
• The value of culture, diversity & shared tables
• Balancing empathy with accountability
• Partnership lessons: from handshake deals to AI-powered pricing
• Robotics, automation & the future of distribution
• How food — and family — build stronger communities
• “Yes, it's possible”: a mindset that transforms careers

More about this episode: 

Learn more about Diaz Foods: https://www.diazfoods.com/

Like, comment & subscribe for more powerful leadership conversations from across the food-service distribution world.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this special live edition of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, recorded at the IFDA Solutions Conference, industry leaders share powerful insights on leadership, workforce development, technology, and the future of foodservice distribution.

Mani Kulasooriya, Co-Founder and CEO of Cut+Dry, on how AI and data can unlock growth, efficiency, and new revenue streams across the foodservice supply chain.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this special live edition of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, recorded at the IFDA Solutions Conference, industry leaders share powerful insights on leadership, workforce development, technology, and the future of foodservice distribution.

Rob Ulsh, VP of Distributor & National Fleet Sales at Great Dane, on the evolving role of fleet solutions in distribution

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this special live edition of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, recorded at the IFDA Solutions Conference, industry leaders share powerful insights on leadership, workforce development, technology, and the future of foodservice distribution.

Aaron Kerkhoff, GM of Supply Chain at Kohl Wholesale and incoming Solutions Council Chair, on leadership in supply chain and industry engagement.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

In this special live edition of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, recorded at the IFDA Solutions Conference, industry leaders share powerful insights on leadership, workforce development, technology, and the future of foodservice distribution.

Jillian McLaughlin, EQ Leadership Coach at McLaughlin Mentoring, on the four emotional intelligence skills every leader needs to future-proof their career.

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/