Next Generation Leadership Program Class
Meet NFRA’s First Penguin Next Generation Leadership Class of 2025! Discover the rising stars reshaping the future of frozen and refrigerated consumer packaged goods and retail in our exclusive showcase below.
Samantha Beam, Commercial Development Manager
Nestlé USA
Samantha serves as a Commercial Development Manager on the frozen snacking business for Nestlé USA. She has developed her career in the CPG industry with foodservice and retail experience in sales, category, and strategy. In her spare time, Samantha performs as a cellist with a local symphony and quartet, and enjoys running and reading. She resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband Jesse and their pets.
Cody Besgrove, Senior Analyst
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG)
Cody provides bi-weekly forecast recommendations to buyers and leads seasonal forecasting initiatives at AWG. He joined the company in 2017 as a buyer, managing Frozen Food and Dry Grocery before transitioning to Dairy in 2019, where he achieved a 50% reduction in salvage. Prior to AWG, Cody served as a store manager for Moser Foods. He is married with three children and enjoys watching sports, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Eddy Birth, Broker Manager – Large Outlet West
Mars Ice Cream
Eddy manages broker relationships for Mars Ice Cream’s Large Outlet West division, Giant Eagle, and the Natural Channel. His career began as a Category Management Intern at Wrigley in 2015, progressing through roles in Territory Sales, Category Analysis, and Sales Operations. His experience includes expertise in Nielsen analytics, category line reviews, and sales operations management.
Navdeep (Navi) Bola, Sr. Manager, Product Development – Own Brands (Dairy, Refrigerated, Frozen)
Albertsons Companies Inc.
Navi leads product development for Albertsons Companies’ Own Brands in the dairy, refrigerated, and frozen categories. With a strong foundation in food science, she has been with Albertsons for 6 years. Originally from Punjab, India, Navi has been a Bay Area resident for 13 years and is guided by a passion for learning and sharing knowledge.
Stevie Bryk, Sr. Market Research Development Analyst
Schneider National
Stevie leads Schneider’s Dedicated Temp Transportation Vertical as a Sr. Market Research & Development Analyst. During her 14 years with the company, she has gained experience across Sales, Operations and Management in Brokerage, Bulk and Dedicated transportation. From Schererville, IN, Stevie enjoys spending time at baseball fields with her kids and coaching her son’s basketball team.
Ryan Busse, Account Executive
Palermo Villa Inc.
Ryan oversees several retailer customer accounts for Palermo Villa, focusing on customer relationships, understanding needs and pain points, and offering solutions. Since joining the company in 2017, he has held various positions including Special Events, Stewardship, and Marketing Coordinator before advancing to Account Executive in 2024. His diverse experience has made him an all-around resource with comprehensive knowledge of the company’s operations.
Tony D. Caloroso, Business Development Manager
Schraad Sales & Marketing
Tony is an experienced Food Broker who manages and executes strategic business plans for over 30 manufacturers annually, covering more than 1,000 unique SKUs across various grocery categories. His expertise includes strategic business planning, cross-functional communication, category management, new product launches, and relationship management with clients and retailers. He specializes in developing and expanding emerging CPG brands within the grocery industry.
Conor Carpenter, Senior Brand Manager
Kellanova
Conor serves as the Senior Brand Manager for Eggo at Kellanova. After graduating from Western Michigan University, he began his career at Kellogg’s in sales before transitioning to marketing, where he has held various roles across several brands including Pop-Tarts and MorningStar Farms. Originally from Michigan, he now resides in Chicago.
Paula Colatriano, Account Executive
JOH
Paula helps frozen and dairy brands grow their presence in the NY Metro market as an Account Executive at JOH. She manages a diverse portfolio of clients and works directly with Wakefern to launch new products, optimize placement, and drive sales. Paula has participated in numerous industry leadership programs, including the St. Joe’s Future Food Industry Leaders program. She leverages data, strategy, and collaboration to drive growth and innovation in the frozen and dairy space.
Michael Crawford, National Account Manager
Rich Products
Michael has been a National Account Manager with Rich Products for 11 years, focusing on the Kroger account since moving to Cincinnati in 2014. He has spent his entire 13-year career in the CPG industry with Rich Products Corporation. Michael holds an MBA from the University of Cincinnati (2022) and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia (2011). Originally from St. Simons Island, GA, he enjoys watching Georgia football and playing golf and tennis.
Grace Donnelly, Business Manager
Acosta
Grace manages Danone and Horizon Organic brands on the Harris Teeter Team at Acosta, handling over $65M in sales. She joined the company in 2021 through the Leadership Development Program, gaining experience in Sales, Marketing, and Business Intelligence. Grace holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Miami University, where she worked on multiple CPG-focused case studies and projects for companies like Kroger and Nielsen.
Jeremiah Freeman, Dairy Manager/Assistant Store Manager
Babbs Supermarket
Jeremiah oversees the dairy department at Babbs Supermarket, where he has increased sales by 16% while maintaining COVID-19 growth levels. He began his grocery career with Babbs in 2005 and was promoted to his current position in 2019. Known for being goal-oriented and teamwork focused, Jeremiah has experience leading small teams. In his free time, he runs D&D games, officiates roller derby, and cares for his three dogs and one cat.
Peter Fulton, Senior Sales Manager
Lactalis Retail Dairy
Peter manages key accounts from Maine to Georgia for Lactalis Retail Dairy, focusing on strategic East Coast retailers. With over 14 years of experience in the CPG industry, including previous roles at Acosta and Delhaize, he specializes in solution-based selling that delivers top and bottom-line results. Peter holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in investment analysis. He resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife and two daughters.
Armin Hadziomerovic, Category Manager
Houchens Food Group
Armin leverages his expertise across multiple categories to drive growth and innovation at Houchens Food Group. With a passion for understanding market trends and delivering value, he plays a key role in shaping product strategies and ensuring the best offerings for customers.
Tyler Harvey, Regional Sales Manager
Dairy Farmers of America
Tyler manages DFA’s Cheese, Butter, and Cultured businesses as a Regional Sales Manager, a position he has held for over two years. Previously, he spent almost 10 years with Post Consumer Brands managing their portfolio across many key retailers and accounts. Originally from Baton Rouge, LA, Tyler still lives there with his wife Heather and their two young children. The family enjoys LSU sports, attending games, and tailgating.
Lisa Heard, Brand Manager
InnovAsian Cuisine
Lisa oversees the InnovAsian and Del Corazón frozen food brands at InnovAsian Cuisine. After spending a decade in New York working in brand and product marketing roles within the beauty and jewelry industries, she returned to her native Seattle area to join InnovAsian. Lisa holds both a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Washington State University and is excited about the learning and networking opportunities offered by the NFRA’s First Penguin Next Generation Leadership Program.
Jasmine Herazo, Account Executive
Quirch Foods
Jasmine develops and executes strategies for Quirch Foods’ customers, drawing on her background in the food industry that began in her family’s Mexican restaurant. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, she spent eight years at Daymon, advancing to Business Manager overseeing key categories for Southeastern Grocers. In her current role, she applies her knowledge of food distribution, supply chain management, and market strategy. Jasmine lives in Florida with her husband Carlos and their two young children.
Alexis Herbert, Business Manager
Daymon Worldwide
Alexis supports suppliers and retailer partners in the frozen and dairy categories at Daymon, primarily working with the Ahold Delhaize account and more recently supporting Daymon’s MDI account. She joined the company after graduating from Western Michigan University’s Food Marketing program. Alexis serves as co-chair on the Junior Board of Directors for Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence (WISE) and is active in university recruitment efforts.
Casey Hom, Director, Business Planning
The Coca-Cola Company
Casey oversees annual business planning and manages the deployment of trade dollars for the warehouse route to market at The Coca-Cola Company. His portfolio includes iconic brands such as Simply, Minute Maid, Gold Peak, Honest Kids, Hi-C, Dunkin, Costa, and Fairlife. Casey brings expertise in commercializing innovative products, developing go-to-market strategies, forecasting, and pricing architecture. A graduate of Texas A&M University, he enjoys playing golf, traveling, and spending time with his son Preston and daughter Charlie.
Sandra Horn, Director of Sales Development – Perishables
CA Ferolie
Sandra oversees the Perishables business across Metro NY at CA Ferolie, including Dairy, Frozen, Meat, Seafood, Deli, Bakery and Produce Departments. With over 12 years of experience in the food industry, she began her career at Wakefern Food Corp., progressing through roles in Category Management and Shopper Marketing. Sandra holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Monmouth University. She resides in New Jersey with her husband Kevin, daughter Gabriella, and her Pomsky, Brunella.
Peggy Jackson, Director of Brand Marketing
Simek’s
Peggy leads brand marketing at Simek’s, a purpose-driven frozen food brand. Since joining in 2018, she has played a key role in expanding Simek’s from a regional Midwest brand to a national presence, contributing to its recognition on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list for two consecutive years. Peggy led a successful rebrand in 2021 and the national expansion into Whole Foods Market. She also oversees partnerships with Feeding America and rePurpose Global, which has enabled Simek’s to become certified plastic neutral.
Shane Jacobson, Senior Category Manager – Frozen
Associated Food Stores
Shane manages the Frozen categories for Associated Food Stores, where he has worked for nine years. He grew up as an independent retailer with his parents owning their store in Southeast Idaho for 30 years. Shane holds a bachelor’s degree from BYU-Idaho in Business Management and Finance. He has been married for 12 years and has three children. His family enjoys camping, sports, and movies, and Shane is an avid Indiana University fan.
Natalie Larson, Manager, Strategic Partnerships
United States Cold Storage
Natalie manages Strategic Partnerships and oversees the Customer Experiences team at United States Cold Storage. With nearly eight years in the cold chain industry, she specializes in client relationships, supply chain optimization, and driving business growth. Her experience includes working with top food brands, negotiating contracts, and implementing efficiency solutions. Natalie is an avid runner and is currently pursuing her MBA at Saint Joseph’s University.
Kim Larsson, Director of Sales
Painterland Sisters
Kim brings over 15 years of CPG experience to Painterland Sisters, including 12+ years on the retailer side before transitioning to brands. This dual perspective enables her to understand both retailer needs and effective brand positioning. Her expertise extends beyond sales to marketing, operations, and finance, allowing her to develop strategies that drive revenue while ensuring sustainable growth. Kim is passionate about scaling mission-driven brands that make an impact in the CPG industry.
Daniel Menkens, Sr. Director of Sales – Albertsons Team
Alliance Sales & Marketing
Daniel leads the Albertsons Companies sales team at Alliance Sales and Marketing. His career in food sales and marketing began with an internship at Fred Meyer’s Service Deli while studying at Portland State University’s Food Industry Retail Management Program. His professional journey has included roles at a food manufacturer, an importer, and DPI Specialty Foods. Daniel resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with his partner, Robert, and their English Cream Golden Retriever, Buca.
Anne Wallis Nelson, Associate Marketing Manager – Digital
The Pictsweet Company
Anne Wallis manages social media, marketing events, and digital syndication for The Pictsweet Company, where she has worked for over four years. With 10+ years of experience in Marketing and Social Media roles, she graduated Cum Laude from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Public Relations.
Kristen Niles, Sr. Manager – Business Unit Sales & Strategy – Frozen Meals & Frozen Mexican Foods
The Kraft Heinz Company
Kristin leads sales strategy for Frozen Meals and Frozen Snacks at Kraft Heinz, bringing perspectives from both retail and manufacturing. She began her career in various retail buying and category management roles before joining the frozen foods team at Kraft Heinz in 2023. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Kristin lives in Chicago with her beagle, Ivy.
Alyssa Panzarella, Director of Marketing
Mrs. T’s Pierogies
Alyssa leads comprehensive marketing strategies and brand development at Mrs. T’s Pierogies, bringing over eleven years of experience in the food and beverage CPG industry. Her career progression at Mrs. T’s has included roles as Assistant PR Manager and Public Relations and Marketing Communications Manager. Alyssa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Penn State University and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Public Relations from George Washington University. As a working mother of two, she balances professional excellence with family commitments.
Isabelle Steiner, Regulatory Manager
Rosina
Isabelle manages regulatory compliance for Rosina Food Products, a manufacturer of IQF filled pastas and RTE frozen meatballs. With a background in Chemical Engineering, she was promoted to Regulatory Manager in October after joining the company a year prior. She leads the newly formed Regulatory Department, responsible for compliance with GFSI, USDA, FDA, and customer requirements. Isabelle chairs the Business Process Advisory Committee and participates in the HACCP, Product Development, and Food Safety Culture teams.
Jamie Yobbi, Category Manager – Dairy
Giant Eagle
Jamie manages the dairy category at Giant Eagle, where she has progressed through several roles in Merchandising and Own Brands over the past seven years. She began as an intern while studying at California University of PA (Penn West), where she earned a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Management. A Certified Personal Trainer through NASM, Jamie teaches group fitness classes in her spare time. The Pittsburgh native is a devoted local sports fan and recently married.
