Each year, Progressive Grocer honors women across the grocery industry for demonstrating leadership and commitment in their jobs. This year, 13 of the winners are Publix leaders.
Publix nominated women for their contributions to their work location as well as their community involvement and outreach to others. Publix is proud to recognize these associates for excelling as leaders, mentors and role models, and we asked each of them what makes them a top woman in grocery.
Store Manager Stacie Bradham
#1324, Tampa, Fla.
Years with Publix: 23
Years as store manager: 7
“I truly love what I do, and I never want to stop growing or learning something new. I love working with my team, surrounding myself with great people, meeting challenges and achieving goals.”
Business Development Director of Meals
Shelly Carroll
Years with Publix: 20
Years as store manager: 14
“I believe Publix has given me both support and opportunities that have allowed me the privilege to be counted as a top woman in grocery.”
Store Manager Natalie Diel
#383, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Years with Publix: 18
Years as store manager: 3
“I am dedicated to perpetuating our culture every day. That means ensuring customers receive premier service, ensuring associates know they are our greatest asset and I am devoted to their development, and working with our business partners to make sure we have the right amount of product to serve our customers.”
Store Manager Kimberly Koennemann
#266, Punta Gorda, Fla.
Years with Publix: 31
Years as store manager: 8
“It’s definitely my team. I’m so fortunate to work with a great group of associates and managers who believe in the Publix mission and Mr. George’s vision for our company. Together, we strive constantly to focus on our customers’ needs and to run a successful and profitable store.”
Atlanta Grocery Retail Improvement
Specialist Skyla Lowe
Years with Publix: 10
Years in current position: 2
“I would not be considered for this honor if I did not have a strong support team around me. God has put many people and opportunities in my path to help me be successful. I am grateful to Publix for giving me the opportunities to grow.”
Store Manager Talla McGahee
#1003, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Years with Publix: 23
Years as store manager: 7
“I understand and execute the Publix strategy, use the tools and training our company provides to maximize my store operations, mentor associates in their own personal growth as owners of Publix, and know my role in executing the direction of our company.”
Store Manager Denise Murray
#547, Stockbridge, Ga.
Years with Publix: 16
Years as store manager: 3
“I believe my passion to become better every day and having a clear vision of what I want to accomplish has helped me succeed in this business. I share my vision with my team, and together we are able to reach our goals.”
Store Manager Christiana Nelson
#386, Clearwater, Fla.
Years with Publix: 20
Years as store manager: 4
“My team — my customers, associates, leaders and my parents and family — make me who I am. I have great leaders and appreciate their guidance. My parents have always encouraged me to work hard and follow my goals, and my husband gives me great support. I truly have my dream job!”
Store Manager Michelle Nygren
#1383, Lexington, S.C.
Years with Publix: 29
Years as store manager: 5
“I have leadership skills that drive my team to success. I believe in creating a work environment that is professional, motivational and servicefocused, which ultimately drives sales and profits. Being involved in the community is also important and makes us all responsible citizens.”
Business Development director of
Bakery Jane Pixley
Years with Publix: 34
Years as store manager: 14
“The Publix Bakery is a destination point for customers. I am proud to be a small part of the total team that makes the Publix Bakery so important to our customers and our company. I work every day to remember what it was like to be an associate in the bakery — keeping that in mind makes my job much easier.”
Store Manager Bobbi Jean Sherry
#123 Nashville, Tenn.
Years with Publix: 16
Years as store manager: 6
“Being a mentor and leader to other associates. Showing them it’s possible to run a business and have balance in your personal life. It’s really about doing what you enjoy — at work and at home. You must have a vision of your goals and work toward them everyday.”
Store Manager Heather Strickland
#662, Orlando, Fla.
Years with Publix: 24
Years as store manager: 5
“I try to run the store with, ‘What would George Jenkins do?’ in mind. Mr. George taught us to treat each other with dignity and respect and treat our customers as kings and queens. It was successful 83 years ago, and it keeps us successful now. I keep a photo of Mr. George above my desk to watch over me and make sure I always keep that in mind.”
Store Manager Bernadette Viens
#541, Sandy Springs, Ga.
Years with Publix: 24
Years as store manager: 8
“I have a continued desire to be positive and strive for the best every day. I reach out to my community to make sure my team is successful at providing them with all their needs, and I teach the importance of sustainability from a business and personal view.”
Online Exclusive
Our Top Women in Grocery share what they enjoy most about their job.
The people — from the diversity of our customers to the tenure of our associates. Nothing is more rewarding than making a customer’s day or having an associate who worked with you years ago tell you they accomplished a goal with Publix and thank you for helping them achieve it. — Store Manager Stacie Bradham, #1324, Tampa, Fla.
The thing I enjoy most about my job is that the Meals retail business unit has been able to implement services under Aprons that really make a difference in our customers’ lives. — Business Development Director of Meals Shelly Carroll
The most rewarding thing I get to do as a store manager for Publix is develop our associates to their full potential. The strength and growth of our company provides such tremendous opportunities for dedicated associates to grow with and have long, successful careers with Publix. — Store Manager Natalie Diel, #383, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
I enjoy the flexibility that Publix provides me to manage my location. Having the ability to incorporate the kind of person I am into the type of manager I want to be allows me to serve my customers and associates and build bonds with them. This is one of the reasons I am so proud to work for Publix. — Store Manager Kimberly Koennemann, #266, Punta Gorda, Fla.
I really enjoy traveling and working with all of my teams to make a difference daily at Publix. I love to see each one of my teams excel at their strategic tasks and consistently raise the bar and be the best they can be. — Atlanta Grocery Retail Improvement Specialist Skyla Lowe
I love being on the front line of our business. Engaging with customers, associates and our business partners is both challenging and rewarding. Getting to experience the growth of Publix and having a part in that growth is very exciting to me. — Store Manager Talla McGahee, #1006, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
I love that Publix has a culture of promoting from within. I enjoy mentoring and coaching associates, and helping them reach their full potential. By sharing my story of hard work and dedication, others are inspired to reach for more. I especially enjoy watching associates develop into Publix leaders. — Store Manager Denise Murray, #547, Stockbridge, Ga.
I love customer interaction and helping people. I also enjoy developing and encouraging associates. I love to “push them out of the nest” and encourage to them take on new things. I try to do what my mentors did for me over the years. — Store Manager Christiana Nelson, #386, Clearwater, Fla.
I enjoy watching my associates grow with Publix! It’s very rewarding to coach and mentor others to help them reach their goals. When I see them serving customers in ways that exceed their shopping experience expectations, it makes me proud to be a their store manager and a Publix owner! — Store Manager Michelle Nygren, #1383, Lexington, S.C.
Working with the associates, products and suppliers that represent the Publix Bakery brand is one of the most rewarding parts of my responsibility. It is a joy each day to come to work knowing I can make a difference for Publix overall. I am part of the secret sauce! — Business Development Director of Bakery Jane Pixley
I enjoy being able to meet so many different people — customers and associates —mentoring others, and teaching them about this great company we work for. It’s very rewarding to be able to guide and inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more. — Store Manager Bobbi Jean Sherry, #123, Nashville, Tenn.
I enjoy the interaction with people. Whether they’re associates or customers, knowing I was able to make a difference — no matter how small — really means a lot to me. I believe if you take care of your people, they’ll take care of you. — Store Manager Heather Strickland, #662, Orlando, Fla.
Whether it’s teaching an associate a new task or way to improve upon their strengths, or helping a customer find a special item, I thoroughly enjoy human interaction. Hearing our customers rave about the premier service they receive from our cheerful, friendly associates is huge! — Store Manager Bernadette Viens, #541, Sandy Springs, Ga.
