Our Board of Directors
Click on the headshots for more information on each of our esteemed board members.
Katie Blohowiak
Enterprise Project Manager, Schreiber Foods
Katie is an Enterprise Project Manager at Schreiber Foods in Green Bay, WI. Schreiber provides dairy favorites to people around the globe, specializing in yogurt, natural cheese, process cheese and cream cheese. She began at Schreiber as a transportation intern in 2008 before joining the Supply Chain Planning team in 2010. In 2019, she transitioned to an Operations Systems Manager role where her primary focus is developing and rolling out a new inventory management system to all domestic manufacturing and shipping facilities. Katie is a graduate of UW – Green Bay with a degree in Business & Economics. She is currently Co-Leading Schreiber’s Network of Women Business Leaders (NOWBL) Business Resource Group and advocating for a Diverse and Inclusive culture. Katie joined the WISE organization in Fall of 2019. She is excited to be on the board of an organization that is continuing to bridge the gender gap, and push to diversify the Store Brands industry.
For WISE: WISE Executive Committee, WISE Chair
For WISE: WISE Executive Committee, WISE Chair
Katie Blohowiak
Schreiber Foods
WISE Executive Committee; WISE Chair
Laurie LaRue
Assistant Corporate Treasurer for Lassonde Industries, Inc.
Laurie LaRue is the Assistant Corporate Treasurer for Lassonde Industries, Inc. Lassonde Industries is a leader in the food and beverages industry. We develop, manufacture and market a wide range of private label and national brand high-quality products across North America. Laurie joined the company in 2000 and since has gained extensive experience in Insurance, Risk Management, Treasury, Financial Reporting, Employee Development, Compensation, and Health Benefits. Laurie holds a Master of Business Administration from Widener University.
For WISE, Laurie is Treasurer, Executive Committee; Chair, Finance Committee
For WISE, Laurie is Treasurer, Executive Committee; Chair, Finance Committee
Laurie LaRue
Lassonde Pappas & Co., Inc.
WISE Executive Committee; Treasurer, Chair, Finance Committee
Alexis Ward
Sr. Director of Information Technology, TreeHouse Foods
Alexis Ward is a Sr. Director of Information Technology at TreeHouse Foods. She has been an IT professional for over 14 years, with 9 years in the StoreBrand industry. She started working for IBM out of college as an SAP business consultant. She joined TreeHouse Foods in 2011 as a Business Architect focusing on warehousing. Alexis works closely with business partners to make sure IT is aligned with the business strategy and also to help optimize and increase productivity in all functions. Alexis was promoted to Director in 2017. She leads all functional areas in SAP, TreeHouse Food’s ERP system. She is constantly working with her teams to create value as TreeHouse Foods customers’ preferred manufacturing and distribution partner through her leadership and relentless focus on execution.
Alexis Ward
TreeHouse Foods
WISE Executive Committee; Chair, Professional Development
Mary Conwell
National Sales Manager, Sofidel
Mary Conwell is a National Sales Manager with Sofidel, a producer of private label bathroom tissue and household towel items with over 38 years of selling experience. Mary joined Sofidel in 2017 as they began their expansion in the US market and commissioned two new greenfield paper making and converting sites in Ohio and Oklahoma. Prior to Sofidel she worked for other tissue producers and spent 13 years with the HJ Heinz company in Sales. In her current role she leads a team of Sales Directors on new business development across all US retailers. A member of WISE since 2016 she was honored to be a recipient of the Top Women in Store Brands for Sales in 2021 and she Chairs the Recruitment and Membership Committee for WISE. In her spare time, she serves as a Financial Deacon and manages the benevolent giving fund at her church and serves as a volunteer for Man UP and the Urban Impact mentoring program.
Mary Conwell
Sofidel
Chair, Recruitment Committee
Lisa Eatherton
Sr. Business Manager, John B. Sanfilippo & Son
Lisa Eatherton is a Sr. Business Manager at John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (JBSS), a global leader of quality-driven and innovative nut solutions, headquartered in Elgin, IL. Lisa joined JBSS in 2010 and has held various roles in Marketing and Sales. She is currently responsible for fostering collaborative partnerships to drive alignment, execute with excellence, and achieve results. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a degree in Marketing and Management. Lisa became a member of WISE in 2019 and serves on the Professional Development Committee. She is honored to be part of the inaugural Junior Board of Directors and its mission to champion diversity and inclusion in the store brand industry.
Lisa Eatherton
John B. Sanfilippo & Son
Professional Development Committee
Dianne Galang
Director, New Business Development at Daymon
Dianne holds the position of Director, New Business Development at Daymon. In her current position, Dianne manages existing retailer customers and has responsibilities to expand Daymon’s customer base across the US and Canada with the primary focus of growing Private Brand programs in collaboration with retailer partners. She has been with Daymon since 2005 and has moved up the organization through multiple roles: business and product management, business development, client services – ranging from food, non-food, and HBC.
Dianne Galang
Daymon
Vice Chair, Partner Liaison Committee
Emily Glass
Senior Director, Human Resources & Talent Acquisition, Topco Associates, LLC
Emily is a strategic HR professional with a passion for fostering collaborative environments and driving impactful talent strategies. Currently serving as Senior Director, Human Resources and Talent Acquisition at Topco Associates, she partners with leadership to align HR initiatives with business goals, while shaping a positive organizational culture. She leads talent management, planning, and acquisition efforts, while overseeing HR Business Partnership and Inclusion initiatives. A graduate of Arizona State University and a Professional in Human Resources (HRCI), Emily is also a graduate of Topco’s leadership development program.
Emily Glass
Topco Associates LLC
Junior Board Advisor
Erik Hjerpe
Vice President of Supply Chain, TreeHouse Foods
Erik Hjerpe is a Vice President of Supply Chain at TreeHouse Foods, a leading private brands snacking and beverage manufacturer based in Oak Brook, IL. He has served in a variety of Supply Chain and IT leadership roles across multiple industries, both in the United States and abroad. Erik has a passion for digital enablement of the supply chain, for strong customer partnerships, and for team development, all of which allow for a pivot from the “heroic firefighting” present in so many organizations, to leveraging talent, process, and technology to enable sustainable growth. In his current role Erik is responsible for all supply chain planning functions. When not at TreeHouse, or spending time with his wife and three daughters, or traveling, you will find Erik working to give back to the community. Erik is a disaster relief volunteer and is on the Board of Education for Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200.
Erik Hjerpe
TreeHouse Foods
Jen Linke
Vice President of Sourcing & Private Brands, Union Supply
Jen Linke brings over twenty-five years of product experience from the grocery retail industry. She has developed brands for major grocery chains, including ALDI, Kmart, and many wholesalers across the country and internationally. She joined Aramark Correctional Services in 2021 as the VP of Retail, overseeing the municipal commissary business and e-commerce programs and now oversees procurement and private brand development. Jen earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration & Marketing from Valparaiso University while playing division I volleyball.
Jen Linke
Union Supply
Chair, Partner Liaison Committee
Miranda Penna
Customer Business Manager; Winland Foods (formerly TreeHouse Foods)
Miranda Penna is a Customer Business Manager at Winland Foods and has worked within the private brands industry for eight years. She has held various business development roles both at TreeHouse Foods and Winland Foods, and she is now managing an innovative and extensive portfolio in her current position. Before being appointed as the WISE Chair of Marketing & Communications, Miranda served on the first ever WISE Junior Board of Directors from 2021-2023. Prior to the Junior Board, Miranda was a WISE Mentor Circle Lead. Additionally, Miranda earned her WISE DEI Badges in Leadership and Personal Development in 2023. Miranda has a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Sciences as well as professional certifications in Leadership and Retail Brands from Cornell University.
Miranda Penna
Winland Foods
Chair, Marketing and Communications Committee
Jac (Jacqueline) Ross
Vice President Sprouts Brands, Sprouts Farmers Market
Originally from the UK, Jac is currently the Vice President Sprouts Brands at Sprouts Farmers Market where she is focused on bringing exclusive and innovative private brand products to the fast-growing grocer’s base of shoppers who are enthusiastic about health and wellness. In a career spanning 30 years, Jac's experience also includes product development and product integrity roles at 7-Eleven Inc., Retail Business Services (an Ahold Delhaize Company), Ahold USA, Sainsbury’s Supermarkets and Marks & Spencer, as well as Unilever UK and several Private Brand manufacturers in the UK. As a previous recipient of the 2015 Top Women in Store Brands R&D/QA Award, Jac is excited to be involved with such a great organization.
Jac (Jacqueline) Ross
Sprouts Farmers Market
Events Committee
Theo Schweitz
CEO, Drive Wheel LLC
Theo Schweitz is the dynamic CEO of Drive Wheel LLC, where he facilitates peer group discussions for leaders in the Food and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sectors. His energetic approach connects business leaders, fostering the exchange of ideas, collaborative problem-solving, and network expansion. Under his leadership, Drive Wheel hosts over 25 peer groups encompassing Sales, Logistics, Production, and Executive teams. Each in-person meeting is meticulously designed to equip executives with the insights they need to make confident decisions.
Before founding Drive Wheel, Theo amassed extensive experience in the industry. He dedicated fifteen years to Target, focusing on Private Label product development, and served as Vice President of Strategy at BBDO, where he specialized in go-to-market strategies for food brands. His academic credentials include an MBA and a Culinary Arts degree. He was also name a “Top Retail Expect” by ReThink Retail in 2024 and 2025.
Theo's unique blend of strategic marketing expertise and culinary knowledge positions him as a trusted advisor to industry leaders, guiding them through the complexities of the food and CPG landscape.
Before founding Drive Wheel, Theo amassed extensive experience in the industry. He dedicated fifteen years to Target, focusing on Private Label product development, and served as Vice President of Strategy at BBDO, where he specialized in go-to-market strategies for food brands. His academic credentials include an MBA and a Culinary Arts degree. He was also name a “Top Retail Expect” by ReThink Retail in 2024 and 2025.
Theo's unique blend of strategic marketing expertise and culinary knowledge positions him as a trusted advisor to industry leaders, guiding them through the complexities of the food and CPG landscape.
Theo Schweitz
Drive Wheel LLC
Luci Sheehan
Principal Consultant, Strategic Sales & Marketing Initiatives, LLC
Luci, Principal Consultant with Strategic Sales & Marketing Initiatives LLC, focuses on driving growth in young companies, new brands and services and helping companies with an entrepreneurial spirit fill gaps in their sales and marketing needs. Luci works with both U.S. and international companies to create and implement actionable solutions that deliver results.
Most recently, Luci has worked with Oleificio Zucchi, the largest family owned producer of extra virgin olive oil in Italy, to launch their innovative branded and store brand solutions in North America, including the first certified sustainable extra virgin olive oils, as well as store branded products that can provide traceability to the sources of origin for consumers. She also works with industry journalist Kevin Coupe (MorningNewsBeat), providing marketing and sponsorship support. Her clients range from food and non-food CPG companies to technology and online BtoB solutions. Luci has nearly 20 years of consulting experience, and over 20 years in sales and marketing management, including senior management positions at Procter & Gamble, Catalina Marketing, and The Ferolie Group.
Luci’s non-profit service includes: trustee at her alma mater, Simmons University, chair of The American Red Cross of Connecticut, national board member for the Network of Executive Women and service on the boards of Emergency Family Assistance in Boulder, CO and CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) in St. Petersburg, FL. She is a leadership fundraising volunteer for BeadforLife for their Street Business School, which provides women in Sub Saharan Africa with training and skills to establish their own businesses. Luci resides in Boulder, CO and has a son.
Luci has served on the Professional Development Committee since 2014.
Luci Sheehan
Strategic Sales & Marketing Initiatives LLC
Professional Development Committee
Megan Sparks
Sr. Director of Sourcing and Product Development, Whole Foods Market
Megan Sparks is a Sr. Director of Sourcing and Product Development within the Exclusive Brands Division at Whole Foods Market. Prior to joining Whole Foods, Megan was the Sr. Director of Sales for the Away From Home channel (Foodservice, Convenience, Drug & Military) for a food-tech start up, The Not Company. While there, she served as part of the executive team that developed the go-to-market strategy leading to a joint venture with Kraft Heinz.
Prior to NotCo, Megan was Head Of Sales at Chobani for the Convenience & Drug channel overseeing a sales team of 30. She also served as a National Account Manager responsible for 7-Eleven & RaceTrac at Kraft Heinz.
Megan received her undergrad degree from Eastern Illinois University, where she played Division 1 basketball, and her MBA from University of Illinois-Chicago.
Megan Sparks
Whole Foods Market
Finance Committee
Kirsten Taylor
Senior Business Systems Analyst, Treehouse Foods
Kirsten Taylor is a Senior Business Systems Analyst at TreeHouse Foods. She got her Bachelor's Degree in Accountancy and her Master's Degree in Management Information Systems from Northern Illinois University. She started her career in Internal Audit at PwC then started with Internal Audit at TreeHouse Foods in 2019. She then moved over to the IT team at TreeHouse Foods in 2021 where she works closely with business partners in the finance team to make sure financial IT systems are running smoothly and to help optimize financial systems. She joined WISE in March 2021 and was on the WISE Junior Board for a year before joining the BOD! At TreeHouse, Kirsten is also the Membership Committee Chair for the Woman's Employee Resource group and truly has a passion for DEI. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing in social sports leagues, and spending time with her husband and her fur babies (2 cats and 2 dogs).
Kirsten Taylor
Senior Business Systems Analyst, Treehouse Foods
Kirsten Taylor is a Senior Business Systems Analyst at TreeHouse Foods. She got her Bachelor's Degree in Accountancy and her Master's Degree in Management Information Systems from Northern Illinois University. She started her career in Internal Audit at PwC then started with Internal Audit at TreeHouse Foods in 2019. She then moved over to the IT team at TreeHouse Foods in 2021 where she works closely with business partners in the finance team to make sure financial IT systems are running smoothly and to help optimize financial systems. She joined WISE in March 2021 and was on the WISE Junior Board for a year before joining the BOD! At TreeHouse, Kirsten is also the Membership Committee Chair for the Woman's Employee Resource group and truly has a passion for DEI. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing in social sports leagues, and spending time with her husband and her fur babies (2 cats and 2 dogs).
Kirsten Taylor
TreeHouse Foods
Professional Development Committee
Kara Wojcik (Miencier)
Sales Executive, Paramount Roasters
Kara is a Sales Executive at Paramount Roasters in Lansing, MI. Paramount is an employee-owned, specialty coffee roaster founded in 1935. She began at Paramount as a sales intern before joining the Sales Executive team in 2014. Her primary focus is establishing new private label business and growing key private label accounts. Kara is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Communication. She has also completed the St. Joseph University PLMA Executive Education course.
Kara joined the WISE organization in 2014 and serves on the events committee. She is proud to be on the board of an organization that is continuing to bridge the generation gap, and push to diversify the Store Brands industry.
Kara Wojcik (Miencier)
Paramount Roasters
Chair, Events Committee
Kirsten Taylor
Senior Business Systems Analyst, Treehouse Foods
Kirsten Taylor is a Senior Business Systems Analyst at TreeHouse Foods. She got her Bachelor's Degree in Accountancy and her Master's Degree in Management Information Systems from Northern Illinois University. She started her career in Internal Audit at PwC then started with Internal Audit at TreeHouse Foods in 2019. She then moved over to the IT team at TreeHouse Foods in 2021 where she works closely with business partners in the finance team to make sure financial IT systems are running smoothly and to help optimize financial systems. She joined WISE in March 2021 and was on the WISE Junior Board for a year before joining the BOD! At TreeHouse, Kirsten is also the Membership Committee Chair for the Woman's Employee Resource group and truly has a passion for DEI. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing in social sports leagues, and spending time with her husband and her fur babies (2 cats and 2 dogs).