Our Junior Board of Directors
WISE started a junior board of directors in 2021 to further its mission of increased diversity and inclusion in store brands and to provide leadership opportunities to empower our partners and members.
The WISE Junior Board is comprised of emerging leaders from our partner members and focuses on connecting to the next generation of talent in the Store Brand industry.
Click on the headshots for more information on each of our board members.
Tammy Akers
Food Regulatory Compliance Manager, John B. Sanfilippo and Son, Inc.
I have been in the food industry since 1998. I started my career working on the processing line of a frozen food manufacturer. I worked my way up to machine operator, then over into the Control Department as a technician. In September 2001, I landed in the food regulatory group and found my passion. In the 25 years since I had worked in both USDA and FDA regulated processing facilities. I came to John B. Sanfilippo and Son, Inc. in 2013, holding several different titles. I have recently been promoted to Food Regulatory Compliance Manager, where I am just getting my toes wet as a people manager.
I was able to achieve a dream of mine by going back to school to obtain my B.S. in Nutrition Science from Purdue University’s Global campus. Graduating with a 4.0 last May. I am taking some time off, but plan to go back for an M.S. in the next year or two. I have a passion for driving equity in business. Growing up attending “Take your daughter to work” programs at Motorola with my mother taught me early on, that women have a place in manufacturing. Working in the manufacturing sector has taught me that there is a place for all backgrounds, and while we have come a long way there is more work that can be done.
I am getting married this summer to my high school sweetheart, after finding each other again later in life. This August, I officially get to be a bonus mom to an amazing stepson, and Grammy Tammy to 2 awesome grandkids. I also love creating things with my hands. Some of the activities you will find me doing are knitting, crocheting, painting, and sewing.
I am really looking forward to serving on the WISE Jr. BOD. It is an opportunity to contribute to a great organization with ideals that align with my own. I look forward to meeting, learning from, and growing with you all.
I was able to achieve a dream of mine by going back to school to obtain my B.S. in Nutrition Science from Purdue University’s Global campus. Graduating with a 4.0 last May. I am taking some time off, but plan to go back for an M.S. in the next year or two. I have a passion for driving equity in business. Growing up attending “Take your daughter to work” programs at Motorola with my mother taught me early on, that women have a place in manufacturing. Working in the manufacturing sector has taught me that there is a place for all backgrounds, and while we have come a long way there is more work that can be done.
I am getting married this summer to my high school sweetheart, after finding each other again later in life. This August, I officially get to be a bonus mom to an amazing stepson, and Grammy Tammy to 2 awesome grandkids. I also love creating things with my hands. Some of the activities you will find me doing are knitting, crocheting, painting, and sewing.
I am really looking forward to serving on the WISE Jr. BOD. It is an opportunity to contribute to a great organization with ideals that align with my own. I look forward to meeting, learning from, and growing with you all.
Tammy Akers
John B. Sanfilippo and Son
Partner Liaison Committee
Phoebe Fox
Sr. Brand Marketing Manager, Simmons Pet Food
Phoebe Fox is the Sr. Brand Marketing Manager at Simmons Pet Food, where she leads the launch of new retail brands. A University of Kansas graduate with a degree in Business Marketing, she began her career in marketing agencies, supporting national pet food brands in brand and shopper marketing.
Now at Simmons, a private label manufacturer, Phoebe applies her expertise to building and growing new pet food brands in the market.
A Bentonville, Arkansas native, she and her husband, Cooper, enjoy boating, spending time with family, and working on their newly renovated home. They are excited to welcome their baby boy in June 2025!
Now at Simmons, a private label manufacturer, Phoebe applies her expertise to building and growing new pet food brands in the market.
A Bentonville, Arkansas native, she and her husband, Cooper, enjoy boating, spending time with family, and working on their newly renovated home. They are excited to welcome their baby boy in June 2025!
Phoebe Fox
Simmons Pet Food
Marketing & Communications Committee
Bailey Furtado
Sr. Rotational Program Specialist - Sourcing, Topco Associates
Born and Raised in Central California with a strong agriculture background. Graduated from California State University, Fresno in 2021 with an Bachelors in Agriculture Business. Started with Topco in the summer of 2019 with my first Produce Procurement Internship, then continued to complete two more internships with Topco; another Produce Procurement Internship as well as a Category Management Internship. Upon graduating, moved to the Chicago area and joined the Rotational Program with Topco, which is a 2 year developmental program that gives an opportunity to work in a total of 6 departments. The departments in this program include; Member Services, Master Data, Demand Planning, Logistics, Sourcing and Category Insights. Having almost completed 5/6 rotations, I have been able to get diverse exposures and insights to the grocery industry which I hope to aid the WISE Junior Board.
Bailey Furtado
Topco Associates
JB Chair/Recruitment Committee
Alexis Herbert
Business Manager, Daymon
Alexis Herbert is a Business Manager at Daymon, supporting the Ahold Delhaize account for nearly 3 years. Alexis started with Daymon after graduating from Western Michigan University’s Food & Consumer Packed Goods Marketing program in 2019. In her role, her responsibilities include supporting suppliers and retailers in various ways such as developing new private brand programs, closing distribution voids, searching for innovation and white space opportunities and more. She has a passion for exploring new food and consumer trends. In her spare time, she loves travelling to new cities and countries, being active and playing sports, cooking, listening to True Crime podcasts and spending time with friends and family. She is very passionate about promoting diversity and she is truly honored to be a part of the WISE Junior Board.
Alexis Herbert
Daymon
JB Vice Chair
Rachel Krpec (Kosier)
Winland Foods
Talent Development Committee
Jana Lynch
Key Account Manager, Schreiber Foods
Jana Lynch is a dynamic professional with a passion for driving success in the food industry. Currently serving as a Key Account Manager for Schreiber Foods, Jana thrives on building strong relationships and delivering results. Jana proudly hails from her hometown of San Jose, CA but enjoys residing in beautiful Northwest Arkansas. After completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri, Jana went on to earn an MBA at the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University. Outside of work, Jana spends much of her free time hiking and camping. A perpetual seeker of knowledge, Jana delights in learning fun facts and collecting inspirational quotes which proves helpful during trivia nights with friends.
Jana Lynch
Schreiber Foods
Partner Liaison Committee
Dulce Mireles
Senior Product Developer, Whole Foods Market
Dulce is a life-long knowledge seeker. Born & having spent most of her childhood in Mexico with family, she prides herself in cooking, baking & eating traditional Mexican culinary delights. She is a proud Aggie Food Scientist, Chemist, & Coffee Expert, and an even prouder Whole Foods Market Product Developer supporting Breakfast Shelf Stable & Refrigerated Dairy Exclusive Brands growth & innovation. “K*ll ‘em with Kindness” is her life motto. Music & Nature are her best friends. Dulce is ecstatic to share this exciting WISE Jr BOD chapter with amazing individuals!
Dulce Mirales
Whole Foods Market
Events Committee
Danielle Molesso
Business Unit Manager, Aseptic Broth, TreeHouse Foods
Danielle is the Aseptic Broth Business Unit Manager at TreeHouse Foods, where she leads broth category strategy, P&L management, and product development. Passionate about professional growth, she founded TreeHouse’s Emerging Professionals Employee Resource Group, fostering career development, networking, mentorship, and leadership development for 300+ employees.
Before joining TreeHouse, Danielle spent five years in Accenture’s Supply Chain Strategy group, advising consumer goods clients on supply chain efficiencies and network design. She holds a degree in Economics from Bates College and lives in Chicago with her husband.
Before joining TreeHouse, Danielle spent five years in Accenture’s Supply Chain Strategy group, advising consumer goods clients on supply chain efficiencies and network design. She holds a degree in Economics from Bates College and lives in Chicago with her husband.
Danielle Molesso
TreeHouse Foods
Professional Development Committee
Kyle Zofinski
Sourcing Analyst, Topco
I’m a Sourcing Analyst at Topco Associates managing a variety of general merchandise categories such as stationery, kitchen and cake decorating. In June 2022, I was the first graduate of Topco’s 2-year rotational program completing rotations throughout 6 different departments. Within this rotational program, I was able to learn the functional roles and processes as well as completing specialized projects in each department. I graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a concentration in Honors Integrated Marketing Education. Through the IME honors program, I got to work with brands such as Kellogg’s, Barilla Group, and Romance Kosugi in detailed consulting projects. In my free time, I love to travel and experience new cultures. I’m a huge foodie at heart and love to cook!
Kyle Zofinski
Topco Associates
Events Committee
Cooper Zwanka
Associate Business Manager, Daymon
Cooper has been on the Itasca Regional Team at Daymon since 2023. This is his very first position out of college, and hopefully his last he says. He currently holds the position of Associate Business Manager at Daymon where his key focus is collaborating with retailer customers and key supplier partners to manage and expand their private brand programs. Cooper received a Bachelor’s in Science for Political Science from the University of Buffalo. He is passionate about history and tennis. He also enjoys trying new foods, practicing the piano, and spending time with his family.
Cooper Zwanka
Daymon
Marketing & Communications Committee