Deli Business Staff
Director, Marketing
Saputo Cheese USA Inc.
Milwaukee, WI
Q. Can you tell us a bit about your upbringing and how it has shaped you?
I had the honor of being raised by two people pivotal in molding the minds of future generations in their roles as educator and principal. My young years started with early mornings in the classroom and typically ended with some type of sport or music practice. My upbringing was defined by “quality time.” There were a few years when my dad, mom, sister and I got into one car, went to the same building and all came home together at night. They modeled what it meant to be a faithful public servant, giving 100% every day and leading from the front.
I firmly believe my upbringing has made me a better professional and team leader. I will never expect my team to take on anything I wouldn’t take on myself, but I also challenge my team to continue to strive to raise the bar daily.
Q. What were some of the pivotal moments in your early life that led you to where you are today?
- Being accepted into the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Volunteering/mission trips. I have always believed in giving back to the community and have found it truly rewarding.
- Professional trips in college. While on a trip to Los Angeles in my junior year, I found a sense of purpose while touring the agency, Edelman. I made up my mind the No. 1 thing I wanted upon graduating was a job at Edelman. In January 2012, I accomplished that goal.
- Studying abroad in London.
- Moving to Chicago. I spent five of my most important years of life in that city, and it brought me some of my best friends, hardest life lessons, and was a true career boot camp.
Q. How has your career evolved over the years?
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work across several different facets of marketing, from PR to digital/media, e-commerce and brand management. The variety of experience and network of colleagues I have had has taught me to be adaptable and agile. In my early years, I sought to be a sponge, soaking in the work my superiors were conducting and trying my best to take and apply feedback. Edelman was the perfect breeding ground to sharpen up.
My two years at Beam Suntory provided the opportunity to get my hands on different types of work and understand the fundamentals of strategy.
When I moved to Wisconsin, my career changed drastically as I took on a new role at a small family-owned company. The dynamics were very different, but the opportunities vast.
I desired to get into a position that would put me in a seat that would be the best of both worlds. That is what brought me to Saputo. Over my nearly five years, I have seen the company change and grow.
Q. What is the best advice you ever received and why?
“You can do anything you set your mind to.”
Q. How do you balance your work and personal life?
This is admittedly a tough one for me. I take a lot of pride and enjoy the work I do, so it can be hard for me to shut my computer at the end of the day. That said, I know I’m my best self when I’m rested and have a clear head. I carve out an hour a day that is focused on getting organized. If I have a clear to-do list and plan of action for the next day/week, I will feel better about closing my laptop at the end of the day. My batteries always charge the fastest when I’m with my family. I find joy in spending time with my parents and sister’s family. On an average weekend, you’ll find me taking a three-day weekend and heading “up north” for time with the family where I unplug and soak in the time away.
Q. What deli retail trends have impacted the industry most over the last year?
As we’ve gotten away from the core COVID-19 pandemic years, we’ve seen more consumers getting back into stable routines. With this shift, consumers are looking for more convenient solutions, but don’t want to sacrifice quality and freshness for convenience. We’ve seen the return of more behind-the-glass and grab-and-go options. The sales of deli-prepared food are on the rise, due in large part to the uptick in hybrid work’s impact on consumer meal habits. This presents a great opportunity for us to work with our retail partners to innovate new and fresh meal solutions to offer their consumers.
Q. What book, movie, or event has impacted you personally or professionally?
“Eat. Pray. Love.” was a college read for me and is a book that challenged my mindset. I believe in defining my own journey in life and finding peace and joy in the parts of life that serve me best.
Q. What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
Getting outside when possible, taking a walk alongside water to reset and recharge, spending time with family and traveling, when possible. Recent big trips in recent years have included Thailand and Italy. It is always exciting to have a new adventure to plan and look forward to.
