Nick Klein
Dematic
Senior Director, Enterprise Solution Sales
Grocery Study Breakfast Panel
Nick has been involved in the development of intralogistics solutions for over 20 years with a high focus on grocery retail and distribution. He has developed solutions for some of North America’s largest grocers’ distribution center operations, providing process improvements, best practice logistics methods, performance optimizing software, and material handling automation. He has collaborated with end-users, 3PL companies, and consultants to find optimal solutions for distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. To develop a solution, Nick uses a data driven agnostic approach with an operations focus that includes current state analysis, operations planning, and strategic/tactical planning. As Senior Director of Enterprise Solution Sales, Nick supports Dematic in providing engineered logistics solutions for warehousing and distribution operations across North America.
Dematic
Senior Director, Enterprise Solution Sales
Grocery Study Breakfast Panel
Nick has been involved in the development of intralogistics solutions for over 20 years with a high focus on grocery retail and distribution. He has developed solutions for some of North America’s largest grocers’ distribution center operations, providing process improvements, best practice logistics methods, performance optimizing software, and material handling automation. He has collaborated with end-users, 3PL companies, and consultants to find optimal solutions for distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. To develop a solution, Nick uses a data driven agnostic approach with an operations focus that includes current state analysis, operations planning, and strategic/tactical planning. As Senior Director of Enterprise Solution Sales, Nick supports Dematic in providing engineered logistics solutions for warehousing and distribution operations across North America.
Elizabeth Lafontaine
EnsembleIQ
Chief Retail Analyst
Shaping the Future of Food by Building an AI/ML Strategy
Elizabeth Lafontaine is the Chief Retail Analyst at Retail Leader Pro, an EnsembleIQ brand. Backed by nearly a decade of retail experience, she uncovers emerging trends in consumer behavior to help retailers and brands tap into new insights and create winning strategies in the ever-evolving world of commerce. Her analyses and commentary help businesses deepen their industry knowledge while also identifying ways to win with an ever-evolving consumer.
Lafontaine’s previous experience in the broader retail industry included roles at The NPD Group, Stein Mart and Macy’s. She helped to develop and grow NPD’s thought leadership offering, and most recently served as an industry analyst for its Juvenile Products, Toys and Entertainment division.
EnsembleIQ
Chief Retail Analyst
Shaping the Future of Food by Building an AI/ML Strategy
Elizabeth Lafontaine is the Chief Retail Analyst at Retail Leader Pro, an EnsembleIQ brand. Backed by nearly a decade of retail experience, she uncovers emerging trends in consumer behavior to help retailers and brands tap into new insights and create winning strategies in the ever-evolving world of commerce. Her analyses and commentary help businesses deepen their industry knowledge while also identifying ways to win with an ever-evolving consumer.
Lafontaine’s previous experience in the broader retail industry included roles at The NPD Group, Stein Mart and Macy’s. She helped to develop and grow NPD’s thought leadership offering, and most recently served as an industry analyst for its Juvenile Products, Toys and Entertainment division.
Larry Liu
Weee!
CEO
Emerging Grocery Technology Driving Transformation
Larry Liu is the CEO and founder of Weee!, the largest and fastest-growing online Asian and Hispanic e-grocer, which provides exciting, high-quality products to consumers nationwide. Almost two decades ago, Larry came to the United States as an engineer; he quickly realized there was not simply a lack of Asian goods at local stores, but that a social and joyful aspect of shopping was missing. Larry believes that people should celebrate life through food by empowering the shared discovery of delightful, food-at-home products and experiences. Founded in 2015 and valued at over $4.1 billion, today, Weee! has over 2,000 employees and serves ethnic communities with access to authentic and exciting food throughout the nation. Prior to launching Weee!, Larry worked at Intel, Brocade, and Atmel in various engineering and finance roles. He holds a BSEE from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and an MBA from UC Davis Graduate School of Management.
Weee!
CEO
Emerging Grocery Technology Driving Transformation
Larry Liu is the CEO and founder of Weee!, the largest and fastest-growing online Asian and Hispanic e-grocer, which provides exciting, high-quality products to consumers nationwide. Almost two decades ago, Larry came to the United States as an engineer; he quickly realized there was not simply a lack of Asian goods at local stores, but that a social and joyful aspect of shopping was missing. Larry believes that people should celebrate life through food by empowering the shared discovery of delightful, food-at-home products and experiences. Founded in 2015 and valued at over $4.1 billion, today, Weee! has over 2,000 employees and serves ethnic communities with access to authentic and exciting food throughout the nation. Prior to launching Weee!, Larry worked at Intel, Brocade, and Atmel in various engineering and finance roles. He holds a BSEE from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and an MBA from UC Davis Graduate School of Management.
David McIntosh
Instacart
VP and GM of Connected Stores
Creating Next-Gen Customer Experiences
David McIntosh is VP and GM of Connected Stores at Instacart. His team delivers solutions that enable retailers to offer seamless retail experiences across online and in-store, benefitting retailers and their customers. Previously, in his role as VP of Product, Retailer, he led the development of Instacart Platform. Prior to joining Instacart in 2021, David was the CEO and co-founder of Tenor, a leading expression search engine which Google acquired in 2018. At Google, David grew Tenor to over 1 Billion users and more than 1 Billion queries per day.
Instacart
VP and GM of Connected Stores
Creating Next-Gen Customer Experiences
David McIntosh is VP and GM of Connected Stores at Instacart. His team delivers solutions that enable retailers to offer seamless retail experiences across online and in-store, benefitting retailers and their customers. Previously, in his role as VP of Product, Retailer, he led the development of Instacart Platform. Prior to joining Instacart in 2021, David was the CEO and co-founder of Tenor, a leading expression search engine which Google acquired in 2018. At Google, David grew Tenor to over 1 Billion users and more than 1 Billion queries per day.
Brendan O'Brien
84.51°
Director, Commercial Insights
Understanding Customers Together: Retail and CPG Data Partnerships
Brendan O’Brien leads the Insights portfolio expansion initiative for 84.51°, extending the utility of 84.51°’s data and science assets through technology. Since joining the team in 2020, Brendan has played a key role in building 84.51° Insights product experiences, including 84.51° Collaborative Cloud – a product created for data scientists and data engineers.
His team diagnoses and solves pain points commonly faced by our clients' advanced analytics teams, and he builds productive, long-term relationships with CPG and Agency leaders seeking a competitive advantage through data science.
Brendan joined 84.51° in 2017 as an insights account manager, where his primary role was consulting with CPG partners to drive customer insights in the areas of Price/Promotion, Assortment & Space, Ecommerce and Supply Chain – leveraging tools like 84.51° Stratum.
Brendan graduated from University of Cincinnati with a BBA in Marketing and worked in Brand Strategy at WPP’s Landor prior to joining 84.51°.
84.51°
Director, Commercial Insights
Understanding Customers Together: Retail and CPG Data Partnerships
Brendan O’Brien leads the Insights portfolio expansion initiative for 84.51°, extending the utility of 84.51°’s data and science assets through technology. Since joining the team in 2020, Brendan has played a key role in building 84.51° Insights product experiences, including 84.51° Collaborative Cloud – a product created for data scientists and data engineers.
His team diagnoses and solves pain points commonly faced by our clients' advanced analytics teams, and he builds productive, long-term relationships with CPG and Agency leaders seeking a competitive advantage through data science.
Brendan joined 84.51° in 2017 as an insights account manager, where his primary role was consulting with CPG partners to drive customer insights in the areas of Price/Promotion, Assortment & Space, Ecommerce and Supply Chain – leveraging tools like 84.51° Stratum.
Brendan graduated from University of Cincinnati with a BBA in Marketing and worked in Brand Strategy at WPP’s Landor prior to joining 84.51°.
John O'Reilly
Google
Head of Food, Drug, & Mass Retail
Optimizing the Customer Experience With Gen AI
John O’Reilly is the Head of Food, Drug, and Mass Retail for Google Cloud. In his current role, John is helping Retailers future-proof their businesses & create competitive advantages through innovative technology. Before Google, John was a co-founder of Aptaris, a marketing and promotion management platform for retailers that was acquired by dunnhumby. John stayed on at dunnhumby as an SVP for North America, helping launch some of the most successful Personalization/Loyalty programs, as well as, some of the largest Retail Media and Insight Monetization businesses.. John comes from a long-line of grocers dating back to his great-grandfather's independent grocery store and has worked with over 50 different grocers across the globe.
Head of Food, Drug, & Mass Retail
Optimizing the Customer Experience With Gen AI
John O’Reilly is the Head of Food, Drug, and Mass Retail for Google Cloud. In his current role, John is helping Retailers future-proof their businesses & create competitive advantages through innovative technology. Before Google, John was a co-founder of Aptaris, a marketing and promotion management platform for retailers that was acquired by dunnhumby. John stayed on at dunnhumby as an SVP for North America, helping launch some of the most successful Personalization/Loyalty programs, as well as, some of the largest Retail Media and Insight Monetization businesses.. John comes from a long-line of grocers dating back to his great-grandfather's independent grocery store and has worked with over 50 different grocers across the globe.
Sylvain Perrier
Mercatus
President & Chief Operations Officer
Workshop: The Key to Digital Growth and Profitability: Connecting E-commerce Strategy, Technology and Operations
Sylvain Perrier is President & CEO of Mercatus, a leading provider of grocery eCommerce solutions. Perrier is highly sought after with over 20 years of executive-level experience in retail technology, pushing the boundaries in specialty areas such as mobile commerce, web technology, in-store operations, and Software as a Service (SaaS) architecture. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Perrier hosts the Digital Grocer podcast and is a recipient of Grocery Game Changer award by the editors of Winsight Grocery Business and was named a Top 10 Influential in Retail by RIS News.
Mercatus
President & Chief Operations Officer
Workshop: The Key to Digital Growth and Profitability: Connecting E-commerce Strategy, Technology and Operations
Sylvain Perrier is President & CEO of Mercatus, a leading provider of grocery eCommerce solutions. Perrier is highly sought after with over 20 years of executive-level experience in retail technology, pushing the boundaries in specialty areas such as mobile commerce, web technology, in-store operations, and Software as a Service (SaaS) architecture. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Perrier hosts the Digital Grocer podcast and is a recipient of Grocery Game Changer award by the editors of Winsight Grocery Business and was named a Top 10 Influential in Retail by RIS News.
Marcio Ribeiro
Dom’s Kitchen & Market
Chief Digital & Information Officer
The New Customer-Centric Grocery Experience
Marcio Ribeiro is the Chief Digital and Information Officer of Dom's Kitchen & Market, a Chicago-based startup focused on revolutionizing the meal shopping experience. With over 25 years of leadership experience in global companies, he played a pivotal role in defining Dom's mission, values, brand identity, and culture. In his current role, Mr. Ribeiro is responsible for delivering a differentiated and personalized shopping experience for Dom's customers through the integration e-commerce, mobile app, loyalty program, advanced data analytics, and other innovative digital solutions. Prior to joining Dom's, Mr. Ribeiro spent two decades in the Spirits & Wines industry, and seven years in the Gold & Silver mining industry. Originally from Brazil, Marcio has been in the United States since 2001, and lived in Spain for 6 years while leading teams in 14 countries across the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.
Dom’s Kitchen & Market
Chief Digital & Information Officer
The New Customer-Centric Grocery Experience
Marcio Ribeiro is the Chief Digital and Information Officer of Dom's Kitchen & Market, a Chicago-based startup focused on revolutionizing the meal shopping experience. With over 25 years of leadership experience in global companies, he played a pivotal role in defining Dom's mission, values, brand identity, and culture. In his current role, Mr. Ribeiro is responsible for delivering a differentiated and personalized shopping experience for Dom's customers through the integration e-commerce, mobile app, loyalty program, advanced data analytics, and other innovative digital solutions. Prior to joining Dom's, Mr. Ribeiro spent two decades in the Spirits & Wines industry, and seven years in the Gold & Silver mining industry. Originally from Brazil, Marcio has been in the United States since 2001, and lived in Spain for 6 years while leading teams in 14 countries across the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific.
Katie Riddle
Verizon
Global Hospitality Strategy Lead
Share Group: Accelerating Innovation and Achieving Omnipresence
Katie Riddle is responsible for leading global retail strategy for Verizon. In this role, she helps Verizon identify and address the challenges of retail's global ecosystem by leveraging the strengths of our global network fabric, technology innovations and partner solutions. As a member of the RetailWire Braintrust, Katie also creates retail thought leadership for Verizon colleagues, clients and industry leaders.
Prior to Verizon, Katie spent her 20+ year career with both agencies and global corporations, including Target, Philips, Intercontinental Hotel Group and many others. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, loves travel and food, and lives in Raleigh, NC with her human and canine daughters.
Verizon
Global Hospitality Strategy Lead
Share Group: Accelerating Innovation and Achieving Omnipresence
Katie Riddle is responsible for leading global retail strategy for Verizon. In this role, she helps Verizon identify and address the challenges of retail's global ecosystem by leveraging the strengths of our global network fabric, technology innovations and partner solutions. As a member of the RetailWire Braintrust, Katie also creates retail thought leadership for Verizon colleagues, clients and industry leaders.
Prior to Verizon, Katie spent her 20+ year career with both agencies and global corporations, including Target, Philips, Intercontinental Hotel Group and many others. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, loves travel and food, and lives in Raleigh, NC with her human and canine daughters.
Rana Schiff
Kroger
Senior Director, HR Business Partner, Technology & Digital
Automation, Talent, and Recruiting for a Fruitful Future
Rana earned her bachelor’s in management information systems from Miami University of Oxford. She went on to pursue her masters and graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2008 with an MBA.
As Senior Director of Human Resources, supporting Kroger Technology & Digital (KTD), 84.51° and Alternative Profit for The Kroger Co., Rana leads all direct HR functions to support over 4,000 associates. In addition, she is the key liaison for HR centers of excellence, ensuring KTD, 84.51° and Alternative Profit teams receive appropriate training while also overseeing staffing and recruitment efforts.
Rana joined Kroger in 2011 as a Senior Risk Manager for Kroger Personal Finance (KPF). Since then, she has held numerous leadership roles at Kroger including Senior Risk & Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Manager for Senior Business Partners, Retail Operations and Merchandising where she was the key Human Resources liaison supporting major retail strategies and initiatives. In 2019, she served as Director of Administration of New Business Development, overseeing the strategic relationship with Walgreens. She was then named Human Resources Leader supporting Kroger Health, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy and The Little Clinic until she was promoted into her current position. Prior to Kroger, Rana held roles at Axcess Financial where she worked in Risk Management and became a Certified Fraud Examiner. Rana began her career at Fifth Third Bank.
Rana lives in West Chester, Ohio with her husband and two sons. She enjoys exercising, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. When Rana is not at work, she gives focuses on giving back to her community. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Salvation Army Cincinnati Chapter.
Kroger
Senior Director, HR Business Partner, Technology & Digital
Automation, Talent, and Recruiting for a Fruitful Future
Rana earned her bachelor’s in management information systems from Miami University of Oxford. She went on to pursue her masters and graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2008 with an MBA.
As Senior Director of Human Resources, supporting Kroger Technology & Digital (KTD), 84.51° and Alternative Profit for The Kroger Co., Rana leads all direct HR functions to support over 4,000 associates. In addition, she is the key liaison for HR centers of excellence, ensuring KTD, 84.51° and Alternative Profit teams receive appropriate training while also overseeing staffing and recruitment efforts.
Rana joined Kroger in 2011 as a Senior Risk Manager for Kroger Personal Finance (KPF). Since then, she has held numerous leadership roles at Kroger including Senior Risk & Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Manager for Senior Business Partners, Retail Operations and Merchandising where she was the key Human Resources liaison supporting major retail strategies and initiatives. In 2019, she served as Director of Administration of New Business Development, overseeing the strategic relationship with Walgreens. She was then named Human Resources Leader supporting Kroger Health, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy and The Little Clinic until she was promoted into her current position. Prior to Kroger, Rana held roles at Axcess Financial where she worked in Risk Management and became a Certified Fraud Examiner. Rana began her career at Fifth Third Bank.
Rana lives in West Chester, Ohio with her husband and two sons. She enjoys exercising, traveling, reading, and spending time with her family. When Rana is not at work, she gives focuses on giving back to her community. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Salvation Army Cincinnati Chapter.
Grant Shova
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Head of eCommerce, Kroger Team
Understanding Customers Together: Retail and CPG Data Partnerships
Grant Shova is Grant Shova is a seasoned professional in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, currently serving as the PepsiCo Head of eComm for the Kroger Team, based in Cincinnati. With 19 years of experience in the industry, Grant has established himself as a leader in eCommerce sales, sales strategy, and digital transformation within PepsiCo.
In his current role, Grant is responsible for overseeing the eCommerce sales function, driving sales planning, and shaping digital strategy. He is a key driver in fostering an Omnichannel mindset, ensuring seamless integration across all business units and brands at PepsiCo.
Prior to joining PepsiCo, Grant played a crucial role as the Director of Client Leadership & Commercial Solutions at 84.51. During his tenure, he led strategic agendas with CPGs and spearheaded the development of Price/Promo strategies. Before that, Grant held various positions at Reckitt Benckiser and The Hershey Company, where he excelled in sales, category management, business development, and trade marketing. Throughout his career, Grant has worked closely with major retailers such as Kroger, Walmart, Target, Meijer, and Roundy's, gaining valuable insights and fostering strong relationships.
Grant's educational background includes a degree in Finance from the Miami University Farmer School of Business. Beyond his professional endeavors, Grant finds joy in spending quality time with his wife, Amy, and their three children. As a resident of Cincinnati, he embraces the vibrant culture and opportunities offered by the wonderful Queen City.
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Head of eCommerce, Kroger Team
Understanding Customers Together: Retail and CPG Data Partnerships
Grant Shova is Grant Shova is a seasoned professional in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, currently serving as the PepsiCo Head of eComm for the Kroger Team, based in Cincinnati. With 19 years of experience in the industry, Grant has established himself as a leader in eCommerce sales, sales strategy, and digital transformation within PepsiCo.
In his current role, Grant is responsible for overseeing the eCommerce sales function, driving sales planning, and shaping digital strategy. He is a key driver in fostering an Omnichannel mindset, ensuring seamless integration across all business units and brands at PepsiCo.
Prior to joining PepsiCo, Grant played a crucial role as the Director of Client Leadership & Commercial Solutions at 84.51. During his tenure, he led strategic agendas with CPGs and spearheaded the development of Price/Promo strategies. Before that, Grant held various positions at Reckitt Benckiser and The Hershey Company, where he excelled in sales, category management, business development, and trade marketing. Throughout his career, Grant has worked closely with major retailers such as Kroger, Walmart, Target, Meijer, and Roundy's, gaining valuable insights and fostering strong relationships.
Grant's educational background includes a degree in Finance from the Miami University Farmer School of Business. Beyond his professional endeavors, Grant finds joy in spending quality time with his wife, Amy, and their three children. As a resident of Cincinnati, he embraces the vibrant culture and opportunities offered by the wonderful Queen City.
Victor Vercammen
Giant Eagle
Vice President of Enterprise Safety & Healthcare Compliance
Automation, Talent, and Recruiting for a Fruitful Future
Victor Vercammen is the Vice President of Enterprise Safety & Healthcare Compliance at Giant Eagle where he leads the protection of guests, team members, assets, and products across all operations. Having held leadership positions at a number of large retailers and supply chain enterprises, Victor is a recognized risk and compliance leader with expertise in healthcare logistics, pharmacy inventory management, FDA and DEA compliance, retail healthcare operations, and environmental regulation. Victor holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Giant Eagle
Vice President of Enterprise Safety & Healthcare Compliance
Automation, Talent, and Recruiting for a Fruitful Future
Victor Vercammen is the Vice President of Enterprise Safety & Healthcare Compliance at Giant Eagle where he leads the protection of guests, team members, assets, and products across all operations. Having held leadership positions at a number of large retailers and supply chain enterprises, Victor is a recognized risk and compliance leader with expertise in healthcare logistics, pharmacy inventory management, FDA and DEA compliance, retail healthcare operations, and environmental regulation. Victor holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Kim Viccaro
Kenvue
North America Data Strategy Lead
Understanding Customers Together: Retail and CPG Data Partnerships
As North American Head of Data Strategy for Kenvue, Kim is responsible for developing Kenvue’s data foundation and realizing data led value across the organization. With a dynamic background encompassing Sales, Marketing, Category Strategy, Business Intelligence and Advanced Analytics, Kim possesses a unique ability to comprehend the end-to-end value chain. She seamlessly translates this understanding into robust data solutions, ensuring that Kenvue stays at the forefront of data-led innovation.
Kim’s extensive experience has also empowered her to identify strategic partners capable of translating Kenvue’s vision into tangible business outcomes. Through her agility and collaborative approach, she focuses on delivering exceptional results in the present while keeping a sharp focus on future innovation.
When Kim isn’t strategizing about data at work, she is running a hobby farm, sailing with her family and embracing the joy of keeping up with her teenagers. She holds her B.S. Degree from Cal State Long Beach and has continuously learned on her journey most recently attending the executive education program Leading in the Digital Era at Harvard Business School in 2022.
Kenvue
North America Data Strategy Lead
Understanding Customers Together: Retail and CPG Data Partnerships
As North American Head of Data Strategy for Kenvue, Kim is responsible for developing Kenvue’s data foundation and realizing data led value across the organization. With a dynamic background encompassing Sales, Marketing, Category Strategy, Business Intelligence and Advanced Analytics, Kim possesses a unique ability to comprehend the end-to-end value chain. She seamlessly translates this understanding into robust data solutions, ensuring that Kenvue stays at the forefront of data-led innovation.
Kim’s extensive experience has also empowered her to identify strategic partners capable of translating Kenvue’s vision into tangible business outcomes. Through her agility and collaborative approach, she focuses on delivering exceptional results in the present while keeping a sharp focus on future innovation.
When Kim isn’t strategizing about data at work, she is running a hobby farm, sailing with her family and embracing the joy of keeping up with her teenagers. She holds her B.S. Degree from Cal State Long Beach and has continuously learned on her journey most recently attending the executive education program Leading in the Digital Era at Harvard Business School in 2022.