Candid With Candidates

How To Stay Relevant in a Rapidly Changing Industry With Aaron Gottlieb of Advantage Solutions

After 24 Years in Retail, Aaron Gottlieb Says Career Growth Starts in the Field—Not the Office. In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Aaron Gottlieb, Executive Vice President of New Business Development for Retailer & Experiential Services at Advantage Solutions and President of Daymon Japan, to explore a career shaped by intentional moves, cross-functional experience, and a commitment to understanding how businesses truly operate. Aaron shares how an early piece of advice—to leave corporate headquarters and gain field experience—fundamentally changed his perspective and accelerated his career. He also reflects on the importance of taking ownership, building a strong professional brand, and continuously seeking opportunities to grow. Drawing on decades of experience across global retail, brands, and service organizations, Aaron offers thoughtful insight into: * Why career ownership is essential for long-term growth and leadership development * The value of cross-functional experience in building effective, empathetic leaders * How to navigate change and uncertainty with agility and resilience * The importance of aligning strategy with in-store execution to drive real results * How to approach difficult decisions and learn from leadership missteps * What differentiates high-performing candidates in today’s competitive environment * Why curiosity, preparation, and mindset matter as much as experience in interviews * The growing role of AI as a tool for accelerating insight and decision-making Aaron also shares his perspective on the evolving retail landscape, including the continued importance of the in-store experience and the opportunity for organizations to better connect strategy with execution. Whether you’re an emerging leader, experienced professional, or navigating your next career move, this episode offers practical guidance on leadership, adaptability, and building a meaningful career. 🎧 Listen now and gain insight into leadership, growth, and building a career with lasting impact. Guest Links: Connect with Aaron Gottlieb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajgottlieb/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajgottlieb/] Explore Advantage Solutions: https://youradv.com/ [https://youradv.com/] Explore Daymon Japan: https://daymon.com/ [https://daymon.com/]  Next Steps: Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail. For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-hahn-5698b66a/]

From Pet Industry Executive to Private Equity CEO: How Kristi Ross Scales Growth

What does it truly take to step into a CEO role—and how do you build a career that prepares you for that level of leadership? In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Kristi Ross, CEO of Three Dog Brands, joins Jenn Hahn for a thoughtful conversation on executive leadership, career progression, and driving growth within a private equity-backed organization. As CEO of Three Dog Brands, Kristi shares her journey from marketing and sales leadership to her first CEO role, offering insight into how diverse experiences, strategic decision-making, and strong networks contributed to her career advancement. She also provides a clear view into the realities of leading a scaling business—balancing long-term vision with operational execution. In this episode, Kristi discusses: * What the CEO role looks like in practice, including operational and strategic responsibilities * How to transition from functional leadership into enterprise-wide decision-making * The differences between large, structured organizations and private equity-backed companies * Why speed and adaptability are critical in high-growth environments * The value of cross-functional experience in preparing for executive leadership * How to assess opportunities based on strengths, values, and long-term goals * The role of mentorship and networking in career development * Building a culture that supports both performance and sustainability Kristi also reflects on the importance of trusting your instincts, making intentional career moves, and developing the confidence to pursue leadership opportunities—even when the path is not linear. Whether you are an emerging leader, a seasoned professional considering your next step, or someone interested in the dynamics of executive leadership within private equity, this episode offers practical insights and actionable guidance. 🎧 Listen now and gain insight into leadership, growth, and building a career with lasting impact. Guest Links: Connect with Kristi Ross: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristidross/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristidross/] Explore Three Dog Brands: https://threedog.com/ [https://threedog.com/]  Next Steps: Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail. For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-hahn-5698b66a/]

From Box-Boy to President and CEO—An Interview with Ryan Adams of Gelson's Markets

What does it take to build a long-term career in grocery retail—and ultimately step into the President & CEO role? In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Ryan Adams, President & CEO of Gelson's Markets, to discuss his career journey from entry-level store roles to leading a premium regional grocery organization. With more than 25 years of experience across large national retailers and independent operations, Ryan shares the key decisions, challenges, and leadership principles that shaped his path to the C-suite. Ryan provides a clear and practical perspective on executive leadership, highlighting the importance of balancing strategic thinking with operational execution, aligning teams around a shared vision, and maintaining focus on enterprise-wide impact. Throughout the conversation, he shares insights on: * What the President & CEO role looks like on a day-to-day basis * Why embracing discomfort is critical to long-term career growth * How authenticity and storytelling can differentiate candidates in interviews * The importance of excelling in your current role while preparing for future opportunities * How cross-functional experience and lateral moves contribute to leadership development * The value of mentorship, continuous learning, and professional networks * Why effective leadership requires humility, curiosity, and collaboration Ryan also reflects on the importance of community in both leadership and business. He shares how his approach extends beyond serving customers to include building strong internal teams and fostering meaningful partnerships across the industry. His commitment to developing people is centered on creating environments where individuals feel supported, encouraged to ask questions, and empowered to grow—ultimately strengthening organizational performance and long-term success. Whether you're an emerging leader, a retail professional, or someone aspiring to executive leadership, this episode offers practical, experience-based guidance on navigating career growth and leading with purpose. 🎧 Listen now and gain insight into leadership, growth, and building a career with lasting impact. Guest Links: Connect with Ryan Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-adams-50aa5341/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-adams-50aa5341/] Explore Gelson's Markets: https://www.gelsons.com/ [https://www.gelsons.com/]  Next Steps: Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail. For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-hahn-5698b66a/]

Why Food Safety Is No Longer a Department: Ann Visser-Depp on Her Journey to Advising Top Retailers on Compliance Strategy and Supply Chain Accountability

Behind every compliant supplier file and traceable product movement is a disciplined system—and a leader ensuring it works. In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Ann Visser-Depp, Food Industry Leader and Partner at ReposiTrak, about a professional journey that spans hospitality, accounting, procurement, executive leadership, and now food safety and compliance strategy across the grocery supply chain. Ann reflects on her unconventional path from high school cashier to vice president, and ultimately to the vendor side of the industry. Rather than following a linear trajectory, her growth was shaped by curiosity, mentorship, operational rigor, and a willingness to pursue opportunity over title. Jenn and Ann explore several critical themes relevant to today’s retail and wholesale leaders: * The strategic value of early career experiences in hospitality and operations * The importance of securing entry into an organization and building credibility from within * How internal reputation and cross-functional visibility influence promotion decisions * Why food safety must be treated as an enterprise-wide discipline, not a siloed function * The cultural role executive leadership plays in establishing accountability around compliance * Lessons in leadership development, including the need to slow down, ask better questions, and create space for dialogue * Practical advice for candidates on preparation, strategic thinking, and professional follow-up Ann also provides thoughtful insight into the growing complexity of regulatory environments, including traceability and supply chain compliance. She emphasizes that food safety is not merely a regulatory requirement, but a foundational business responsibility that affects procurement, operations, information technology, merchandising, and executive leadership alike. For professionals seeking advancement, this episode offers clear guidance: understand how the business makes money, think beyond task execution, prepare rigorously, and demonstrate alignment with organizational culture and purpose. Whether you are an emerging leader, an executive navigating cross-functional complexity, or a candidate preparing for your next opportunity, this episode is for you. 🎧Listen now to gain practical insight into building influence, leading with intention, and positioning yourself for long-term impact in the grocery industry. Guest Links: Connect with Ann Visser-Depp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-visser-depp-633b39163/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-visser-depp-633b39163/] Explore ReposiTrak: http://www.repositrak.com [http://www.repositrak.com/]  Next Steps: Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail. For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-hahn-5698b66a/]

How Larree Renda Built a 40-Year Career at Safeway — From Store Associate to EVP

What does it take to build a four-decade leadership career in one of the most complex and competitive industries in retail—without a traditional corporate path? In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Larree Renda, retired Executive Vice President of Safeway, Inc., to discuss her remarkable career journey—from starting as a grocery bagger at age 16 to ultimately overseeing major corporate functions supporting nearly 4,000 stores across North America. Larree shares how resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning helped her rise through the ranks of a Fortune 500 company during a time when executive leadership in grocery retail was overwhelmingly male-dominated. Along the way, she led critical areas including retail operations, human resources, manufacturing, distribution, labor relations, and public affairs. Throughout the conversation, Larree reflects on pivotal leadership moments—from stepping into roles outside her comfort zone to launching the Safeway Foundation, an initiative that ultimately generated hundreds of millions of dollars annually for community causes and cancer research. With 40 years of executive experience, Larree offers a thoughtful perspective on leadership, career development, and the mindset required to grow into increasingly complex roles. In this episode, Larree shares insight into: * Building a career at Safeway that began with a part-time job at age 16 * Leading operations across 4,000+ stores in North America * Why curiosity and continuous learning are essential leadership traits * The creation and long-term impact of the Safeway Foundation * Navigating executive leadership while raising a family * A practical framework for aligning personal strengths with organizational needs * Why courage is often the defining trait separating strong leaders from the rest Whether you are an emerging leader, a retail professional, or someone navigating the transition into more senior roles, this episode provides practical insight into leadership growth, decision-making, and building a meaningful career over time. 🎧 Listen now to hear how resilience, curiosity, and courageous leadership can shape a lasting impact in both business and community. Guest Links: Connect with Larree Renda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larree-renda-33998799/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/larree-renda-33998799/] Explore Safeway, Inc.:https://www.safeway.com/ [https://www.safeway.com/]  Next Steps: Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail. For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-hahn-5698b66a/]