Women Grocers of America Symposium Brings Together Leaders of Independent Grocery Industry in Atlanta

Atlanta, GA - The National Grocers Association (NGA) celebrated the success of the 2025 Women Grocers of America (WGA) Symposium, held at the Coca-Cola Company Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, where women leaders and rising professionals from across the independent grocery sector gathered for two days of education, collaboration, and networking.

"The Symposium was nothing short of phenomenal - a powerful gathering dedicated to supporting women within our industry through a balance of personal and professional development and creating a space for networking and building relationships. The energy, inspiration, and shared commitment to progress created an unforgettable experience," said Kristin Popp, WGA president. "Our partnership with Coca-Cola elevated the event to new heights, with their gracious hosting and hospitality providing the perfect backdrop for meaningful connection and growth. Together, we not only highlighted the importance of what WGA is doing to support women in the industry but also set the stage for continued collaboration and lasting impact."

The Symposium, organized WGA, and hosted by The Coca-Cola Company, featured a dynamic program of keynote addresses, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking discussions designed to strengthen leadership skills, share best practices, and advance opportunities for women in grocery.

"We were honored to host the Women Grocers of America Symposium and to support such an important platform for dialogue, mentorship, and leadership development. At The Coca-Cola Company, we believe that empowering women leaders strengthens not only the grocery industry, but the communities it serves," said Marvin Vines, VP, Industry Leadership - Retail, The Coca-Cola Company. "This event was a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the incredible impact women are making across independent grocery."

Key themes of the 2025 WGA Symposium included:

• Addressing operational and workforce challenges in today's grocery landscape

• Strategies for effective leadership and resilience in changing markets

• Opportunities for growth and innovation across retail, wholesale, and supplier communities

• Building meaningful connections to support women's advancement throughout the independent grocery industry

"When I first joined Women Grocers of America, it was a small but mighty network of women determined to make their voices heard. To see how much WGA has grown since then, and to now be part of a Symposium that brings together such a powerful and diverse group of leaders, is truly inspiring," said Kathy Kuzava, president, Georgia Food Industry Association. "This event reflects just how far we've come as an organization and as an industry in creating opportunities for women to lead, connect, and thrive."

Attendees left with actionable insights, new professional relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose in supporting the growth and strength of the independent grocery industry.

You can learn more about WGA here.

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About Women Grocers of America

WGA - operating under the NGA Foundation - is a professional development network for women in the independent grocery industry who work for NGA member companies.

About the National Grocers Association Foundation

The NGA Foundation is the 501(c)3 nonprofit arm of the National Grocers Association, dedicated to cultivating and strengthening the independent grocery industry's workforce. Through education, leadership development, and scholarships, the Foundation empowers the next generation of grocery professionals while supporting current industry leaders. By investing in talent, fostering innovation, promoting career growth, and offering targeted support to help grocers operate various government assistance programs, the NGA Foundation ensures that independent grocers remain vital pillars of the communities they serve. For more information, visit https://www.ngafoundation.org.

About NGA

NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 percent of the nation's overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers' associations, manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit https://www.nationalgrocers.org.