Chelsea Matzen, Vice President Foundation at the National Grocers Association, unpacks how scholarships, mentorship, and community-powered programs shape the next generation of independent retail leaders.

She gets candid about:

• drawing healthy boundaries in an always-on world,
• the broader shift toward digital convenience, especially for Gen Z shoppers,
• and leadership, inclusion, and the future of feeding communities

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Sign up for women leadership opportunities in the independent grocery industry
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F: https://www.facebook.com/NationalGrocersAssn
L: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-grocers-association/

Host: Kristin Popp
To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

How Sheila Ebanks Leads at Coca-Cola While Raising Four Kids

Sheila Ebanks, Head of Large Store at The Coca-Cola Company, shares her inspiring journey from delivery truck driver to managing key retail partnerships with Albertsons, Publix, and H-E-B. As a mother of four (ages 5 to 28), Sheila redefines work-life balance through intentional integration—prioritizing family events and embracing flexibility.

She opens up about mentorship, building a “challenger network,” and using AI to free teams from mundane tasks. From relaunching Diet Coke with Lime to navigating career growth, Sheila offers four guiding principles: ask powerful questions, learn from failure, own your worth, and leverage your network.

Tune in for candid insights on leadership, motherhood, and making meaningful impact. Share this episode with anyone balancing ambition and family.

Did you love the show - Text and tell us why.

National Grocers Association Foundation
Welcome to "Grocery From Her Seat," the WGA podcast offering a unique perspective on the independent

Support the show

Sign up for women leadership opportunities in the independent grocery industry
Join WGA
Join NGA
Attend this year's NGA show
F: https://www.facebook.com/NationalGrocersAssn
L: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-grocers-association/

Host: Kristin Popp
To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

Shannon Clark takes us on a remarkable journey from building a log cabin by hand in rural Kentucky to revolutionizing marketing strategies at Houchens Food Group. This conversation reveals how her unconventional path—beginning in apparel manufacturing before transitioning to retail operations and eventually grocery e-commerce—equipped her with unique perspectives that drive her success today.

Shannon offers refreshingly honest insights about work-life balance, challenging the notion that we can "have it all." Instead, she advocates extending grace to yourself, recognizing that balance looks different every day, and being fully present for non-negotiable moments with family. This philosophy has sustained her 20-year marriage and allowed her to thrive professionally while raising two children.

Her forward-looking perspective emphasizes the strategic implementation of AI, evolving data management practices, and seamless integration of technology into physical stores, all while maintaining the human connection that ultimately wins customers' loyalty.

Ready to transform how you approach challenges in grocery and beyond? Shannon's mantra of "Edit As You Go" reminds us that success requires constant learning, adaptation, and the courage to pivot when necessary. Subscribe now to hear more stories and insights from the remarkable women shaping the independent grocery industry.

Houchens Food Group, Inc

(2) Shannon Clark | LinkedIn

Did you love the show - Text and tell us why.

National Grocers Association Foundation
Welcome to "Grocery From Her Seat," the WGA podcast offering a unique perspective on the independent

Support the show

Sign up for women leadership opportunities in the independent grocery industry
Join WGA
Join NGA
Attend this year's NGA show
F: https://www.facebook.com/NationalGrocersAssn
L: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-grocers-association/

Host: Kristin Popp
To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot