International Women's Day at Giant Eagle

In addition to March being Women's History Month, today is also International Women's Day. In recognition of these two celebrations, we're thrilled to introduce seven of our talented women leaders within our Giant Eagle, GetGo, pharmacy and warehouse teams. They're each sharing their unique stories, the evolution behind their careers and what it means to practice self-care in their own lives.

Karla C., Prepared Foods Category Manager

Years of Service: 16

About Karla:

I’m a strong believer in the power of food to nurture the soul. I’m a Category Manager with over 15 years in retail experience, and I strive to create delicious programs that are easy to execute and bring customers memorable experiences. My focus is Fresh Foods, and my specialties include inventory management, store operations, procurement, menu and recipe development, customer service, data analytics and category management. Like many who binge watched The Queen’s Gambit, I’m a new chess player, and when not living inside 64 squares, I can also be found hitting the trails for long runs and bike rides with my loving family.

How do you practice and incorporate self-care in your life?

Running! Running has brought a new wave of peace into my life. It allows me to be out there alone, enjoying fresh air and processing daily events... It is ME TIME. It lets me clear my head and recharge my mind.

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Lauren K., Sr. Marketing Manager - Site and Social Media Content

Years of Service: 1.5

About Lauren:

I started my career doing visual design for Nordstrom in Denver, CO. While I loved the creative aspect, I desired to find something that incorporated my analytical skills. With that desire, I got into ecommerce and started my journey at Zappos.com in Vegas and then moved to the San Francisco Bay area and have worked at eBay on their fashion marketing as well as having worked at Facebook, where I helped established the merchandising strategy for their business to consumer efforts.

I’m excited to say that working for Giant Eagle, is my favorite job I’ve had in the Bay Area and believe that the team you work on can make all the difference. I’m challenged, empowered, and supported by all those around me to drive change on our sites and in our social channels, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

How do you practice and incorporate self-care in your life?

Throughout the pandemic, I couldn’t get to my gym and found a new appreciation for walking my neighborhood. Where I get to listen to music, podcasts or call and catch up with friends. I’m blessed to live in a climate that I can get outside year-round, and I get to do it with my newest family member, my rescue dog, Thatcher. He joins me on the walks, where we put in at least 3-5 miles of self-care a day.

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Meghann (Meggi) C., Organizational Development Specialist

Years of Service: 6

About Meggi:

I am a Pittsburgh native who is deeply passionate about the human experience. I earned my Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Pittsburgh, prior to joining Giant Eagle.

Deciding to make my career in Human Resources has been a no-brainer. I’ve been a part of some amazing things, from assisting Team Members with promotions through their development plans to informing a student worker that their Teaching Assistant position would completely pay for their education - that will stay with me forever.

My Giant Eagle career has afforded me rewarding experiences like providing voiceover work for Giant Eagle’s in-store radio, creating the GetGo Master University Training Program and becoming a certified Change Management Practitioner through PROSCI. Our organization has helped me to grow the roots I planted many years ago and continues to teach me new lessons.

How do you practice and incorporate self-care in your life?

I believe in the importance of mind, body, and soul. This holistic approach guides my self-care activities. Reading and learning keep my mind fresh. Taking daily walks with my family, eating homemade meals, and getting chiropractic adjustments help me to feel my best physically. My soul finds rest when I pray and connect with my Maker. I don’t do each of these things every day, but day by day, I create moments meant for me!

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Rolanda R., GetGo Store Leader

Location: GetGo - Lawrence, IN

Years of Service: Almost 4

About Rolanda:

I’m the mother of two kids – Joshua (20) and Jennija (17). I’m from Crystal Springs, Mississippi, and I’ve resided in Indianapolis for the past four years. I had set a goal for myself to become a Store Leader within 3-5 years and I’ve proudly reached that goal.

How do you practice and incorporate self-care in your life?

I incorporate self-care by resting, eating well and remembering to take the time to care for those around me. My self-care is caring for others.

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Stefanie S., HR Business Manager

Location: Fresh Foods Manufacturing (FFM)

Years of Service: 10.5

About Stefanie:

I started with Giant Eagle in 2011 in retail pharmacy as a Regional Trainer and then moved to the Specialty Pharmacy operations a couple years later. From there, I moved into a Confidential HR Coordinator position at Fresh Foods Manufacturing and was promoted to the HR Manager. I’ve been in this position for a little under a year. I live in Zelienople with my significant other and miniature schnauzer, Doogie Schnauzer. I love to travel and enjoy the art of craft cocktails. As a trained mixologist, I enjoy coming up with new cocktail recipes and trying them, of course!

How do you practice and incorporate self-care in your life?

Self-care is something that is extremely important to me. One of Giant Eagle’s Core Values is Live Well, and I am constantly reminded of that daily. If I do not take care of myself, I cannot care for my HR team and my Team Members at FFM. One thing I do to incorporate self-care on a daily basis is getting in an early morning work out before my workday begins to help with my stress level and endorphins. Another large part of that is making sure I get enough sleep at night and properly winding down by reading or doing breathing exercises before bed. I also enjoy getting a manicure every few weeks to take some “me” time. And if you are a dog lover like myself, there is no better self-care then some quality snuggles with my fluffy, four-legged child. I also enjoy going out for a nice meal and bottle of wine on the weekends. I love to travel (mostly to a warm weather beach) and try to enjoy my vacation time to the fullest. To me self-care really means doing the things that you love and that fill your heart and soul with happiness so you can be the best person you can be.

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Erika E., Personal Care, Beauty, Pet & Baby Category Director

Years of Service: 6

About Erika:

I am the Director of Personal Care, Beauty, Pet & Baby Merchandising at Giant Eagle. I love that in my current role, I play a part in bringing everyday essentials as well as fun, innovative products to our customers. I am also a member of our supplier diversity group—which focuses on increasing the number of diverse suppliers that we partner with and helping their brands grow.

Prior to joining Giant Eagle, I worked in advertising where I had the ability to connect my passion for creativity to my interest in business. I graduated from Pitt with a BSBA with a major in marketing.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my cats and baking. I am also a member of the United Way Bridges Society and Women’s Leadership Council.

How do you practice and incorporate self-care in your life?

I love to learn and try new things. I’m currently taking a pottery class at a local art studio. Having your hands covered in clay is a great way to disconnect from your phone and email for a few hours.

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Angela G., Pharmacy District Leader

Years of Service: 21

About Angela:

I have been a licensed Pharmacist for 27 years in both Ohio and Massachusetts. Additionally, I hold degrees in Biology and Art History from The Ohio State University. I have been a full-time working mom for the last 20 years, and I have worked as a Pharmacy Leader and District Leader in both Massachusetts and Ohio. I feel my greatest achievement is my ability to not only be a full-time Pharmacy District Leader at Giant Eagle, but also to be successful in my personal life, as a wife and mother.

How do you practice and incorporate self-care in your life?

I enjoy spending time traveling with family, and I also try to take a little time each day for myself, whether it be going for a walk, reading a book, or playing with my three dogs.

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