What does sustained career growth look like when it is driven not by a rigid master plan, but by purpose, preparation, and perspective? In today’s evolving landscape of non-linear career paths, success often comes from adaptability rather than predictability.
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn sits down with Ann Visser-Depp, Food Industry Leader and Partner at ReposiTrak, to explore a career built on curiosity, consistency, and strategic risk-taking, one that ultimately led her into food safety leadership at scale.
Ann shares her journey from high school cashier to hospitality leader, then re-entering the grocery industry as an accounting clerk before advancing rapidly into a VP role. Today, she works directly with retailers, wholesalers, suppliers, and manufacturers to help operationalize complex regulatory requirements tied to grocery industry compliance and supply chain traceability.
Her role centers on translating regulatory and technical standards into practical, cross-functional execution, breaking down complex initiatives into manageable steps that organizations can realistically implement.
This conversation moves beyond career milestones and into leadership philosophy, enterprise accountability, and the evolving expectations around food safety as a core business discipline in today’s grocery industry.
Episode Highlights
(00:30) What ReposiTrak does—and how Ann helps organizations operationalize traceability and compliance requirements
(05:40) A non-linear career path: how hospitality and early roles shaped Ann’s leadership foundation
(08:41) Becoming one of the organization’s first female buyers—and how internal visibility creates opportunity
(15:08) Transitioning from wholesale leadership to the vendor side—and the power of professional relationships
(21:45) Why food safety is no longer confined to a single department
(29:20) Leadership lessons learned: adjusting expectations, slowing down, and creating space for meaningful dialogue
(33:14) Candid advice for candidates: demonstrate business understanding, not just task execution
“Food safety is not a department, it’s a business discipline.”
— Ann Visser-Depp
What You’ll Learn from This Episode
- How non-linear career paths can create stronger leaders
- Why internal reputation matters more than credentials alone
- How executive leadership must approach food safety today
- The importance of adjusting leadership style
- How to stand out as a candidate
Connect with Ann
Connect with Ann Visser-Depp on LinkedIn
Stay Candid
Candid with Candidates shares real stories from inside major organizations—stories that don’t make it into the slide decks or LinkedIn highlight reels. Follow along for conversations that inform, encourage, and help you navigate your own path to leadership.
Follow Candid with Candidates on Apple and Spotify to catch up on all episodes.