From Bagger to Boardroom: How Larree Renda Built a 40-Year Career at Safeway and a Legacy That Changed Retail
Behind every successful retail organization is a leader who understands both the operational complexity of the business and the people who power it. And that leader was Larree Renda.
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jennifer Hahn speaks with Larree Renda, retired Executive Vice President of Safeway, about the remarkable career that took her from her first job as a grocery bagger at age 16 to overseeing thousands of stores, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and corporate functions across North America.
Larree’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning. After losing her father at a young age, she entered the workforce early to support herself while finishing high school. What began as a job to make ends meet gradually evolved into a decades-long career marked by increasing leadership responsibility and significant organizational impact.
Throughout the conversation, Larree reflects on how curiosity and humility shaped her leadership style. Rather than approaching new responsibilities as the expert in the room, she consistently approached them as opportunities to learn—from the people she worked with, the teams she led, and the evolving retail landscape itself.
One of the most defining initiatives of her career was the creation of the Safeway Foundation. Originally developed as a way to strengthen community engagement, the foundation introduced point-of-sale charitable donations—an idea that was largely unheard of in retail at the time. The initiative ultimately grew into a major philanthropic engine, generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually for causes such as cancer research, community nutrition, and support for people with disabilities.
Larree also shares candid insights on navigating leadership without a traditional academic background, balancing the demands of executive leadership while raising three children, and why courage—particularly the courage to make difficult decisions and have difficult conversations—often determines whether leaders continue to advance in their careers.
Her story offers valuable lessons for professionals across industries: meaningful leadership is not defined by titles alone, but by curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to keep learning.
Episode Highlights
(01:48) Larree’s early beginnings—finding her first job at Safeway at age 16
(05:32) Recognizing that retail could become a long-term career
(07:04) Navigating leadership growth without a traditional college degree
(09:49) Leading new functions by prioritizing curiosity and learning
(10:42) Managing Safeway’s international joint venture operations in Mexico
(16:40) The launch of the Safeway Foundation and the introduction of point-of-sale charitable donations
(20:01) How the foundation grew to generate hundreds of millions annually for community causes
(28:25) Balancing executive leadership responsibilities with raising three children
(32:51) The leadership framework that combines passion, skill set, and organizational need
(38:25) Continuing to contribute after retirement through board service
(45:45) The importance of diverse perspectives in leadership decision-making
(50:37) Candid advice for candidates pursuing leadership roles
(54:46) Why courage is the defining trait that separates strong leaders from the rest
“Never stop learning. The moment you believe you know everything is the moment you stop growing.”
What You’ll Learn from This Episode
How curiosity and continuous learning can accelerate leadership growth
Why stepping outside your comfort zone often leads to the most meaningful opportunities
How courageous decision-making plays a critical role in executive leadership
Strategies for balancing professional leadership responsibilities with family life
The impact of diversity and representation in leadership decision-making
How innovative thinking can transform community engagement in retail organizations
What hiring leaders look for in candidates beyond qualifications and experience
Connect with Larree
Connect with Larree Renda on LinkedIn
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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.
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