Kristin Popp of Woodman’s Food Market & WGA on Leading “Everything” with Purpose
Leadership at the executive level rarely fits neatly into a job description. At Woodman’s Food Market, that reality is embodied by Kristin Popp, Executive Vice President of the employee-owned grocery retailer with 20 stores across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.
In the Season 2 premiere of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Kristin to explore what it truly means to oversee a large, complex organization—while also shaping its future. With nearly three decades at Woodman’s, Kristin’s career path spans accounting, human resources, and operational leadership, giving her a uniquely cross-functional perspective on business, people, and long-term strategy.
Throughout the conversation, Kristin shares how she approaches enterprise leadership, prepares her teams for what’s next, and remains grounded in the core purpose of grocery retail: serving communities. She also discusses her role as President of Women Grocers of America, her commitment to leadership development across the industry, and the intentional choices she makes to balance executive leadership with family life.
This episode offers valuable insight for professionals at every stage of their career—especially those aspiring to senior leadership roles in retail, grocery, and operations-driven organizations.
Episode Highlights
(00:01) Launching Season 2 and setting the vision for the year ahead
(03:30) What the EVP role entails in a 20-store, employee-owned organization
(05:23) Supporting senior leaders while maintaining accountability and alignment
(06:27) Why strategic planning starts before the new year—not on January 1st
(09:52) From college job to career: Kristin’s entry into the grocery industry
(12:13) Transitioning from accounting and HR into enterprise leadership
(14:10) Why does excelling in your current role create future opportunities
(17:10) The importance of stepping outside your comfort zone to grow
(21:32) Managing time, priorities, and expectations at the executive level
(26:10) Balancing leadership, industry involvement, and motherhood
(29:29) Why grocery retail plays a critical role in community impact
(31:49) Candid advice for candidates preparing for leadership roles
“When I put my name on something, I take full ownership and do it to the best of my ability—and then more.
We’re not just selling groceries. We’re feeding communities.”
What You’ll Learn from This Episode
What executive leadership looks like beyond the title
How cross-functional experience strengthens strategic decision-making
Why curiosity, accountability, and consistency drive long-term career growth
How to prepare teams for the future while managing day-to-day operations
Practical approaches to time management and prioritization at senior levels
The broader impact grocery retailers have on the communities they serve
Why first impressions and professional presence still matter
Connect with Kristin
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.
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