Emily Detwiler
Saying Yes to Growth: How Emily Detwiler Built Her Career Through Opportunity, Networking, and Adaptability
Career growth is rarely linear. For Emily Detwiler, Vice President of AWG Brands at Associated Wholesale Grocers, building a successful career has meant embracing unfamiliar opportunities, developing meaningful professional relationships, and continuously adapting to new challenges.
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, host Jenn Hahn speaks with Emily about her career spanning more than two decades across the grocery and consumer packaged goods industries, including leadership roles at Daymon Worldwide, Smithfield Foods, and the Kansas City Barbecue Society.
Emily shares how her willingness to take on new responsibilities helped shape her path to leading AWG's $1.6 billion private brands portfolio. She also discusses the importance of networking, maintaining a positive mindset during career setbacks, and balancing professional growth with personal responsibilities.
The conversation concludes with Emily's perspective as a hiring leader, including why preparation, curiosity, enthusiasm, and genuine kindness can make candidates stand out beyond their resumes.
Whether you're pursuing a leadership position or navigating your next career move, this episode offers practical insights into building a career through adaptability, strong relationships, and continuous learning.
Episode Highlights
(04:22) How AWG's cooperative model supports independent grocers
(08:41) Inside Emily's role leading private brands and brand strategy
(14:08) Emily's career journey across CPG, grocery, and nonprofit leadership
(19:23) How embracing new opportunities shaped her path to AWG
(20:38) The importance of networking and professional relationships in career advancement
(25:55) How to approach professional recommendations effectively
(28:49) Maintaining a positive mindset through career setbacks and challenges
(33:51) Building confidence and adaptability as leadership responsibilities expand
(36:21) Managing burnout through delegation, prioritization, and strategic boundaries
(42:09) What Emily looks for when interviewing potential candidates
(44:23) Why kindness, curiosity, and enthusiasm matter in professional growth
“You do just have to keep showing up, and you just have to keep that positive mindset because people are always watching.”
What You’ll Learn from This Episode
How embracing unfamiliar opportunities can support long-term career growth
Why adaptability and transferable skills are valuable when transitioning between roles and industries
The role of networking and professional relationships in creating career opportunities
How to navigate career setbacks with a positive and growth-oriented mindset
Why effective leadership requires delegation, prioritization, and setting boundaries
How to balance professional development with personal responsibilities
What hiring leaders value beyond qualifications and experience
How preparation, curiosity, and enthusiasm can strengthen interview performance
Why kindness and genuine professional relationships contribute to lasting career success
Listen to the Episode
Click here to stream the full episode on your favorite platform: Apple Podcast | Spotify
Connect with Emily Detwiler 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.
Visit www.candidwithcandidates.com to catch up on all episodes.
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