From operators to suppliers: Meet the 2026 Most Influential Women in Convenience Services

Taylor Bartholomew-Bibikan is a results-driven leader with over a decade of experience in the convenience services and automated retail industry. Currently serving as director of national accounts at Automated Retail Technologies, she specializes in customer success, strategic partnerships and implementation of innovative retail solutions for leading brands nationwide. Taylor’s career began in vending operations, where her passion for the industry and dedication to customer experience laid the foundation for her professional journey. Known for fostering cross-functional collaboration and driving measurable growth, she has a demonstrated ability to build strong client relationships and lead teams with vision and purpose.

April Cathcart

April Cathcart is a CPG veteran and brand enthusiast with a career spanning multiple categories and channels. She currently serves as chief operating officer at G&J Sales and Marketing, where she focuses on connecting operators, manufacturers and strategic partners across the convenience services ecosystem to unlock incremental value through collaboration. 

Previously, as director of sales for unattended retail at Mars Wrigley, April led U.S. strategy and execution across vending, micro markets and emerging retail technology. During her tenure, she helped expand resources and expertise while driving growth, innovation and industry thought leadership. 

Known for her people-first leadership style and passion for results, April brings a unique partnership approach to every role. She also serves on the board of directors for the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) and is most proud to hold the title of “working mom” to her three spunky kiddos.

Joanna Choi

Joanna Choi is the senior national partnership manager at Bevi, the smart sparkling water system that’s often imitated and never duplicated. She leads distributor partnerships across North America, building the relationships that power Bevi’s rapid growth.

A proud Cornell graduate, Joanna carved out a standout career across the OCS and beverage world — with key roles at Aramark Refreshment Services, Filterfresh Coffee Service, and iconic coffee brands like Peet’s, Irving Farm and Nespresso.

Today, Joanna is known for turning partnerships into performance. She drives strategic initiatives that deliver real results, champions high impact collaboration and builds distributor relationships that last. With deep industry expertise and a hands-on, personalized approach, she helps businesses grow stronger, faster and smarter.

Monica Diaz

Monica Diaz is a senior strategic account director at Crafty, where she oversees some of the largest and most complex client programs. For the past 8.5 years, Monica has worked directly with clients across the globe to shape their food and beverage programs and help Crafty scale from one market to over 45. Monica established Crafty’s first Client Success department, shaping its structure, approach and expectations. She is motivated by solving complex challenges, supporting her team's development, and fostering long-term client partnerships. 

Through her deep knowledge of the company, her clients and the industry, she is the go-to person for shaping Crafty’s technology to provide clients with what they need while increasing internal efficiencies. She is passionate about connecting people and greatly values relationships. 

Monica spoke on an industry panel in December 2024, sharing insights on how to grow existing business through pantry.

Ashley Hubler

Ashley Hubler is chief marketing officer at The Wittern Group, parent company of U‑Select‑It (USI), where she serves on the executive team and drives growth through digital transformation, brand strategy and integrated marketing. Ashley serves on the board of directors for NAMA, is a member of the Board Audit Committee, a trustee of the NAMA Foundation, and contributes to NAMA’s Government Affairs and Education Committees. She is actively involved in NAMA’s Women in Industry and is a former member of the Emerging Leaders Network. At the state level, Ashley serves as secretary of the Iowa Automatic Merchandising Association. She holds an MBA with Distinction from the University of Iowa, has completed executive programs at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business (NAMA’s Executive Development Program), and is a Project Management Institute certified PMP.

Allison Krupp

Allison Krupp is a results-driven product operations leader currently serving as senior manager of product operations at 365 Retail Markets, where she brings more than eight years of experience driving operational planning, project implementation and customer operations. Allison is passionate about executing and closing complex initiatives efficiently, creating space for innovation and future growth.

Allison has held many roles at 365 Retail Markets, including manager of international customer operations and international business development manager. These roles helped her build a deep expertise in cross-functional collaboration, global operations and problem-solving. Her work has contributed to industry recognition, including 40 Under 40 by Automatic Merchandiser.

Allison holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Central Michigan University, is currently pursuing her Professional Certificate in Product Management from Northwestern Kellogg School of Management and is the former Membership Chair for NAMA’s Emerging Leaders Network.

Robin Leeson

Robin Leeson was nominated for the 2026 Most Influential Women in the Convenience Services Industry for her work with national accounts for International Marketing Systems, serving OCS operators.

Gretchen McDonald

Gretchen McDonald has had a transformative impact on the industry, blending high level logistics with a deep-rooted understanding of operator needs. She started her career with Naturals2Go, mentoring operators on building a scalable vending business and coaching them on expansion into coffee and markets. Before returning to her roots as a supply chain manager, Gretchen built a reputation for excellence as a successful route owner. Managing a fleet of 40 machines, she gained firsthand insight into the daily challenges of today’s operator — experience she now leverages to optimize equipment and streamline supply chain efficiencies for hundreds of entrepreneurs nationwide.

Gretchen’s dual perspective is a rarity. By modernizing procurement and advocating for resilient logistics, she has ensured that Naturals2Go operators remain competitive in a volatile market. Her commitment to mentorship and her “boots-on-the-ground” expertise make her a cornerstone of the convenience services community and a true industry trailblazer.

Kerrie Nollette

With over two decades of experience at Pyramid Technologies, Kerrie Nollette evolved from a firmware developer into a visionary vice president of engineering. She leads an interdisciplinary team of electrical, embedded, mechanical and software designers, driving innovation at the intersection of hardware and user experiences.

By approaching every project with the curiosity of an end user, Kerrie ensures Pyramid’s products are both intuitive and technically sound. She fosters a collaborative environment where product development balances a user-friendly consumer interface with robust implementation for industry partners. Her leadership bridges the gap between engineering excellence and real-world application, transforming sophisticated designs into reliable, market-ready solutions.

Kerrie contributed to technical standards committees for over a decade, serving the convenience services and amusement sectors through NAMA and AAMA. Outside work, she enjoys spending time with family, volunteering for local community initiatives, and losing herself in a great book.

Pamela Patterson

Brittany Prager is a seasoned CPG executive with a successful track record of building and scaling business units across The Hershey Company. Brittany is currently a national account manager, where she has built a nine-year career driving growth across various channels. In her current role, she calls on The Compass Group, managing strategic partnerships within their multi-sector business while delivering innovative solutions that align brand objectives with customer needs. 

Throughout her tenure at Hershey, she has consistently demonstrated a strong ability to translate data into action, elevate customer engagement and support sustainable revenue growth across complex, multi-location accounts. She is known for her collaborative approach, attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence. Brittany is passionate about advancing the convenience services industry, fostering long-term partnerships and working with future leaders in the space.

Linda Saldaña

Linda Saldaña is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Seventh Wave Refreshments and Galia Coffee Co., purpose-driven companies dedicated to transforming the modern workplace through elevated refreshment and hospitality experiences. With nearly 15 years of industry experience, Linda is widely recognized for her innovative leadership, operational excellence and people-first approach.

She began her career as a sales director at Southern Refreshment Service, where she developed a deep understanding of the workplace services industry and discovered a passion for creating meaningful, high quality experiences for both clients and teams. That foundation became the catalyst for a bold entrepreneurial vision.

In 2020, amid unprecedented global challenges, Linda co-founded Seventh Wave Refreshments with a clear mission to bring joy to the workplace, and care and excellence into every space served. Under her leadership, the company has redefined service standards in the industry, pioneering a distinctive white-glove, no-contract model that prioritizes quality, trust, convenience and genuine partnership.

In just five years, Seventh Wave Refreshments has experienced rapid growth, now serving hundreds of offices and organizations while expanding across multiple channels, including micro markets, office pantry programs and specialty coffee services. Through Galia Coffee, Linda has further extended her vision by creating premium coffee experiences rooted in craftsmanship, hospitality and connection.

Linda is known for her commitment to innovation and culture-driven leadership. She believes sustainable growth is built through stewardship of people, resources and relationships and continues to lead with a focus on unity, excellence and long-term impact. Her work is shaping the future of workplace hospitality, proving that exceptional service and human-centered leadership can coexist at scale.

Kristin Scott

Kristin Scott is a veteran hospitality and workplace services professional with more than 25 years of experience and a passion for creating breakrooms that truly bring people together. As a leader at Michigan-based All Star Services — a family-owned company proudly operating for over 63 years with strong, values-driven leadership — she works alongside her team to deliver innovative, high impact solutions in coffee service, pantry programs, vending and Bistro To Go micro markets, helping workplaces feel more connected, energized and appreciated. Kristin takes great pride in working for an organization that genuinely cares about its clients.

Known throughout the industry as the “Breakroom Guru,” Kristin champions All Star’s partnership with USConnect, showcasing how rewards programs and digital platforms enhance employee satisfaction and loyalty nationwide. Her work bridges service, technology and relationship management to create customized workplace experiences.

Married for 34 years, Kristin is the proud mother of four talented children and a devoted grandmother of one. Outside of work, she enjoys exercise, cycling spin classes, golf and living her faith, bringing the same energy, discipline and purpose to every part of her life.

Briana Théraube

Before selling catering software, Briana Théraube spent years living the operational realities it’s built to support. Briana began her career in catering operations, developing a foundation in hospitality that continues to shape how she approaches food technology today in her role at 365 Retail Markets. A culinary school graduate with over 14 years in catering, events and food-focused businesses, she brings a practical, operator-informed perspective rooted in real service environments. Briana believes the strongest food systems are built by listening to hospitality professionals and operators who manage the day-to-day realities of service.

A people-first leader, Briana is known for going above and beyond for her clients and building trusted, long-term relationships. While she is deeply concerned with access to food, food insecurity and inequities in food systems, her advocacy today shows up through curiosity, learning and civic engagement. Originally from New Jersey and now based in Denver, she spends her time outside of work gardening, baking, renovating her home and keeping up with her three dogs.

Brittany Tresemer

Brittany Tresemer is the director of marketing and commercial excellence for Franke Coffee Systems Americas. With 15 years in commercial foodservice manufacturing, including eight years at Franke, she has built a reputation as a strategic, people-first leader supporting operators and partners across the broader foodservice landscape, with convenience retail as a key area of impact.

Known for her approachable, servant-leadership style, Brittany is often described as a culture promoter who fosters collaboration, trust and team success. A committed mentor and advocate for developing talent, she takes pride in helping her team succeed and guiding young professionals as they grow in their careers. Her influence extends beyond Franke: she has contributed to multiple industry publications and was honored in Automatic Merchandiser’s 40 Under 40.

Brittany champions women in the industry, supporting Franke’s involvement with Convenience Store Women and the Women in Foodservice Forum. She stays grounded in her purpose to serve people and elevate the businesses she supports.

Allison Ulnick

Allison “Allie” Ulnick is the senior brand marketing manager at 365 Retail Markets, where she plays a key leadership role in shaping brand strategy and go-to-market execution across the company’s smart retail ecosystem.

Operating at the intersection of technology, operator needs and industry evolution, Ulnick drives the strategic positioning of integrated hardware and software solutions serving vending, micro markets, dining, hospitality and higher education. She partners closely with executive leadership, product development, sales and field teams to ensure innovation is not only brought to market but also aligned with long-term operator growth and measurable business impact.

Ulnick has played a pivotal role in elevating 365 Retail Markets’ brand architecture, vertical expansion strategy and experiential trade show presence, helping transform how the industry understands connected retail technology. Her leadership centers on bringing clarity to complexity — translating sophisticated platforms into cohesive market narratives that build trust, accelerate adoption and strengthen industry partnerships.

Known for her strategic foresight and collaborative leadership style, Ulnick is committed to advancing the convenience services industry by positioning technology not as a feature set but as a growth engine for operators navigating a rapidly changing landscape.

Antares Vargas

Antares Vargas is a creative entrepreneur and the founder of Keep That Vending, a luxury vending and micro market company serving residential and commercial properties across Los Angeles. With a background in entertainment as a producer, editor and storyteller, she brings a unique blend of creativity, strategy and people-first thinking into an industry that is often purely operational.

Over the past two years, Antares has built and scaled a successful vending and micro market operation from the ground up. What started as a single machine has grown into a rapidly expanding portfolio of high-end vending machines and curated micro markets designed for modern apartment communities. She has hands-on experience in sourcing equipment, contract negotiations, pricing models, inventory management, product curation, logistics and property relationships in competitive urban markets.

Antares is especially passionate about helping new operators navigate the realities of the business, from avoiding common startup mistakes to building sustainable systems that allow for growth without burnout. She believes vending can be both profitable and intentional, combining convenience with design, community awareness and strong service standards.

As a mentor, Antares offers real-world insight, transparency and encouragement to operators serious about building long-term success. Her goal is to help others enter the industry with confidence, clarity and a mindset rooted in both strategy and care.

Nakia White-Hazel

Nakia White-Hazel is recognized for her work as CEO of Life’s Sweet & Savory Vending, a thriving operation providing breakroom solutions to the Low Country region of South Carolina.

White-Hazel serves as COO, overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring that customers receive stellar service. Starting at the end of 2019, right before the world was hit by the pandemic, Nakia propelled the company to new heights with a clear vision, a strategic growth plan, and 19 years of experience in data analysis as an educator. Her plan has proven successful through the expansion of Life’s Sweet & Savory Vending’s offerings and customer base.

Reanne Zahn

Reanne Zahn has spent six years with Summit Correctional Services, including four as retail field support manager, and brings more than 20 years of food service experience to the correctional retail sector. In just the past year, she has led the design, installation and successful launch of more than 13  micro markets, reshaping how officers and staff access convenient, secure food options. Reanne is deeply involved in every phase, from site preparation and equipment selection to kiosk programming and product curation. When challenges arise, she develops solutions herself, learning new skills to keep projects on schedule and performing above expectations. She trains on-site teams, supports long-term performance and collaborates across IT, procurement and operations to deliver reliable results. Through hands-on leadership, operational precision and consistent execution, Reanne has elevated Summit’s micro market program and set a new standard for innovation and excellence in correctional convenience services.