How did you get to your current role?

I began my career at SpartanNash as a Strategic Projects Intern. This was my first real experience working in a corporate setting, so everything was new to me—from using Outlook and understanding what a shared PowerPoint was, to learning how to send a meeting invite and practicing professional email etiquette.

I continued working part-time during the school year while pursuing a double major in Finance and Business Economics at Grand Valley State University. After graduating, I transitioned into a full-time role as a Strategy & Business Development Analyst. In this position, a typical week involved managing business intelligence projects, conducting strategic fit analyses for mergers and acquisitions, supporting remodel initiatives, and enabling growth via SpartanNash's long-term strategy.

One of the most valuable aspects of my time on the Strategy team was the opportunity to interact with nearly every department across the organization. I often describe my experience as gaining exposure a mile wide across all departments, but only an inch deep into each function. This breadth of experience was incredibly formative—it helped me discover not just what I was passionate about, but also where my strengths truly lie. I really enjoyed the retail side of the business, and I realized I had a talent for translating data into compelling narratives. These insights eventually inspired me to pursue a new role in Marketing, and after two years in Strategy, I transitioned to a position as a Loyalty & Marketing Insights Advisor. From there, I was promoted to the role of Insights & Analytics Lead.

Why did you decide to take on a new challenge after your first role?

After gaining exposure to the different functions during my time with Strategy, I knew I wanted to take the next step by focusing and honing in on a specific skillset. The Loyalty & Marketing Insights Advisor role appealed to me for this exact reason. In the new role I would be analyzing and monitoring consumer behavior more closely, with the goal of increasing shopper spend and market share.

How did you feel about the change?

It felt so great to be supported by my peers in my decision to transition roles, which made the change even more exciting!

What did you learn in the transition(s) between roles?

There is so much to learn, especially at SpartanNash with how dynamic our business is. It’s important to me to actively position myself where I am continuously learning and where my talents are best fit for the organization to grow.

What advice would you share with anyone looking to take the next step in their career at SpartanNash?

Being earlier in career, I think change can be extremely uncomfortable. But it’s often those who embrace discomfort and view change as a chance to grow who ultimately make the greatest impact.