What if the career you thought you’d never pursue turned out to be exactly where you were meant to lead?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Kendra Shaw, District Director of Operations at Sprouts Farmers Market, to explore the unexpected turns, defining moments, and leadership lessons that shaped her 20+ year career in retail.

Kendra shares her journey from a small town in Indiana to leading over 1,000 employees across a fast-growing region at Sprouts. Along the way, she reflects on nearly two decades with Aldi, hard-earned lessons in corporate versus field leadership, and how she rediscovered her voice by aligning with the right culture.

With clarity and candor, Kendra breaks down what it takes to lead through people, scale a values-driven team, and build a fulfilling career without losing yourself along the way.

What You'll Learn:

• Why being “expendable” is actually a leadership strength
  
  
• The often-overlooked impact of store managers on company performance
  
  
• What it takes to scale from 4 to 52 stores—and keep culture intact
  
  
• How to know when it’s time to move on from a company you love
  
  
• The leadership values that guide hiring and growth at Sprouts
  
  
• Why “doing it for yourself” isn’t selfish—it’s essential
  
  
• Two foundational pieces of advice for anyone advancing their career
  
  
  

This episode offers real-world insight for anyone navigating a career pivot, building a team, or leading through growth in a high-performance environment.

Guest Links:

Connect with Kendra Shaw: kendrashaw@sprouts.com or at linkedin.com/in/kendrashaw/
Explore Sprouts Farmers Market: sprouts.com

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it take to break into digital commerce and lead one of the fastest-moving segments in retail without a traditional background?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Brooke Chambers—Ecommerce Director, Kroger —to unpack her unconventional path into retail, and the lessons that have defined her leadership ever since.

What You’ll Learn:

• What it truly means to lead a digital marketplace for a national retailer
• How to roadmap your career by anchoring to your “why”
• The importance of self-reflection and career stamina
• Practical advice for candidates—especially internal ones—on how to prepare for interviews
• How to build influence across cross-functional teams
• What to look for when hiring beyond the resume
• Why vulnerability and preparation are critical to career growth

Whether you’re navigating a career shift, building a high-performing team, or interviewing for your next move, Brooke’s insights will leave you with practical takeaways and a renewed sense of direction.

Connect with Brooke:

• Connect with Brooke Chambers on LinkedIn
• Explore careers at Kroger: thekrogerco.com/careers

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn Hahn on:

• Instagram: @candidwithcandidates
• LinkedIn: Jenn Hahn
• Website: www.candidwithcandidates.com
  
  
  
  

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it take to lead a high-performing team in the fast-paced world of CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) while staying grounded, authentic, and purpose-driven?

In this powerful episode of Candid with Candidates, host Jenn Hahn sits down with Ashleigh Gage, Senior Director of Portfolio Development at Kellanova (formerly Kellogg Company), to unpack her remarkable 20+ year career journey in the manufacturing and consumer packaged goods space.

From her start in Acosta’s leadership development program to navigating category management at Campbell’s and now leading cross-functional strategy at Kellanova, Ashleigh shares candid advice on leading remote teams with top results, building trust quickly in a new role or organization and staying open to advice and ideas from mentors.

Whether you’re looking to build upon a career you've already started or make a transition, this episode is packed with honest wisdom and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss.

What you'll learn:

• How to WIN in business through long-term trust in an industry where "people always come back together"
• Why turning your camera on is more than just etiquette, it’s leadership in a remote-first world
• How to manage career growth and motherhood with her very own 80/20 rule for her life
• Why your next opportunity may come from someone you impressed a decade ago
• How to show up to an interview without too much of the word "we"
• Why she thinks sweeping the floor early in her career made all the difference

Connect with Ashleigh

• LinkedIn
• Kellanova careers page

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What if your non-traditional background is the very thing that sets you apart?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, host Jenn Hahn sits down with Gabe Disbrow, President & CEO of Leever’s Supermarkets, for an open and energizing conversation about leadership, ownership, and the power of showing up with purpose, especially when the path isn't linear.

From his start in the military to his entry level role at Target, his executive roles with ALDI, and now leading a 100% employee-owned grocery chain, Gabe shares the pivotal moments, missteps, and mindset shifts that shaped his approach to business and life.

Whether you’re eyeing your next big move or learning to lead where you are, this episode is full of gold.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to stand out in interviews and promotional conversations

The leadership shift Gabe had to make after leaving the military

• All about self-reflection and identifying your own gaps
• What it really takes to move from specialist to generalist as a President & CEO
• How Gabe used an MBA to fill a skills gap, and why he doesn't always recommend you do the same
• Practical advice on being present as a parent while holding a big title with big responsibilities

Connect with Gabe:

• Connect with Gabe Disbrow on LinkedIn
• Leever’s Supermarkets

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

In this very first episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Kathy Sweigert, Mid-Atlantic Division Vice President at The Giant Company, for an unfiltered conversation about where she started, navigating career pivots, and building a team in a culture of CARE.

Kathy shares how she went from bagging groceries at 16 to overseeing 100+ stores across multiple banners in her DVP role today.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever wondered how to grow in their career without waiting for permission.

What You'll Learn:

• How to lead with both care and accountability
• The power of curiosity and courage in career transitions (Kathy has worked in both HR and Store Operations)
• The power of Business Resource Groups in her growth

Mentorship done right, from both sides

How to stand out in interviews with real, measurable leadership

The mission that keeps Kathy inspired after decades in the grocery industry

If you're a leader, a mentor, or someone trying to break through to the next level, this conversation is full of real-world insights that will stick with you.

Guest Links:

• Connect with Kathy Sweigert on LinkedIn
• Explore careers at The Giant Company: thegiantcompany.com/careers

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? We would love if you would hit the "follow" button, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

Conversations with top executives - who they are, how they made it, and their candid advice for you.

In this trailer episode, host Jenn Hahn, founder and CEO of J Recruiting Services, introduces Candid with Candidates, a podcast that shares unfiltered conversations with corporate leaders across retail, wholesale, and distribution.

This isn’t the polished version you hear on stage. It’s the honest advice you’d normally only get over coffee, insight into career shifts, leadership growth, and the lessons that shaped them along the way.

Each episode feels like you're receiving direct mentorship from executives who have built real careers inside companies, and are still doing the work.

Whether you’re just starting out, managing a team, or sitting in the corner office, Candid with Candidates gives you a front-row seat to the human side of corporate leadership.

New episodes drop every other Tuesday starting June 3rd.

Follow the show and get ready for a lineup you do not want to miss.

#LeadershipPodcast #CorporateCareers #CareerGrowth #RetailLeadership #CandidWithCandidates

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn