DSN Women Leaders 2014: Joanne Leonardi, Ahold

“It’s not just the goal that’s important, it’s how you get there.” That’s the compass that guides Ahold’s Joanne Leonardi, who identifies the direction for the grocer’s health-and-wellness offerings. “[It’s] the people that you influence along the way, and understanding some of the footprints that you leave behind,” she said. It was Leonardi’s father who instilled in her “the responsibility to be a leader wherever you are, from wherever you sit,” she said. 

Leonardi got her start in the restaurant industry in the late 1970s. “It was a different time for female leaders. There wasn’t a lot of them. There wasn’t a lot to mentor. And there wasn’t a lot to teach and train, so you kind of found your way on your own,” she said. "Women coming up through the ranks then had to be more assertive to succeed."   

 Leonardi now has almost 30 years of health and beauty retail experience between Rite Aid and Ahold. She currently is responsible for all aspects of the health and beauty department for Ahold. “We just went through a merchandising restructure here, so my role has literally, within the last two weeks, changed,” Leonardi said. “My chief area of responsibility is to drive health-and-wellness and health care across all of the different banners that we serve. What keeps me excited is change and the opportunities for growth ... to change the dynamics of what your local grocery store can provide for you in the areas of health and wellness.”

In addition, Leonardi serves on the board of directors for the Global Market Development Center.

To view the full DSN Women Leaders 2014 report, click here.