Tara Ponnett, Vice President of Sourcing, has been honored with the Griffin Report of the Northeast Women of Influence Award. Tara, who has worked for Ahold Delhaize organizations for seventeen years, is one of 79 honorees who are recognized for their professionalism and leadership in the food industry.  

Read Tara’s interview with the Griffin Report: 

TARA PONNETT  

Vice President, Sourcing  

PEAPOD DIGITAL LABS  

Immediate supervisor: Dave Bass  

Years with the company: 17  

Describe your job and why you love it: I am accountable for shaping the sourcing strategies, including development of the function, leveraging scale and ensuring supply to help deliver a seamless omnichannel experience. I love the fast-paced nature, the relationships and the value we bring to an ever-evolving business.  

Describe a defining moment in your career: Defining moments in my career have come at personal and professional crossroads. My father passed away from cancer about mid-way through my career to date. He taught me a lot about my personal strength. My style continued to evolve after the birth of my children, as I worked to blend my professional and personal lives.  

What do you find most rewarding about your current position? Developing talent and future leaders is the most rewarding part. I intentionally bring team members together who have different styles and experiences to stimulate diversity of thought.  

What is the most challenging part of your job? Sourcing partners that can further the strategic goals of each of the Ahold Delhaize USA companies, engaging many stakeholders forward, which brings responsibility and complexity in the number of projects and competing priorities.  

Has social media helped or hindered your job? Social media is a great resource for keeping up with what is going on in the industry and to help inspire new ideas. I have team members who use it to regularly tell our story, recruit talent and get a pulse on initiatives from the perspective of the customer. 

How do you spend your free time? With my husband and four children.  

Do you have any advice for up-and-coming professionals? Understand your personal purpose and find something you are passionate about.  

Education: Bachelor’s degree from Penn State University and MBA from St. Francis University 

To view the entire report and all of the Women of Influence awardees, click here.