Kelly Sayko’s passion for food retail is contagious, and we are thrilled to see the industry taking notice.

As Marketing Manager for Hillphoenix, she brings deep industry expertise and an unwavering commitment to making an impact for our customers. That’s why she has been recognized as a 2026 Champion of Change by IDDBA and Supermarket News.

Read some of Kelly’s story in her own words below, where she shares insights into her success.

What Makes a Champion of Change in Food Retail?

Champions of Change is an award that celebrates emerging and established leaders in the retail bakery, deli, foodservice and dairy sectors. With a long history of excellence in the industry, Kelly truly fits the bill as a leader, mentor and expert.

“My journey in the food industry has been far more than just a career; it’s a lifelong dedication and unwavering passion to enhance how we experience food,” Kelly shares.

“I am incredibly fortunate to contribute to an industry that I believe is fundamental to well-being and to have the privilege to participate, innovate and provide insights that aim to uplift both the consumer experience and store operational efficiency. From streamlining back-of-house processes to elevating the quality of ‘better for you’ product offerings, I’m committed to fostering a more beneficial interaction on both sides of the counter and with food.”

A Commitment to Innovation in Refrigeration and Merchandising

One way Kelly has made an impact is through innovations that simplify merchandising for food retailers and elevate the shopper experience.

“A particularly rewarding aspect of my recent work involved collaborating with the brilliant engineer Steve Stubblefield. Together, we co-invented a patented solution designed to help food merchandisers. This innovation introduces intuitive back panels with integrated numbering and guiding lines, streamlining the process of setting plan-o-grams. This not only reduces labor costs but also enhances display consistency and ultimately frees up valuable time to better support shoppers and merchandising,” Kelly says regarding our patented Merchandising Back Panels for Hillphoenix cases.

Gathering Deeper Insights to Benefit the Food Retail Community

One way that Kelly has found success is through continuous learning. The food retail industry changes rapidly, so she stays up to date through industry partnerships and collaboration on market research.

“A significant portion of my time has been dedicated to bridging the gap between shopper desires and retail offerings,” Kelly explains.

“By partnering and participating with fresh and frozen food boards, as well as leading analytical firms, I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about consumer behavior, preferences and emerging trends. This foundational understanding has been instrumental in crafting strategic merchandising initiatives for our grocer partners.

“It has helped me create thoughtful merchandising and inspiring, disruptive shopper displays that present cohesive, full-meal solutions across all temperature zones and throughout the store. This innovative approach seamlessly integrates fresh and frozen ingredients, transforming conventional aisles into dynamic ‘food destination areas’ that not only make shopping easier and more engaging but also spark culinary creativity for every shopper.”

How Does it Feel to Be Honored as a 2026 Champions of Change?

“Receiving this recognition from my amazingly talented and passionate colleagues and the food community that I am surrounded by fills me with gratitude and humility. It is truly a blessing to have the opportunity to work, participate and be acknowledged by a group of professionals whose talent, dedication and passion consistently inspire me,” says Kelly.

Kelly joins fellow industry trailblazers as a 2026 Champion of Change. She is recognized in the Emerging Champions category for inspirational food industry professionals who are making a meaningful impact in stores, companies and communities through leadership, results-driven achievement and peer mentoring.

Hillphoenix is proud to have leaders like Kelly on our team, and we are thrilled that her efforts are being rewarded with this prestigious award.