Toth Named NEW Chief

Joan Toth has been named president and CEO of the Network of Executive Women, the consumer products and retail industry’s largest diversity organization.

Meanwhile, the group’s top elected official – Michelle Gloeckler, Walmart Stores senior VP of merchandising execution – has been named Network chair. She had held the title of president before today’s announcement.

“This change brings the Network in compliance with regulations and is consistent with other not-for-profit organizations. The change also aligns us with best practices and better expresses the way we work,” Gloeckler said. “Joan leads our day-to-day operations, while our chair, vice chair and other elected leaders develop strategy for the Network’s future growth and development. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, this change reflects the Network’s growth from a small group of industry players into one of the industry’s major mission-driven organizations.”

President-elect Julie Hamilton, senior VP of global customer and commercial leadership for the Coca-Cola Co., is now the Network’s vice chair. Immediate past president Alison Kenney Paul, vice chairman and U.S. retail leader for Deloitte, has been given the new title of past chair.

Toth was named executive director shortly after the Network’s establishment in 2001 and has presided over a decade of rapid growth. The Network is now a 3,300-member organization with 70 national sponsors and 17 regional groups in the United States and Canada.

Prior to joining the Network, Toth launched Go-To-Market Strategies, a retail industry consulting firm, and led print, event and web business development activities for the retail and food industry publications of Bill Communications. Toth previously served as VP and publisher of Convenience Store News and group publisher of the retail and distribution publications of Macfadden Trade Communications. Toth has served on numerous industry boards and committees, including the Supplier Board of Directors of the National Association of Convenience Stores.

The Chicago-based Network of Executive Women, Consumer Products and Retail Industry has more than 3,300 members from more than 400 companies and 70 corporate sponsors in 17 regions in the U.S. and Canada.