WGA Names Recipients for Mary Macey Scholarship

The Women Grocers of America (WGA) has named the recipients of its 2015 Mary Macy scholarships.

Lauren Eccleston, a senior at St. Joseph’s University, is pursuing a degree in Food Marketing with a Communications minor. She serves as president of the school’s Food Marketing Association and has interned with Clemens Food Group and The Kellogg Co.

Lakin Kessler, a sophomore at Bismarck State College, will major in Business Management and Nutrition. She plans on being the third generation of her family to work in the grocery business.

Vanessa Marrero is pursuing an MBA from Keller Graduate School. She currently is a financial analyst for Wakefern Food Corp., and has worked for the company for six years.

April Rice has more than 29 years of retail experience and 12 years with Associated Food Stores where she currently serves as director of retail sales.

This year’s winners were selected from a pool of more than 40 candidates. “While there were a number of highly qualified candidates, the selected recipients stood out for their commitment and hard work in pursing a career in the independent supermarket industry. On behalf of all WGA members, congratulations to the four outstanding recipients and we offer best wishes for a productive and successful academic year,” said Kathy Sweidel-Caton, president of WGA.

WGA awards the Mary Macey scholarships as part of its mission to ensure long-term prosperity of the grocery industry by recruiting and retaining the next generation of successful women. The scholarships are named after the first president of the WGA.