The Women in Snacks Summit is part of SNAC’s broader WinS initiative, which establishes a network to champion leadership development and advancement for female professionals in the snack industry. Research indicates that companies that inherit a culture with gender diversity on executive teams were 21% more likely to outperform on profitability and likely to have higher financial performance. The WinS initiative embraces these indicators and encourages snack industry allies, men and women, to develop pools of top talent and programs for the highest positions regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or cultural background.
Additionally, WinS reinforces businesses to provide more role models, sponsors, and transitional support as candidates enter the top levels at their companies. The Summit provides resources for men and women professionals to overcome obstacles to advance in the snack industry through interactive workshops, education sessions, networking, and more.
Join Women in Snacks and Industry Champions at the 3rd Annual WinS Summit
The Women in Snacks (WinS) Summit returns in 2026, bringing together industry professionals for a powerful experience designed to advance careers and elevate female leadership in snacking. Held in Washington, D.C., following the Legislative Summit, this dynamic event will feature an energizing networking evening and a full day of bold, insightful sessions focused on leadership, wellness, self-advocacy, and rewriting the rules for success. Join us as we continue building a stronger pipeline of women leaders shaping the future of the snack industry.
Sessions will be held at:
Hogan Lovells
555 13th Street
Washington, DC 20004
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026
- 6:30 PM – WinS Leadership Reception
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026
8:30 – 9:00 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks
- 9:00 – 10:30 AM – Leadership & Influence Workshop presented by Ashley Merryman, Two-time New York Times bestselling author and renowned leadership expert
- 10:30 – 10:45 AM – Networking Break
- 10:45 – 11:45 AM – Panel Discussion: Influence & Credibility in Washington and Business
- Moderator: Kelly Knowles, Executive Vice President, SNAC International
- Panelists: Megan Garcia, Conagra Brands; Sarah Towles, PepsiCo; and Joanna Turner, The Hershey Company
- 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM – Lunch
- 1:00 – 1:45 PM – Leading Through Change presented by Trina Bediako, Chief Executive Officer, New Horizons Baking Co.
- 1:45 – 2:30 PM – Executive Presence in High-Stakes Moments presented by Jackie Robles, President, Anita’s Mexican Foods
2:30 – 2:45 PM – Networking Break
- 2:45 – 3:30 PM – Panel Discussion: Turning Insights in Action with SNAC International’s Cindy Kuester, CEO and President; Kelly Knowles, Executive Vice President; and Abby Valentino, Director of Industry Affairs
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC
700 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Group Rate: $349/night*
*The booking link may temporarily display a guest amenity fee to satisfy legal and compliance requirements. This fee is automatically removed at checkout and will not be charged; it functions solely as a system placeholder.
NOTE: Registration and Hotel Deadline is Friday, May 15, 2026
Start by completing your registration, then select your SNAC member or non-member payment option below. You’ll be directed to a secure payment portal to finalize your registration.
Member Rate: $795
Non-member Rate: $1,595"*" indicates required fields
FEATURED SESSIONS
Ashley Merryman
Two-time New York Times Bestselling Author and Renowned Leadership Expert
LEADERSHIP & INFLUENCE
What makes a leader truly influential? In this session, two-time New York Times bestselling author and leadership consultant Ashley Merryman explores how leaders inspire action, build support, and drive innovation. Backed by science and insights from U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Leaders,” she shares practical strategies to strengthen influence and overcome common barriers.
View Full Session
Session Description
What is leadership? At its core, it’s about the ability to influence others—convince them to work on a common goal. But how do the best leaders acquire that influence? And how should leaders use it in the most effective ways? Two-time New York Times bestselling author and leadership consultant Ashley Merryman answers those questions and more during this inspiring talk about influence and motivation. Drawing upon the best ideas science has to offer—and insights gained as the lead author for U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Leaders”—Merryman will help individuals understand how to inspire others into action, lead innovation initiatives, build support, and even defeat the naysayers. Merryman will also help her audience understand obstacles to becoming influential, such as overcoming how gender and age differences may affect influence. And throughout this talk, Merryman will provide science-based, actionable strategies to help audience members increase their influence in matters small and large.
About Ashley Merryman
About the Speaker
Two-time New York Times bestselling author and leadership expert Ashley Merryman helps leaders understand what motivates people, builds influence, and drives performance. An attorney, journalist, and founder of The Sherwood Group, Merryman has advised Fortune 100 executives, coached military leaders on institutional change, and worked with Olympians and professional athletes on performing under pressure. She also previously served as Special Advisor for the Department of the Navy at the Pentagon.
Drawing on behavioral science and real-world leadership experience, Merryman delivers engaging, evidence-based presentations that equip audiences with practical strategies to build credibility, inspire action, and influence outcomes within their organizations. Link to full bio: https://www.leadingauthorities.com/speakers/ashley-merryman#bio
Trina Bediako
Chief Executive Officer, New Horizons Baking Co.
LEADING THROUGH CHANGE
Trina Bediako, CEO, New Horizons Baking, shares perspectives on navigating change, leading organizations through evolving market dynamics, and building credibility as a leader.
About Trina Bediako
About the Speaker
New Horizons Baking Company specializes in food manufacturing with a primary focus on bakery products, including soft rolls such as hamburger buns and English muffins. The company has expanded its portfolio by acquiring two businesses that produce nutritional solutions in dry and liquid forms, including custom blended seasonings, vitamixs, soups, and sauces, which enhance food flavor. Their clientele includes well-known brand clients in quick service restaurants, food service companies, sandwich makers, and retail businesses. The company has been family-owned by the Brown/Bediako family for 30 years. Trina Bediako became CEO in 2020 and represents the second generation of ownership, working alongside her father, Tilmon “Tim” Brown, the Chairman, and two of her adult children who are third-generation leaders.
In 2025, the company expanded by opening two new facilities in Columbus, Ohio: the Charter Street bakery, which features a high-speed bun line capable of producing 8,000 dozen hamburger buns per hour, and a frozen pancake line for breakfast sandwich products. The Citygate facility houses New Horizons Food Solutions, the custom ingredient business.
Trina Bediako has a 24-year history with New Horizons Baking Company, having served in multiple roles such as Director of Human Resources, Vice President of Sales, and President/COO before becoming CEO. Under her leadership, the company has achieved record-breaking growth and earnings. She leads a diverse team aligned with the company’s mission to be the preferred choice for employees, customers, and stakeholders. The strategic plan under her guidance includes financial stewardship, risk management, controlled growth, succession planning, and talent development.
Her educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Marketing with a minor in Spanish from the University of Connecticut. She has also received specialized manufacturing and business training from the American Institute of Baking (AIB), Kellogg School of Management, and Wharton School of Business. Beyond her corporate role, Trina serves on various boards such as the American Baker’s Association, McDonald’s U.S. Supplier Advisory Council, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Huntington Bank of Cleveland, YWCA of Cleveland, and the Anderson DuBose Company. She has been honored with several awards including the Ernst and Young 2021 Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Regional and National), the 2025 Smart Women Award, J.P. Morgan Chase top 50 Fastest Growing Women Led Businesses, and the 2025 Women of Achievement Award.
Trina has been married for 37 years to her husband Gabriel, who also works in the family business. They have three adult children and a nine-year-old grandson, who symbolize the family’s future aspirations.
Jackie Robles
President, Anita’s Mexican Foods
EXECUTIVE PRESENCE IN HIGH-STAKES MOMENTS
Jackie Robles, President, Anita’s, shares what it takes to build and scale influence in today’s operating environment. Highlighting how to translate experience into decision making, alignment of teams around priorities, and creating the conditions for both business performance and talent development.
About Jackie Robles
About the Speaker
Jackie Robles is the President of Anita’s Mexican Foods and its sister company, La Reina, a multi-generational, family-owned snack manufacturing business based in California. She represents the next generation of leadership within the Robles family, building on a legacy that began in 1958 with the founding of La Reina. Under her leadership, the company has continued to grow as a recognized manufacturer of tortilla chips, pellet snacks, and taco shells, serving customers across the United States and internationally. In her role as President, Jackie leads across a complex operating environment, balancing long-term strategy, operational execution, and the dynamics of a family-owned business. She is known for her ability to align teams, make clear decisions, and drive performance while maintaining a strong cultural foundation. Beyond business performance, Jackie is committed to developing talent and creating pathways for others to grow. Her leadership emphasizes accountability, trust, and the importance of supporting individuals as they step into larger roles. Her perspective on influence reflects both the realities of leading a growing organization and the responsibility of building the next generation of leaders.
Megan Garcia
Conagra Brands
Sarah Towles
PepsiCo
Joanna Turner
The Hershey Company
Kelly Knowles
Moderator
Executive Vice President, SNAC International
INFLUENCE & CREDIBILITY IN WASHINGTON AND BUSINESS
Joanna Turner (Hershey), Sarah Towles (Pepsico), and Megan Garcia (Conagra) discuss how credibility and relationships shape influence on Capitol Hill and how those same principles apply when influencing decisions inside organizations.
Cindy Kuester
President & CEO, SNAC International
Abby Valentino
Director of Industry Affairs, SNAC International
Kelly Knowles
Executive Vice President, SNAC International
TURNING INSIGHTS INTO ACTION
Facilitated reflection where participants identify key leadership insights from the day and consider how to apply these lessons to strengthen their influence, credibility, and leadership impact moving forward.
