As the EVP of Growth and Development, Christina draws upon her experience and passion for innovation to oversee the company’s real estate, construction, store design and several strategic growth initiatives. As part of her role, Christina leads all global real estate for Amazon, including Whole Foods Market.
Her connection to food began as a child at Minardi’s Bakery of Paterson, New Jersey; the family-owned bakery where she experienced firsthand the hard work that goes into running a successful business and the power of food to bring families and communities together. Minardi relies on those lessons today to build a positive work environment, evoking team member passion and success at Whole Foods Market.
Her career with the company started in Millburn, NJ in 1995 in store leadership at Fresh Fields prior to the Whole Foods Market acquisition. In 2002 Minardi was named Vice President for the Northeast region before becoming the Regional President in 2005. Under her 12 years of leadership, stores across the Northeast region consistently led the company in average weekly sales and sales volume per square foot. In addition to opening 31 stores during her tenure, Christina also built an exceptional leadership team of which half the positions are held by women and/or Team Members with diverse backgrounds. Minardi joined the Whole Foods Market Executive Team as the Executive Vice President of Operations in 2018 and successfully led Amazon integration, supported real estate strategy, drove culinary innovation, re-imagined the customer experience and grew e-commerce initiatives for Whole Foods Market.
Among the recognition she has received for her industry contributions; Minardi was named one of Progressive Grocer’s “Top Women in Grocery” in 2024 and 2021; Minardi was named one of Food & Wine and Fortune’s “Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink” in 2016; one of New York Business Journal’s “Women of Influence” in 2015; and one of NJBiz’s “Top 50 Women in New Jersey Business” in 2010. A passionate supporter of several mission-based community programs, Minardi was also honored at Hot Bread Kitchen’s 10th Anniversary for her outstanding contribution in 2019, a New Jersey Food Council’s Night of Distinction Honoree in 2015 and the annual honoree of the Bowery Mission in 2012.
A proud New Jersey native, Minardi lives in Wayne with her wife, Annette, and daughter, Jordan. A passionate cook with an insatiable appetite for culinary discovery, she loves exploring the latest restaurants, discovering new food trends and ingredients during her travels and sharing her own skills in the kitchen with friends and family.
