Subject Experts
Akua Woolbright, PhD
Nutrition Program Director
Akua Woolbright is an expert in plant-based nutrition who specializes in teaching people how to use food to lose weight, feel more energetic, look younger, reduce medications, and prevent and reverse disease. Dr. Woolbright began her career with Whole Foods Market in 2009 when she joined the corporate office in Austin, TX where she helped … Continued
Kylie Bentley, RDN, LDN, CLT
Team Leader of Nutrition and Labeling Compliance
At Whole Foods Market, Kylie directs and supports a team of nutrition, certification, and labeling compliance experts for the company’s exclusive brands, including Whole Foods Market and 365 by Whole Foods Market. The Nutrition and Labeling Compliance Team collaborates with product developers and the design team to ensure the Exclusive Brands products are formulated in … Continued
Wesley Rose
Vice President, Meat & Seafood
Wes started his professional seafood journey in 1998 when he joined Whole Foods Market working the Seafood counter in his home state of Massachusetts. Now as the Vice President of Meat & Seafood, Wes leads the Seafood purchasing and merchandising programs ensuring all Whole Foods Market seafood is sourced according to company stands, and that … Continued
Jamie Katz
Senior Advisor, Global Quality Standards
With over 15 years of experience at Whole Foods Market, Jamie Katz, serves as a voice for the company’s Quality Standards, providing the big picture on Whole Foods Market’s 40 plus years of work in the natural and organic food industry. Jamie advises, strategizes, and communicates with multiple stakeholders on the ins and outs of … Continued
Katherine Wallace
Senior Category Merchant, Domestic Wine, Sake & Specialty Wine
Katherine Wallace is a Senior Category Merchant on Whole Foods Market’s Global Wine Buying Team, overseeing our domestic wine and sake assortment in partnership with regional buyers across the country. Katherine began her career at Whole Foods Market as a logistics intern and spent several years as a global buyer on the Produce team before … Continued
Dan Epley
Vice President, Grocery
Dan Epley is the Vice President for the Grocery department, leading the merchant teams for Dairy, Beverage, Frozen, Snacks, Candy, Meals, Baking, Essentials, and Breakfast. The Grocery Team works with current and new suppliers to provide our customers with the best packaged food on the planet. This includes finding suppliers, determining route to market, putting … Continued
Joey Wells
Global Senior Principal Product Development & Innovation Expert
As the Global Senior Principal Product Development & Innovation Expert, Joey Wells seeks out innovative cheesemongers and specialty producers around the world, bringing their products to market and supporting their growth and development within Whole Foods Market stores across the country. In 2012, he became an American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) and was … Continued
Jody Villecco
Principal Quality Standards Advisor, Research
Jody Villecco has been passionate about Whole Foods Market’s industry-leading Quality Standards ever since she started working with the company in 1997. During her time at Whole Foods Market, she has supported standards development for all ingredient categories, including food, dietary supplements, body care, and household cleaning, continually striving to enhance the company’s Quality Standards. … Continued
Cathy Strange
Vice President of Specialty and Global Cheese Expert
Cathy Strange joined Whole Foods Market in 1990 and has a wealth of food industry experience and expertise. As the global cheese expert, she has become an authority at detecting international food trends during her travels around the world while seeking out vendor partners that meet Whole Foods Market’s strict Quality Standards. After selecting new … Continued
Joy Stoddard
Executive Partnership Development and Internal Programs Director, Whole Planet Foundation
Joy joined Whole Foods Market in 2000 and Whole Planet Foundation in 2006. She develops strategic partnerships, fundraises for microcredit, and connects Whole Foods Market shoppers, suppliers and team members to Whole Planet Foundation. Joy has been awarded All*Star five times, Team Member of the Year and numerous leadership recognitions. In her role as Southwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Trainer, Joy trained thousands of team … Continued
Kelly Landrieu
Global Coordinator, Local Brands
As Global Coordinator of Local Brands on Whole Foods Market’s Product Innovation and Development team, Kelly Landrieu works closely with the company’s regional foragers and buyers to ensure strong, win-win partnerships with local producers across all product categories. She creates tools for continued education and mentorship of current and future local suppliers, while supporting her … Continued
Katy Green
Global Produce Field Inspector
Katy Green is a Global Produce Field Inspector for Whole Foods Market, based out of Southern California. She joined Whole Foods Market almost a decade ago as a cut fruit team member at the Mason, Ohio store. Katy has been the Global Produce Field Inspector since 2014, and oversees the quality of the company’s Whole … Continued
Amy Eubanks
Senior Team Leader, Global Culinary Development
Amy Eubanks leads the growth of new ideas and recipes for our Prepared Foods and Bakery departments. Amy is a classically-trained French chef with two decades of experience working in fine dining restaurants in New York City, including Lespinasse, Cello and Café Boulud. During her time in the restaurant world, Amy served as the executive … Continued
Jen Coccaro
Vice President of Wellness and Beauty
Jen leads merchandising for Supplements, Beauty and Lifestyle. She joined Whole Foods Market from the fashion apparel industry working with major brands such as Land’s End, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Chico’s. Her experience in the ever-evolving world of fashion provided her with expertise in identifying consumer behavior and trends. Jen is passionate about healthy living … Continued
Rachel Bukowski
Team Leader of Product Development
Rachel Bukowski oversees a team of product developers and R&D technicians on Whole Foods Market’s Exclusive Brands Team. The product development team works to ensure Whole Foods Market and 365 Everyday Value branded products not only taste delicious, but also are on the cutting edge of culinary, flavor and ingredient trends, all while adhering to … Continued
Carrie Brownstein
Principal Quality Standards Advisor, Seafood
In the big picture, Carrie’s work focuses on creating a model for the seafood industry that supports healthier oceans and communities. Working together with stakeholders and partners—fish farmers, fishermen, environmental groups, scientists and skilled seafood buyers—she aims to create a seafood market that supports responsible aquaculture production, reverses trends in overfishing and bycatch, and puts us … Continued
Doug Bell
Senior Principal of Adult Beverage Innovation and Product Development
In his current role, Doug helps lead purchasing for Whole Foods Market’s wine, beer and spirits categories. Doug and the global team work closely with the company’s adult beverage buyers across the country to ensure strong, win-win partnerships with suppliers across all product categories. Doug, an Atlanta native and University of Georgia grad, has been … Continued
