Culinary experts, buyers, foragers, food lovers — our Trends Council represents some of the sharpest minds in food, beverage and beyond. This talented team travels, scours the web and ceaselessly samples to find what’s new in food, beauty and wellness, whether it’s electric new flavors or innovative products. Read on to learn what makes them tick.
Carol Medeiros: Vice President of Quality Standards
Carol is a lifetime advocate of natural and organic foods and products, with nearly three decades of experience working with suppliers. At Whole Foods Market, she works tirelessly to reach win-win solutions with producers, certification organizations and teams across various departments, all while shepherding our Quality Standards, core values and mission.
Rachel Bukowski: Senior Team Leader of Product Development
Rachel leads a team of product developers and research and development technicians on our Exclusive Brands Team, ensuring that Whole Foods Market and 365 by Whole Foods Market products not only taste delicious, but also push the cutting edge of culinary trends and adhere to rigorous Quality Standards. Rachel has cultivated her passion for culinary trends and wellness throughout a decade in the personal and home care consumer packaged goods manufacturing industry.
Lauren Glanzer: Principal Local Forager, Southwest Region
Lauren has spent 15 years in the natural food industry, 10 of which have been with Whole Foods Market. As the Lead Local Forager in our Southwest Region, she works with suppliers to develop and market innovative products that are reflective of their communities. She is passionate about advancing conscious food systems through the rediscovery of North America’s indigenous foods.
Wes Rose: Vice President of Meat, Poultry & Seafood
In 1998, Wes joined Whole Foods Market at the Seafood counter in his home state of Massachusetts. Now, Wes leads Meat and Seafood purchasing and merchandising, ensuring that high-quality products are available for customers. Whole Foods Market’s purpose to nourish people and the planet drives Wes to improve the sustainability and animal welfare of our meat and seafood offerings.
Ana Maria Huertas: Principal Global Category Merchant, Baking
Ana brings over a decade of category management experience in natural and organic foods and products, and more specifically, the Grocery and Health and Beauty Aid (HABA) categories. In 2015, she joined the Canada Regional Purchasing and Merchandising Presentation Team for Whole Foods Market. This year, Ana moved to Austin to join the Global Merchant Team and manage strategy for Baking, Seasonings, Sweeteners and SS Fruits.
Susannah Frishman-Phillips: Senior Advisor, Quality Standards
Susannah has more than 25 years of experience at Whole Foods Market, spanning store-level work to contributions in Global Marketing. In her current role, Susannah creates and advises on Quality Standards ingredients and sourcing content, as well as the company’s sustainability programs. She is a world traveler who loves to cook, especially from her own garden, and an eight-year member of Les Dames d’Escoffier.
Brooke Gil: Global Category Merchant, Meals
Brooke joined Whole Foods Market as part of our Southwest Regional Team before becoming a Global Category Merchant. Now, she oversees the “Fancy Meals Categories,” bringing innovation and decadence to our shelves from Europe and beyond in the form of pastas, pasta sauces, oils, vinegars and more.
Adam Pickard: Principal Category Merchant, Non-Perishable
Adam began his journey with Whole Foods Market as a store team member in 2001 and now serves as the Salty Snacks Category Merchant. During Adam’s 20-year tenure, he's been part of the exciting evolution that sets Whole Foods Market apart as the global trendsetter in organic and specialty foods. Currently, Adam works with suppliers in the Salty Snacks category to develop innovative items that are both on-trend and mission-driven.
Nicole Matuska: Senior Global Category Merchant, Non-Perishable
Nicole joined Whole Foods Market in 2019, bringing comprehensive knowledge in category strategy, supplier relations and business analytics to the team. As a Senior Global Category Merchant, she strives to partner with high-performing and purpose-driven brands that are on the forefront of innovation.
Jennifer Mandanici: Global Category Merchant, Pet Food
Jennifer has been with Whole Foods Market since 2001. Starting as a team member at our Gateway store in Austin, she’s been a dynamic contributor in roles like Grocery Team Leader and Associate Coordinator for the Southwest Region. Most recently, she became the Global Category Merchant for Pet Food. While dogs may be a person’s best friend, Jennifer is certainly theirs, too!
