Wakefern Names Diversity & Inclusion Director

Keasbey, NJ (September 24, 2020) – Wakefern Food Corp., the nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative with member companies that own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace,  Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, and Fairway Market banners, today announced Nazesh Cattelona as its new Director of Diversity & Inclusion.

In this newly created role, Cattelona will report directly to Wakefern’s Chief Human Resources Officer Nicole Gasaway and serve as a member of the Wakefern Human Resources leadership team, working across the cooperative to strengthen its diversity and inclusion practices. She will also be responsible for helping Wakefern attract and retain associates who reflect its ongoing commitment to diversity.

Cattelona previously served as director of Human Resources at Guitar Center, where she developed a team responsible for supporting an inclusive work culture and building engagement strategies that fostered growth. Her responsibilities included creating successful company-wide initiatives impacting culture, talent strategy and organization effectiveness amongst an enterprise of 10,000 associates.

Prior to her work at Guitar Center, Cattelona served in various leadership roles at the Target Corporation for more than 10 years, including as Human Resources Director, Greater Philadelphia and Baltimore area, and as Human Resources Business Partner in the Northern NJ/Greater NY region. During her time at Target, she worked to optimize the engagement and performance of store teams covering more than 10,000 team members.

Cattelona earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations with a minor in Psychology.

“We are delighted to welcome Naz to Wakefern and look forward to working with her as we develop an impactful diversity and inclusion strategy. We’re confident Naz’s leadership will bring about positive, meaningful change and ultimately enrich the experience for our associates, leaders, members, and customers,” said Wakefern Chief Human Resources Officer Nicole Gasaway.

About Wakefern Food Corp.
From a small, local cooperative that began with eight grocery store owners, Wakefern Food Corp. has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. Founded in 1946, the cooperative comprises 50 members who today independently own and operate 359 supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Together with its member companies, Wakefern is one of the largest employers in New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.wakefern.com.