Lisa Milla is considered a trailblazer in grocery management, and today, she helps uncover opportunities for future leaders at the store that she oversees in Northwest Indiana.

Lisa’s pathway to leadership began when she was nominated for a management training program created in response to a landmark gender discrimination settlement at her former company. Lisa excelled in that intense program, and it instilled in her the belief that a culture where everyone can thrive is crucial for shared excellence.

The resilience that propelled her through her early training has served Lisa well during her time at Strack & Van Til, now owned by Hy-Vee. She consistently guides her store to positive sales growth, even through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary suspension of SNAP benefits.

As busy as she is, Lisa staunchly adheres to an open-door policy for her 150 associates. She listens carefully to team members and communicates the company’s goals and how they impact store performance.

Ultimately, Lisa inspires her team to abide by exceptional service and operational excellence. By putting shoppers front and center, the store maintains a 90% customer service rating while also delivering strong financial results.

Lisa remains solidly on the path to stellar performance, whether she’s personally delivering groceries to a customer to rebuild trust or handing out flowers on International Women’s Day. As a testament to her impact, Lisa’s former colleagues recount how she has become a friend, and they consider her the best manager of their careers.