What does it really take to build a business inside a business?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Julian Semer, Director of In-Store Media at Albertsons, to unpack how a finance background, entrepreneurial drive, and deep curiosity led him to one of the most innovative and fast-evolving areas in retail.

Julian shares how he went from building KPI models in finance to launching an in-store media business within a Fortune 100 company. He offers clear, strategic insights into what it takes to build from the ground up, communicate complexity across stakeholders, and lead with clarity in a high-pressure environment.

What You'll Learn:

• How Julian translated a finance career into a retail media leadership role
• How anyone can design KPIs that connect strategy to execution
• Why understanding your stakeholders' goals is essential to gaining buy-in
• How to stay grounded and lead through rapid growth and change
• Why curiosity and action—not credentials—often open the right doors
• What hiring managers might miss when they rely too heavily on resumes
• How designing for what good looks like has set Julian up to build incredible systems and teams

Whether you’re building a team, launching something new, or navigating a career pivot, this episode offers real-world insight you can use right away.

Guest Links:

Connect with Julian Semer on LinkedIn

Explore Albertsons Companies: albertsonscompanies.com/

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What if the career you thought you’d never pursue turned out to be exactly where you were meant to lead?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Kendra Shaw, District Director of Operations at Sprouts Farmers Market, to explore the unexpected turns, defining moments, and leadership lessons that shaped her 20+ year career in retail.

Kendra shares her journey from a small town in Indiana to leading over 1,000 employees across a fast-growing region at Sprouts. Along the way, she reflects on nearly two decades with Aldi, hard-earned lessons in corporate versus field leadership, and how she rediscovered her voice by aligning with the right culture.

With clarity and candor, Kendra breaks down what it takes to lead through people, scale a values-driven team, and build a fulfilling career without losing yourself along the way.

What You'll Learn:

• Why being “expendable” is actually a leadership strength
  
  
• The often-overlooked impact of store managers on company performance
  
  
• What it takes to scale from 4 to 52 stores—and keep culture intact
  
  
• How to know when it’s time to move on from a company you love
  
  
• The leadership values that guide hiring and growth at Sprouts
  
  
• Why “doing it for yourself” isn’t selfish—it’s essential
  
  
• Two foundational pieces of advice for anyone advancing their career
  
  
  

This episode offers real-world insight for anyone navigating a career pivot, building a team, or leading through growth in a high-performance environment.

Guest Links:

Connect with Kendra Shaw: kendrashaw@sprouts.com or at linkedin.com/in/kendrashaw/
Explore Sprouts Farmers Market: sprouts.com

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it take to break into digital commerce and lead one of the fastest-moving segments in retail without a traditional background?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Brooke Chambers—Ecommerce Director, Kroger —to unpack her unconventional path into retail, and the lessons that have defined her leadership ever since.

What You’ll Learn:

• What it truly means to lead a digital marketplace for a national retailer
• How to roadmap your career by anchoring to your “why”
• The importance of self-reflection and career stamina
• Practical advice for candidates—especially internal ones—on how to prepare for interviews
• How to build influence across cross-functional teams
• What to look for when hiring beyond the resume
• Why vulnerability and preparation are critical to career growth

Whether you’re navigating a career shift, building a high-performing team, or interviewing for your next move, Brooke’s insights will leave you with practical takeaways and a renewed sense of direction.

Connect with Brooke:

• Connect with Brooke Chambers on LinkedIn
• Explore careers at Kroger: thekrogerco.com/careers

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn Hahn on:

• Instagram: @candidwithcandidates
• LinkedIn: Jenn Hahn
• Website: www.candidwithcandidates.com
  
  
  
  

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn