What does it take to build a brand that inspires lasting loyalty while navigating decades of growth and rapid change? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Chris Gheysens, CEO and Chairman of Wawa Inc., to explore the leadership mindset, ownership structure, and long‑term strategy behind one of the nation’s most recognizable retail brands.

Chris shares how servant leadership, employee ownership through Wawa’s ESOP, and a disciplined focus on customer experience fuel the company’s performance. He also discusses Wawa’s pragmatic approach to technology and AI, the realities of national expansion, and why protecting human connection remains central to the brand’s competitive edge.

Chris discusses:

• His 33‑year Wawa journey—from Deloitte accountant to longtime CEO and Chairman
• How Wawa’s ESOP makes over half of its 51,000 associates true employee‑owners
• The impact of servant leadership and a people‑first culture on loyalty and retention
• Wawa’s pragmatic approach to AI and its national expansion toward 1,700 stores

Connect with Bryn Mawr Trust:

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• Website: Bryn Mawr Trust

Connect with Kate Duffy:

• LinkedIn: Kate Duffy

Connect with Jamie Hopkins:

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Connect with Chris Gheysens:

• LinkedIn: Chris Gheysens
• Website: Wawa

About our Guest:

Chris Gheysens is the CEO and Chairman of Wawa, one of the country’s most recognized and beloved convenience retail brands. With over 33 years at the com

pany, Chris began his career at Deloitte, where Wawa became one of his clients, before joining the organization in 1997. He has held roles across accounting, operations, IT, and human resources, and served as CFO before stepping into the CEO role 14 years ago. Under his leadership, Wawa has grown to more than 1,200 stores and 51,000 associates across 14 states, with plans to reach nearly 1,700 locations by the end of the decade. Chris is a strong advocate for servant leadership and employee ownership, overseeing one of the largest Employee Stock Ownership Plans in the country, where associates share the same stock rights as the founding family. A Villanova University graduate, Chris is deeply committed to building a culture that is both highly caring and results-driven, and believes that putting people first, both employees and customers, is the foundation of long-term business strength.