National Grocers Association Concludes Inaugural Leadership Institute

Washington, D.C. – The National Grocers Association (NGA), in conjunction with the National Grocers Association Foundation, successfully concluded its inaugural NGA Leadership Institute on Wednesday at the historic George Washington’s Mount Vernon, delivering an immersive and transformational leadership experience for grocery industry executives from across the country. 

Designed for upper-level management and key decision-makers, the NGA Leadership Institute challenged participants to rethink leadership through the lens of history, strategy, and service. Hosted in partnership with the George Washington Leadership Institute, the program blended executive leadership development with unique on-site and off-site experiences inspired by the enduring legacy of George Washington.

“The NGA Leadership Institute represents a powerful investment in the future of independent grocers and the leaders who drive our industry forward,” said Greg Ferrara, NGA President & CEO. “By combining world-class leadership development with the timeless lessons of George Washington, this program empowers participants to lead with greater clarity and purpose.

Throughout the program, participants engaged in a series of sessions and experiences that brought leadership principles to life. The institute began with a welcome and program overview, followed by sessions on leadership foundations and the enduring relevance of George Washington’s leadership in today’s rapidly changing world. Attendees explored how to apply these principles in modern business environments and participated in discussions on navigating leadership transitions.

The immersive experience extended beyond the classroom. Participants took part in a private guided tour of Mount Vernon, a wreath-laying ceremony at Washington’s tomb, and an exclusive tour and whiskey tasting at George Washington’s distillery. Additional highlights included “The Situation Room: Washington’s Cabinet,” an interactive exploration of decision-making and leadership dynamics, as well as a rare books collection tour offering deeper historical insight.

“The experience was unlike anything I’ve participated in before,” said Ted Balistreri, owner of Sendik’s Food Market. “Being immersed in such a historic setting while focusing on leadership principles gave me a fresh perspective on how to lead my team more effectively and with greater purpose.”

The program concluded with a “Closing: Insights to Action” session, where participants translated lessons learned into actionable strategies to elevate their leadership impact.

The NGA Leadership Institute is open to all NGA members, including associate members, ELDP alumni, and leaders responsible for managing large teams and driving strategic decisions.

For more information about the NGA Leadership Institute and future programs, visit our event page here.

About the NGA Foundation

The National Grocers Association Foundation is committed to building a stronger independent grocery industry through education, leadership development, workforce initiatives, and scholarship programs.

About the National Grocers Association

NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers’ associations, manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.