Root Inc., a change consulting company, today announced that
Gretchen Sussman has joined as Managing Director of Root’s Food and Hospitality practice. Sussman brings two decades of experience in the food industry, including foodservice channel management, strategy development and execution, P+L management, and cross-functional collaboration.
Based out of Root’s Chicago office, Sussman will focus on growing the company’s Food and Hospitality practice by helping organizations understand how Root’s innovative and disruptive capabilities enable them to see positive and sustained change.
Most recently, Sussman was Vice President of Foodservice North America at CSM Bakery Solutions, where she led the transformation of the North American Foodservice business, including strategy development, organizational design, and revenue optimization. Before working at CSM Bakery Solutions, Sussman was Vice President of Development and Industry Relations at the Women’s Foodservice Forum, where she led the revitalization of the organization’s revenue, membership, and volunteer model. She has also held leadership roles at Primo Water Corporation, Sara Lee Corporation, Instill Corporation, AmeriServe, and Martin-Brower/ProSource.
“At Root, we are mindful to fill our halls with strategic leaders and innovative thinkers who are ready to deliver the best to our clients,” said Rich Berens, president of Root Inc. “Gretchen is an excellent addition to the team and we know her food industry savvy, honed insights, and rich experience benefit both our current and future clients.”
Sussman has also served on the Board of Directors at International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA), Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF), Snappy Salads, and SpenDifference advisory board.
She received her Executive Leadership Certificate from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
About Root Inc.
The world’s most respected organizations partner with Root Inc. to realize positive change. We activate, motivate, and inspire people to accelerate the speed of change through a combination of disruptive methods, storytelling, and interactive experiences. Root’s process of defining the future, building an organizational movement and creating lasting change is backed by proven research and evolved over 25 years. A bold culture and international reputation for results has attracted two out of every three of the Fortune 50 to work with Root. Change starts at
rootinc.com. 
