Leadership Team Upshop Elevates Leadership Team to Propel Strategic Growth
Upshop, a leading provider of retail technology solutions, has announced two significant leadership promotions as part of its ongoing strategy to enhance market expansion and drive business growth. Leadership TeamThe company has promoted Lauren Kennedy to Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts and appointed Mike Weber to the newly established role of Chief Growth Officer. Leadership TeamThese executive advancements reflect Upshop’s dedication to strengthening its leadership team and reinforcing its position in the retail technology sector.
The announcement coincides with Upshop’s flagship industry event, Altitude, currently taking place in Austin, Texas. Altitude is a premier three-day conference that gathers Upshop’s North American customer community to discuss innovations, market trends, and strategies for growth. The event features thought leadership sessions from executives representing some of the most influential food retailers, including Wegmans, NGI, Festival Foods, The Fresh Market, Giant Eagle, Lowes Foods, Coborn’s, Sobeys, and Weis Markets. Additionally, Upshop is collaborating with key technology partners such as Inmar Intelligence, Vusion Group, STCR, and ResposiTrak to provide insights into the evolving retail landscape and the role of cutting-edge technology in shaping the industry’s future.
Lauren Kennedy: Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts
Lauren Kennedy’s promotion to Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts marks a new chapter in her impactful career within the retail technology space. She has built a reputation for her ability to develop and execute high-impact growth strategies that support North American food retailers. Leadership Team In her elevated role, Kennedy will lead a team of Account Managers across the United States and Canada, focusing on delivering transformative solutions that foster long-term success for Upshop’s clients.
Kennedy’s previous tenure as Vice President of Customer Success and Training positioned her as a key player in Upshop’s client engagement strategy. She spearheaded the formation of a specialized team of customer success managers dedicated to serving the company’s most valued clients. Leadership Team Under her leadership, the team not only enhanced customer retention but also drove significant value for clients through tailored solutions, proactive account management, and strategic mentorship.
Her achievements have been widely recognized, including being named a 2024 recipient of the TWIG (Top Women in Grocery) award. Kennedy’s retail career began in operations at Target, where she developed a deep understanding of retail dynamics. She later transitioned into technology innovation roles at Itasca, where she contributed to the advancement of retail solutions before moving into customer success leadership at Upshop following its acquisitions of Itasca and Invafresh.
Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Kennedy is a passionate advocate for community service and youth development. She serves as the Executive Director of the Ryan Dungey Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing unique opportunities for children through national events and community-driven initiatives. Her leadership in this role has helped raise funds and coordinate volunteer efforts to create life-changing experiences for children, such as learning to ride a bike for the first time. This dedication to servant leadership mirrors her professional commitment to empowering both her team and her clients.
Mike Weber: Chief Growth Officer
Mike Weber’s promotion from Chief Marketing Officer to Chief Growth Officer marks an expansion of his responsibilities, signaling Upshop’s intent to explore new market opportunities beyond its traditional grocery segment. In this newly created role, Weber will lead marketing and sales efforts aimed at diversifying Upshop’s reach into emerging retail sectors. His strategic vision and innovative approach will be instrumental in identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities while maintaining the company’s strong presence in grocery retail.
Weber has played an essential role in shaping Leadership Team the Upshop brand since joining the company. He has been the driving force behind the development of the Altitude conference, a critical platform for fostering industry collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Under his leadership, Altitude has become a key event for retailers looking to stay ahead of market trends and technological advancements.
Throughout his career, Weber has been at the forefront of retail innovation, bringing a wealth of experience in retail design, shopper behavior analysis, and category management. Leadership Team His expertise spans multiple retail segments, including big box stores, grocery chains, and convenience stores. His early career involved conducting hands-on consumer research, such as shop-alongs and ethnographic studies, which provided him with unique insights into consumer preferences and purchasing behaviors. These insights have been invaluable in crafting effective category strategies and optimizing in-store space allocation to enhance the shopping experience.
As Chief Growth Officer, Weber’s primary objectives will include expanding Upshop’s market reach, forging new partnerships, and identifying innovative ways to integrate Upshop’s technology solutions into a broader retail ecosystem. His leadership will be crucial in positioning Upshop for long-term success and sustained market expansion.
Strategic Vision for Growth
The leadership changes at Upshop underscore the company’s strategic commitment to continuous innovation and market leadership. Leadership Team As retail technology rapidly evolves, Upshop aims to stay ahead by investing in top talent and empowering leaders who can drive meaningful change.
Chris Renda, Chief Revenue Officer at Upshop, emphasized the significance of these promotions, stating, “These strategic promotions reflect our commitment to positioning Upshop for continued growth and innovation. Lauren and Mike have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of our clients’ evolving needs. Their expanded roles will be instrumental in driving our next phase of growth while delivering exceptional value to the market.”
The promotions come at a pivotal time for Upshop as the company seeks to strengthen its solutions in areas such as AI-driven retail analytics, inventory management, and customer engagement tools. With retail technology playing an increasingly critical role in shaping consumer experiences, Leadership Team Upshop is focused on delivering advanced solutions that enable retailers to optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction.
