Top Women in Grocery (TWIG) is an award sponsored by Progressive Grocer as part of its annual Grocery Impact Conference, to be held this year on November 7. The 2025 TWIG Awards, announced in June, include Columinate’s Carolee Colter.

Progressive Grocer describes TWIG in these words: “The annual Top Women in Grocery (TWIG) program is Progressive Grocer’s prominent award competition and event where we recognize female leadership from the retail, supplier and service provider community. Candidates are nominated by colleagues and peers for one of three categories: Senior-Level Executives, Rising Stars, and Store Managers.” 

Colter has been strengthening co-ops in HR and related fields for over forty years—she is more a guiding star than a rising star! The award mentioned her co-founding of the Rising Stars training seminars and authoring the “Hiring a GM Toolbox.” The statement highlighted her Gender Equity Project, launched in 2021, which had a major impact and led to more equitable compensation for many female managers. 

Congratulations, Carolee Colter, on this well-earned recognition!