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On Friday, we lost an incredible light in our lives as our beloved mother earned her angel wings after a courageous battle with leukemia.
The void she has left is immeasurable, and words fall short of expressing the depth of our family’s grief and the profound feeling of loss shared by all who knew her.
She was a fierce warrior, a brave soul, and the epitome of love, spirit, and loyalty.
To us, she was not just a mother but my greatest confidante and inspiration. It brings us great peace to know that she is now reunited with Dad, the love of her life, whom she longed for every single day since his passing.
Her spirit will forever live on in our hearts, and we will go on with absolute certainty that she knew how loved she was, and loved us in return. We will mourn her forever, but celebrate her beautiful life every day as we move forward. She was quite simply the “Best Ever”.
Carole Christianson was a true trailblazer—serving as the first female Illuminator Headlite in 1997 and making a lasting impact as Chief Operating Officer of The WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF FOOD CHAINS Inc. Her career was nothing short of legendary, and her leadership lit the way for so many.
Our world feels a little less bright without her presence, but her legacy continues to light the way.
Shine on, Carole.
The Illuminators is an organization of vendors and suppliers dedicated to developing and enhancing key relationships within the grocery industry, providing opportunities for education and leadership, and supporting the Illuminators Educational Foundation.
Raising money for education is in our DNA! We offer scholarships through our Illuminator Education Foundation available to our members and grocer partners in the food industry.
We create opportunities for our members to lead committees, serve as board members, and give back to our industry partners during their Annual WAFC convention and CGA Strategic conference and networking events throughout the year.
Building strategic partnerships for our members and their companies which offer unique opportunities to grow their customer base and improve their overall business relationships.
Greetings, Servant Leaders!
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the best organization in the grocery industry. I am honored to take my turn leading this incredible group of dedicated individuals who embody our heritage of spreading the lite of good fellowship withing the Retail Food Industry. The Illuminators is an organization of vendors and suppliers dedicated to developing and enhancing key relationships within the grocery industry, providing opportunities for education and leadership, and supporting the Illuminators Educational Foundation. All that, with an added element of fun and entertainment.
The Illuminators show up in a big way—we get things done. We are the unseen force behind the WAFC and CGA conventions, working tirelessly to unload trucks and ensure thousands are fed. If you grabbed lunch at the WAFC convention, an Illuminator served you. This team is made up of exceptional servant leaders—balancing their day jobs while showing up to make a difference.
How do you get involved? It’s simple—just show up and volunteer. With over 20 committees to choose from, there’s a perfect fit for you. Besides the conventions, we host four rallies leading up to the WAFC convention, along with retailer and special events throughout the year. Your skills and contributions will help us grow stronger together. You get out what you put in, so dive in! The Illuminators are ready to welcome and guide you on your journey.
I am deeply grateful for the connections I’ve made throughout the years through this organization. The Illuminators are trusted and respected by retailers and vendors alike, earning that trust by consistently showing up and serving with excellence. ROI can be hard to measure at industry events, but if your company is looking to get in front of retailers, the Illuminators can help. Having one-on-one time with executive leadership is priceless.
Have a fantastic year, and please reach out if you need anything. I am here to serve you. We will Rise Together!
Thank you, my friends. Shine On.
Lori Brown,
Headlite (President)
