Is building a truly great workplace about perks and policies? Or about showing up and listening to the people who make the work happen?
Meet Cindy Torres Essell, Chief People Officer at Heinen’s, the family-owned grocery company serving communities across Northeast Ohio. Cindy’s path to leadership didn’t follow a straight line, but each chapter shaped how she leads today: with curiosity, empathy, and a deep respect for her frontline teams.
In this episode, Cindy shares how she works to connect corporate offices and stores under one associate-first culture. From spending days in the warehouse and production facilities to rethinking schedules so parents can be there when their kids get off the bus, she shows that culture doesn’t happen in a conference room, it happens by meeting people where they are.
She and host Sam Clyde Schroeder talk about what it means to learn the business from the inside out, why flexibility matters more than ever, and how stepping into a new challenge at Heinen’s became the most meaningful experience of her career.
Tune in to hear how Cindy is helping Heinen’s strengthen community, empower associates, and continue a tradition of care from store floor to leadership table.
Episode Highlights & Timestamps
- 01:00 – Introductions
- 02:00 – Cindy’s background and path to HR
- 04:00 – The Heinen’s offer
- 08:00 – The First 90 Days
- 09:00 – Creating unity across departments
- 12:00 – Improving flexibility for associates
- 15:00 – Avoiding burnout
- 21:00 – Performance management and providing feedback
- 27:00 – Becoming the Board Chair of Jumpstart
- 30:00 – HR Hot Seat; Staying true to yourself, Heinen’s must-haves, diving in
