“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou
This simple, yet profound quote, has been the compass Shawna Hanson has used to guide her 40 years as a leader with the Associated Food Stores’ pharmacy team.
“For me, the most important thing has always been having the right team to accomplish those goals you seek.” Shawna shared. “As we know, it all begins in the stores; and we have exceptional teams working each day in our pharmacies.”
Working in the store as a teenager was exactly where Shawna’s path shifted, thanks to an influential mentor. “When I was 16 years old, I applied for a job in our neighborhood independently owned drug store. I was thinking about veterinary school or pharmacy school at the time.”
Shawna recalls, “The owner of the drug store was very good to me, took me under his wing, mentored me through high school and my first year of college. He was key in helping me change my career path towards Pharmacy.”
Not only did his influence change her career path, but it also gave her a template for the kind of leader she would become, with a focus on people first.
Pharmacy team member Chris Sheard said he understood Shawna’s focus on people from their first interaction. “One evening she stopped by Dan’s 33rd to introduce herself to a fresh, out-of-school, pharmacist. She had a warm and welcoming smile combined with a down-to-earth demeanor.
Although Chris admits he didn’t initially realize who he was visiting with and says, “It wasn’t until she asked if I wanted to come into the office to help pharmacies complete MTM cases that I realized I was talking to THE Shawna, my boss’ boss!”
Chris concluded, “Shawna has always connected with people and led through kindness, not titles or position.”
Fellow team member Jared Memmott says, “Shawna is 100% the only reason I applied and accepted the offer to come to AFS.
Jared continued, “her leadership style exemplified the very best. Trust in her team to get the job done.”
Shawna has led with optimism and a willingness to do the hard work alongside her team.
Eliseo Faz joined the pharmacy team early in the department’s history and recalls his first meeting with Shawna.
“The office was so small that it just had room for her, a chair and a desktop. I had to sit in a chair in the doorway to have a conversation with her. I was struck by her kindness and positive attitude about a very difficult transition that she had just taken her team through.” Eliseo recalled.
Shawna admits the road hasn’t always been easy, however, “As I look back on all the programs that have been put in place and the progress that has been achieved over the years; I am so proud and thankful for our pharmacy team and all the other teams that have done the work with us.”
Early on, Shawna demonstrated that kindness did not mean weakness. When asked for a few words describing Shawna, Paige Patterick said, “Kind but firm. Direct but caring.”
Paige continued with, “At the time she entered pharmacy school, I believe she shared with me she was one of only a few women in her class. She not only entered the profession as one of a few but always led the profession in a way only a few could. The impact she has had in so many other lives, especially on many of our female pharmacists today, is impressive. They look up to her as a mentor and friend. I enjoyed watching that from a seat of respect and admiration.”
When asked about her experience working with Shawna, Pharmacy Marketing Specialist, Felicia Crosson, says, “Shawna’s the kind of leader I aspire to be, someone who inspires hard work, positivity, and unity. I’ve learned so much just by watching her lead.”
Clinical Director, Denise Kunkel adds her endorsement about the foundational leadership Shawna has provided the AFS pharmacy organization. “Shawna’s greatest contribution has been her vision of the future of pharmacy and her gift to assemble and guide a winning team.”
Shawna shared, “Steve Jobs once said, ‘great things in business are never done by one person, they are done by a team of people.’ I am a firm believer in teamwork and have so appreciated our pharmacy teams in the stores, at the office as well as the entire team at ‘One Associated’ It truly takes a village.”
She continued, “I would also like to thank David Rice for his unwavering support of pharmacy from the beginning. He has also been an incredible mentor to me over the years and has helped me to grow in so many ways. I will always appreciate his leadership.”
Rada Zekanovic summed it up best, “Thank you, Shawna, for everything. I am happy to know you and call you my friend! Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement!”