Monica Garnes

Monica Garnes is President of Fry’s Food Stores, a division of The Kroger Co. headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is responsible for all aspects of merchandising and operations for the 125 stores located throughout the state of Arizona.

Her professional experience has included opening new stores, serving as the community/media/government communications liaison for 245 stores in the former Great Lakes Division, serving as a certified division inclusion trainer and running all aspects of Merchandising for the Fry’s Food Stores in Arizona. She was twice named one of Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery and in 2019 they named her Retail Trailblazer. Monica was named one of Fortune and Food and Wine magazines “Most Innovative Women in Food and Drink,” and was recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as one of their “Outstanding Women in Business,” as well as by the Arizona Business Magazine in the category of “Most Influential Women in Arizona Business.” In 2020, Monica received the Athena award from the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

Monica is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island. While at The University of Rhode Island, she was a four-year starter, two-year captain and was named to the Atlantic Ten All-Rookie Team for the women’s basketball team. Her commitment to service has been shown by her long-term participation in community service including memberships on several boards. Monica currently serves on the Phoenix Suns Charities Board, The University of Rhode Island College of Business Advisory Board, the Rio Salado College President’s Advisory Council, Greater Phoenix Leadership, and the Friends of the Food Bank Advisory Council at St. Mary’s Food Bank. She is also the Executive Chair for Kroger’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council.