Mary Fuhrman, Hy-Vee Recognized with Lifetime Achievement Award

St. Paul (October 3, 2024) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to recognize Mary Fuhrman, recently retired from Hy-Vee, with the Lifetime Achievement award as part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

"Mary Fuhrman’s contributions to Minnesota’s retail industry are truly extraordinary," said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. "For 35 years, she has led with integrity, dedication, and a relentless focus on customer service. Mary’s commitment to supporting her team and her leadership at Hy-Vee have left a lasting mark on the industry. We are privileged to celebrate her remarkable career and legacy with this award."

Reflecting on her career, Fuhrman shared, "It has been a true honor to work with a team that impacts so many lives daily. My time at Hy-Vee was about more than just work—it was about building relationships with our customers and the incredible people I had the pleasure of leading. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the community, and receiving this Lifetime Achievement Award is both humbling and rewarding."

Fuhrman’s decades-long career at Hy-Vee helped shape the company’s presence across Minnesota. Renowned for her leadership, strategic vision, and passion for retail, Mary has been a mentor to countless retail professionals. Her commitment to community engagement and customer satisfaction has been a cornerstone of her work, leaving a lasting legacy in the industry.

Fuhrman is the sole recipient of the Minnesota Retail Champions Lifetime Achievement award. Nine other organizations and individuals will also be honored in categories such as Retail Mentor of the Year, Vendor Partner of the Year, Retail Innovation, Customer Experience, Advocate of the Year, Retail Community of the Year, Social Responsibility, Retailer of the Year, and Best Place to Work.

Fuhrman will receive the award at the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley. The event will include an engaging panel discussion titled “Game Changers: Transforming the Retail Landscape in Minnesota,” featuring speakers like Minny & Paul founder Laura Roos, Nosh Posh founder Tatiana Freeman, and Victual owner and president Paul Kirkman, and Ali Kaplan with Twin Cities Business. For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

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Click here to see all the 2024-2025 Minnesota's Retail Champions.

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About Minnesota Retailers: Minnesota Retailers is a non-profit association formed to improve communities through a holistic investment in retail, representing small, regional, and national retailers. Our mission is to ensure collective success across Minnesota by advancing retail for businesses, employees, consumers, and policymakers. Our vision is to be the driving force in the evolution of the state's retail landscape through advocacy, valuable insights, and championing innovation. More at www.mnretail.org.

Contact: Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (651) 227-6631