KeHE Unwrapped: Emily Davis
At KeHE®, we’re proud to recognize team members whose leadership, dedication, and commitment continue to make a meaningful impact across our organization. This month, we’re excited to feature Emily Davis, Director of Human Resources, who supports the Commercial Sales Team from our Naperville office.
As Emily approaches her 10-year anniversary with KeHE, her journey reflects the power of purpose-driven leadership, meaningful relationships, and a people-first approach to Human Resources. Over the years, she has evolved from providing day-to-day HR support to serving as a trusted strategic partner to leaders, helping teams navigate growth, organizational change, and transformation. Throughout every stage of her career, Emily has remained focused on creating an environment where both people and the business can thrive.
Q: What is your current position, and which KeHE location do you work at?
A: I am the Director of Human Resources, supporting the Commercial Sales Team. I work from the Naperville office.
Q: How long have you been with KeHE, and what inspired you to join the company? What was your first impression?
A: I’ll celebrate 10 years with KeHE this November.
I was drawn to KeHE because of its strong values, purpose-driven culture, and the incredible people I met throughout the interview process. It felt like a place where I could do meaningful work, make a real impact, and be part of an organization that genuinely cares about its employees and the communities it serves.
From day one, I was struck by how welcoming and collaborative everyone was. There’s a sincerity here that truly stands out—you can tell people genuinely care about one another and are committed to helping each other succeed.
Q: How has your role evolved during your time at KeHE, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
A: My role has evolved significantly over the years. I transitioned from primarily supporting day-to-day HR operations to partnering closely with leaders on organizational strategy, talent, organizational design, and helping teams successfully navigate change as the business continues to grow.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that the most meaningful outcomes happen when you balance business priorities with genuine care for people. Leading through change has reinforced the importance of consistency, strong relationships, and clearly communicating the “why.” Those are often the moments when leadership has the greatest opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Q: Can you share a standout memory or experience at KeHE that holds special meaning for you?
A: Rather than one specific moment, what stands out most are the opportunities I’ve had to support leaders and teams through meaningful transitions.
Whether welcoming a new employee, helping a team navigate change, or watching someone grow into a new role, those moments have been incredibly rewarding.
Some of my most meaningful experiences happen behind the scenes—seeing a leader inspire a team to achieve incredible results, watching a team come together after a challenging season, or witnessing difficult situations handled with empathy and integrity. Those are the moments that leave the biggest impression and remind me why I love the work I do.
Q: What opportunities have helped you grow personally and professionally during your time at KeHE?
A: I’ve had the opportunity to partner with incredibly talented leaders while taking on meaningful work that continually challenged me to grow.
Supporting organizational transformation, leadership development, and talent strategy has expanded both my perspective and my capabilities. Personally, those experiences have helped me become more adaptable and confident navigating ambiguity. Professionally, they’ve strengthened my ability to influence, build trusted partnerships across all levels of the organization, and lead with both courage and empathy.
Q: What changes at KeHE have made the biggest impact on you, your work, or the company culture?
A: KeHE has experienced tremendous growth and evolution over the years, particularly in how we align our organization and talent to support the business.
Being part of that transformation has been incredibly meaningful. One of the biggest changes I’ve witnessed is the company’s continued investment in leadership alignment, organizational clarity, and culture—even during periods of significant change.
That has reinforced one important lesson: how we lead people through change is just as important as the outcomes we achieve.
Q: How have your colleagues and the KeHE community shaped your experience?
A: The people at KeHE are truly what make building a career here so rewarding.
I’ve had the privilege of working alongside leaders and colleagues who are not only exceptionally talented, but also thoughtful, supportive, and genuinely committed to helping one another succeed.
There’s a true spirit of partnership across the organization, and that collaboration creates an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and proud of what they’re able to accomplish together. Those relationships have shaped both my career and my experience at KeHE in countless ways.
Want to learn more about KeHE? Visit kehe.com/about.
Interested in joining our team? Explore open roles at careers.kehe.com.
