Whole Foods Market® Welcomes Three New Global Vice Presidents

Leaders bring deep experience in retail, consumer goods and brand identity

Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ:WFM) today welcomes three new global vice presidents. Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Global Vice President of Marketing, Martin Tracey, Global Vice President of Team Member Services, and Brooke Buchanan, Global Vice President of Communications, joined their respective teams today.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sonya, Martin and Brooke to our senior leadership team,” said Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market. “They are accomplished leaders who bring deep retail and consumer experience, valuable perspective on both internal and external communications strategy and will play an integral role in supporting the company’s culture of innovation and team member empowerment as we continue to grow and evolve.”

Sonya Gafsi Oblisk

As Global Vice President of Marketing, Sonya Gafsi Oblisk will lead the company’s marketing, advertising and brand development efforts, including digital, brand marketing and customer relationship strategies. Oblisk brings more than 15 years of experience in retail, consumer products and affinity marketing, including an eight-year tenure at Wal-Mart where she most recently served as Vice President of Marketing for Sam’s Club.

Martin Tracey

As Global Vice President of Team Member Services (HR), Martin Tracey will have strategic responsibilities for the end-to-end team member experience including recruitment, compensation and benefits, talent analytics, learning and development and payroll operations for more than 87,000 team members. In his most recent role at Starbucks, Tracey was responsible for leadership development, talent analytics, and organizational development as Chief Talent Officer and Vice President of People Development.

Brooke Buchanan

As Global Vice President of Communications, Brooke Buchanan will lead Whole Foods Market’s public relations, internal communications and government affairs efforts. Buchanan has previously served as Vice President of Communications for Theranos, Vice President of Public Relations for Williams-Sonoma and held multiple senior positions at Wal-Mart. Prior to her corporate experience, she spent over eight years in political and government communications.

The new vice presidents are based at the company’s headquarters in Austin, Texas.

About Whole Foods Market®

Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ:WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, team member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 87,000 team members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 19 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2015, the company had sales of more than $15.4 billion and currently has more than 455 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more company news and information, please visit media.wfm.com.

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