Business Planning, Newsworthy Topics

Leading Wawa’s Legacy of Growth with Chris Gheysens (Ep. 13)

Jamie Hopkins, Esq., LLM, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®

Bryn Mawr Trust
Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors

Kate Duffy, FBS®

Bryn Mawr Trust
Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors

March 18, 2026

2 min read

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What does it take to build a brand that inspires lasting loyalty while navigating decades of growth and rapid change? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Chris Gheysens, CEO and Chairman of Wawa Inc., to explore the leadership mindset, ownership structure, and long‑term strategy behind one of the nation’s most recognizable retail brands.

Chris shares how servant leadership, employee ownership through Wawa’s ESOP, and a disciplined focus on customer experience fuel the company’s performance. He also discusses Wawa’s pragmatic approach to technology and AI, the realities of national expansion, and why protecting human connection remains central to the brand’s competitive edge.

Chris discusses:

His 33‑year Wawa journey—from Deloitte accountant to longtime CEO and Chairman
How Wawa’s ESOP makes over half of its 51,000 associates true employee‑owners
The impact of servant leadership and a people‑first culture on loyalty and retention
Wawa’s pragmatic approach to AI and its national expansion toward 1,700 stores

Jamie Hopkins, Esq., LLM, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®

Bryn Mawr Trust
Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors

Jamie Hopkins oversees the private wealth management group’s financial advice strategies and growth initiatives, along with leading the institutional and personal trust businesses. He joined the company in 2023.

Kate Duffy, FBS®

Bryn Mawr Trust
Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors

Kate Duffy collaborates with clients to provide wealth management strategies, financial planning, and investment advice. She joined the company in 2024.

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