PROVIDENCE, RI - United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is expanding its leadership team with the announcement of a new executive. Guillaume Bagal was recently appointed as the newest Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, effective September 14, 2020.

In this newly created role, UNFI explained that Bagal will continue advancing the company's commitment to promote equality, celebrate diversity, dismantle systemic racism in its workplace, and support justice in the communities it serves.

According to a press release, Bagal most recently served as Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI), which serves over 400,000 members. In his new role, Bagal will report directly to Danielle Benedict, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).

“Guillaume has a tremendous background, including a strong track record for bringing about change, generating associate engagement, and creating programs that help diversity initiatives and organizations prosper,” said Benedict. “His immediate focus will be on team building, reviewing and revising our current D&I efforts, and bringing together a more holistic strategy to advance our position as North America’s premiere grocery wholesaler and a top workplace for associates of all backgrounds. He’s experienced and motivated and will no doubt hit the ground running.”

Through an ability to create internal partnerships, Bagal helped refine BCBSRI’s internal and external DEI efforts and, in just over two years, helped grow their associates of color population and foster a sense of belonging, elevating the supplier diversity program with a stronger focus on Tier 2 spend.

Among many accolades, Bagal was appointed this year to Rhode Island Governor’s Equity Council to help address inequities witnessed through the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to inform Rhode Island’s reopening plan.

Bagal has served in policy roles at Whitman-Walker Health and as a Director of Policy at the Center for Global Health and Diplomacy. He also has extensive community leadership experience and currently serves on several boards of health and inclusion, including the Rhode Island Public Health Institute, where he chairs Rhode Island’s first LGBTQ health center and, previously, the Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliance, the nation’s oldest continuously active gay and lesbian civil rights organization.

Bagal is fluent in French, English, and two African dialects. He holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from George Mason University and Master of Sociology from East Carolina University and earned his undergraduate degree in French and Biology from East Carolina University. Bagal resides in Providence, Rhode Island, with his husband, Bobby Gondola, Jr.

Congratulations to Guillaume Bagal on the next step of his journey!

United Natural Foods, Inc.