#45 Jodie Schillinger

Maple Ridge Farms (asi/68680) – Executive Vice President

2024 Rank: #50

Industry Experience: 26 years

Previous Appearances on Counselor Power 50: 1

One year after her debut on the Counselor Power 50 list, Jodie Schillinger climbs five spots after a monumental year for Wisconsin-based Maple Ridge Farms (asi/68680). Sales for the food gifts-focused supplier were up 75% so far in 2025 compared to last year – in part thanks to heightened interest in the product lineup from Sweeter Cards, the chocolate and greeting card supplier that Schillinger first spied at an industry trade show a couple years ago. Maple Ridge acquired the company last year and then expanded its offerings this spring. And despite dealing with inflation – particularly from chocolate – food gifts largely avoided direct impacts from tariffs this spring and summer, as Maple Ridge products are made in the U.S.

With that growth mindset in mind, Schillinger says that one of Maple Ridge’s top priorities heading into 2026 is to add to the company’s team and customer base. With Q4 as the company’s biggest quarter each year, Schillinger and her crew bring on a number of additional workers (including Schillinger’s mom, Virginia Lemmer, who was one of Maple Ridge’s first employees more than 40 years ago and still joins her daughters – Schillinger, National Sales Executive Jamie Johnson and Marketing Coordinator Joelle Stahlecker – on the production floor every holiday season).

This year’s fresh hires include several full-time workers as well. But even as the company grows, Schillinger always has her eye on building community and experiences – with food gifts, and with her team. “Relationships are vital,” says Schillinger. “And for us, they’re the real icing on the cake – layered, celebratory and worth savoring.”