Her Story
About Andriana
Andriana Carrizales is a dedicated Supervisor in retail and warehouse operations at H-E-B in San Antonio, Texas, with more than seven years of experience supporting teams, driving operational excellence, and developing frontline partners. She began her career with H-E-B in 2017 in a housekeeping role, initially without a specific career path in mind. Through her commitment, strong work ethic, and willingness to embrace new opportunities, she discovered her passion for leadership and professional growth. After approximately a year and a half with the company, Carrizales returned to school with the goal of becoming an educator and was awarded an H-E-B scholarship, further demonstrating her dedication to personal development. Throughout her career, Carrizales has taken advantage of H-E-B’s leadership development opportunities, completing the PDS program, HCDP program, and ATL program, which helped prepare her for advancement into management. She progressed into leadership roles and has served as a supervisor for almost four years, overseeing warehouse operations, mentoring partners, and fostering a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. Her dedication to excellence has been recognized through management excellence awards and customer service awards from her peers, reflecting her ability to inspire and support those around her. Carrizales continues to pursue opportunities for growth within H-E-B, with aspirations of becoming an operations leader or contributing to the talent development team to help cultivate future leaders. She credits much of her success to the influence and example of her mother, whose dedication and service as a city councilwoman inspired her to lead with resilience and purpose. Guided by values of authenticity, compassion, and service, Carrizales is committed to leading with heart, staying connected to her roots, and creating an inclusive environment where all partners feel supported and empowered—particularly by helping Spanish-speaking team members overcome language barriers and achieve success.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Andriana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strength, hard work ethic, resilience, and example of my mother. She taught me the importance of perseverance, service, and leading with purpose. In 2020, she stepped into public service by running for city council and winning, demonstrating the courage to take on new challenges and make a difference in her community. After being diagnosed with ALS in 2021, she continued to serve with dedication and remained committed to helping others. She was also a tremendous source of support in my personal journey, including helping care for my daughter during the long hours I dedicated to professional development programs. Although she passed away in 2024, her legacy continues to inspire me every day. Her strength, compassion, and commitment to serving others motivate me to lead with heart, stay true to my values, and continue striving for excellence. I would not be where I am today without my mom, I hope I am making her proud and continue to work hard towards that every day.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to recognize opportunities, believe in my potential, and never be afraid to take the next step in my growth journey. Throughout my career with H-E-B, I have been fortunate to have mentors who saw my potential and encouraged me to pursue opportunities that helped shape my future. Matt Cuvelier and Roxy Ortega played a significant role in my development by encouraging me to participate in H-E-B’s leadership programs and supporting my advancement. Their guidance opened doors for me, including the opportunity to connect with Nichole McNeese, who was a store manager at the time and became a lasting mentor and inspiration. I admired her leadership and accomplishments. I believe every person who has supported me and every “heart for people” moment throughout my H-E-B journey has helped shape the leader I am today. I am grateful to those who believed in me, provided guidance, and encouraged me to grow, and I strive to provide that same support and encouragement to others as they pursue their own career paths.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this industry to challenge themselves, remain curious, and embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. Never be afraid to ask questions, even if you feel like you are asking too many, because continuous learning is essential to building confidence and expertise. Set goals for yourself every day, every month, and every year, and stay committed to achieving them. In a traditionally male-dominated field, remember the importance of representing women, bringing your unique perspective, and making your voice heard. Believe in your abilities, push beyond your comfort zone, and remind yourself that even when you think you cannot, you are capable of achieving more than you realize. Keep striving, keep growing, and never stop believing in yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field is continuing to grow and lead in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Throughout my career, I have embraced challenges as opportunities to strengthen my confidence, enhance my leadership skills, and demonstrate what is possible through dedication, resilience, and perseverance. I believe one of the greatest responsibilities and rewards of leadership is the ability to develop others while continuing to expand my own knowledge and experience. Through mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning, I have been able to support a diverse workforce, build meaningful relationships with partners, and create a positive impact within my team. I remain committed to staying curious, embracing new experiences, and seeking opportunities that challenge me to grow while inspiring others, especially women pursuing leadership roles, to recognize their potential and achieve their goals.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are authenticity, compassion, and staying true to who I am. I believe in always being genuine, leading with heart, and remembering where I come from. Staying connected to my values allows me to build trust, create meaningful relationships, and support those around me. As a leader, I believe it is important to be present for my partners, whether that means providing guidance as a supervisor, offering encouragement, or simply being someone they can turn to and rely on. I am also passionate about supporting Spanish-speaking partners by learning enough to help bridge communication gaps and ensure everyone feels understood, valued, and included. Above all, I strive to lead with kindness, integrity, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.