Her Story
About Leila
Leila Ruiz Diaz is an architecture-trained professional working in the grocery retail and store development sector in the Greater Boston area. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and began her career in interior and architectural design, contributing to commercial and educational projects. Early roles at firms such as Hajian Architects helped her build a foundation in CAD production, construction documentation, and design development, while also strengthening her interest in how built environments shape user experience and functionality.
She later transitioned into grocery retail design, where she spent several years working across store planning and format development roles within organizations including Stop & Shop and Ahold Delhaize USA. In these roles, she focused on developing store prototypes, remodels, and flagship formats, blending architectural design principles with brand identity and customer experience strategy. As a Format Manager, she played a key role in conceptualizing and executing large-scale store redesigns and new builds, collaborating with cross-functional teams in construction, marketing, and operations to bring innovative retail environments to life.
In her current role as an Indirect Sourcing Analyst in Store Development, she supports capital programs by guiding vendor selection, supplier strategy, and procurement decisions for new stores and remodels. This work combines her design background with financial and negotiation expertise, ensuring that development projects align with both strategic goals and operational efficiency. Alongside her professional career, she is active in community leadership as President of the Boston One Dragon Boat Team, where she helps manage organizational growth, finances, and team development. Her career reflects a consistent thread of curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to shaping spaces that serve both people and communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Leila
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the organization I'm part of and the people I've come across throughout my career - they've all helped develop me into who I am today. The curiosity that is welcome in my field has been crucial. I don't think anybody gets into indirect sourcing unless you're curious about what makes up the industry, diving into the details and figuring things out along the way. This role has exposed me to many areas I hadn't had exposure to prior - the financials, negotiation skills, writing up contracts, and understanding everything that makes up a store today. It still taps into my creative interests because I love creating spaces for people to enjoy, and I'm making sure that the materials we're delivering at the end of the day still meet our standards and can be enjoyed by its end user. My multi-disciplinary foundation in architecture has been critical to get me here. And I would be remiss if I did not recognize my high school, Design & Architecture Senior High School in Miami, Florida, where my creativity and preparation to succeed where cultivated and encouraged across many disciplines.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
With a well rounded foundation, and curiosity to continue to learn and develop yourself, you can achieve success in any field of your choice. Trust in yourself, your creativity, and your abilities to pursue even the most unlikely path.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say to not be afraid to explore and branch out beyond the norm. If you started in architecture, you might think you're going to be an architect, but down the line the road may present you with opportunities and choices that may get you somewhere else completely. You might think, oh wow, this is new, I would not have envisioned ever being in this part of the industry. I've seen many of my peers go into construction mgmt, Project Management, Real Estate, Facilities, and many other fields. Architecture as a profession is very robust - it prepares you to do many things. There are different paths to take, and your foundation is probably the best way to get there. So don't be afraid, take the risk and chances, what lies ahead may really surprise you!
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
For me right now, it's about expanding my network and getting a little bit more of outside perspectives and pulse on the retail and construction industry. I have been part of this organization for a very long time, and appreciate all the perspectives and journeys I've been exposed to, but I do feel that it's a moment to grow and expand further and challenge myself in how to apply it within.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, I value problem solving - when there are roadblocks, I don't just shy away from them, I figure out how we can get to the root and potential solution. I enjoy the engagement and the dynamics of working on complex projects. I love spaces and building them for others to enjoy, and it's something I carry on the daily even though I'm not necessarily drawing plans today. I like to share this passion with others as well. I personally enjoy diving into details and figuring how things work. In my personal life, I try to balance myself by staying active throughout the year. In the summer, I do dragon boat paddling, which is physically challenging, but highly rewarding. In the fall, I do mountain biking, and in winter, which is my favorite season, I do a lot of snowboarding. It's not all go-go, though, I also like to garden and enjoy time with my cats, and repairs around the house, those moments bring me peace.
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