When you meet Kathy Book, you might first notice her warm smile or the way she lights up when she talks about food. But behind that approachable presence is a woman with a mission—a mission to help Christian women thrive in their careers while staying rooted in faith. Kathy spent over 22 years with the Kroger family of stores, carving out a path defined by creativity, leadership, and faith. And now as VP of Perishables at On-Shelf Marketing Group (OSMG) and through his ministry, Kathy is using her experience and heart for mentorship to lift other women in the workplace.

Painting a Picture of Purpose

Most people would never guess that Kathy is also an accomplished painter. She works primarily with acrylics, painting landscapes that reflect both beauty and meaning. “It’s something that truly feels like a gift from God,” she says. “I didn’t grow up painting or drawing—I’m very left-brained, so it’s almost like the right-brain kicks in when I paint.”

Kathy’s art began as a stress-reliever when she moved to Cincinnati, but it quickly became an act of worship. At one point, she felt God nudge her: paint one piece a week and give it away. From July to December of that year, she did exactly that—painting weekly and gifting her work to friends, coworkers, even a janitor at Kroger. “It’s a ministry for me in many ways,” she reflects. And in that ministry, she discovered something powerful: connection.

“When I paint for someone, I often feel God’s love for them in a really tangible way. Whether I know the person well or barely at all, it’s a meaningful connection, and I believe God works through it,” Kathy says.

This instinct to serve and connect would later become a cornerstone of her “why”—her personal mission to empower other women, spiritually and professionally.

The Surprising Journey at Kroger

Kathy’s love for food began in her childhood on a small farm with cows, pigs, and a garden that produced vegetables they canned for winter. “It was truly farm-to-table before that was a trend,” she laughs. Cooking wasn’t just about nourishment; it was about community and care. That same sense of purpose carried her through her career.

She joined Kroger and quickly realized that God was working through her roles in unexpected ways. At one point, she was even considering leaving to pursue culinary school, dreaming of opening her own restaurant. But God had other plans. “I realized God was opening doors within Kroger. I eventually moved into roles in new product development, culinary innovation, and even opened a restaurant as part of my role,” Kathy says.

Some of the positions she held didn’t even exist before she arrived. She helped create them—an incredible example of leadership and initiative. She managed Kroger’s relationship with Starbucks, launched sushi concepts, and navigated the complexities of third-party vendor relationships—all while staying true to her love of food and people.

“It was amazing to watch it unfold,” she recalls. “Once I accepted that this was the path God wanted me on, my career shifted completely. I began writing recipes for products and taking on new roles. I was all in.”

Integrating Faith and Work

Faith was always important to Kathy, even in the corporate world. At Kroger, she started a women’s Bible study during lunch. Her boss blocked her lunch hour to ensure she could lead the group without interruption. “There were also a couple of men’s Bible study groups that met early in the morning,” Kathy remembers.

But being a Christian in the workplace wasn’t always easy. Toward the end of her tenure at Kroger, she faced challenges that tested her identity. “I was very achievement-oriented at work and spiritually engaged outside of it, but I hadn’t integrated the two. I was being called to be one whole person,” she says.

The pressure became overwhelming. She wasn’t sleeping, anxiety was creeping in, and she realized she was becoming someone she didn’t want to be. Eventually, God made it clear it was time to leave Kroger, even when it felt uncomfortable.

Finding the “Why” After Leaving Kroger

Leaving Kroger didn’t mean stepping away from purpose—it meant stepping into it. That year, Kathy rested, reflected, and listened to where God was leading. But rest didn’t mean inactivity. Women began reaching out, asking to continue the Bible studies. What started as a small group evolved into eight weekly Bible studies across the city.

Kathy also began writing curriculum—a brand-new skill. “I had no writing experience—but my last name is Book, so God clearly has a sense of humor,” she laughs. With help, she created 13 different four-week studies and founded Women in the Marketplace (WIM), a nonprofit designed to help working women grow in faith, build relationships, and impact their communities.

“The name came from the Experiencing God study—it referenced Jesus being in the marketplace, and I thought, ‘That’s what we are. Women in the marketplace,’” she explains.

Her “why” had taken shape: to empower women to integrate faith into their professional lives, offering mentorship, tools, and community for growth.

Bringing Mentorship Into the Workplace

Kathy’s passion didn’t stop at small groups. She wanted women on her team at OSMG to experience faith-based leadership development firsthand. One employee’s transformation through a leadership program inspired her to expand opportunities for more team members.

“OSMG is a faith-based company. We serve God, our clients, and each other. As we grow, I want the young women who will eventually lead this company to lead like Jesus,” Kathy says. Her goal is to create an environment where faith and work intersect, where mentorship and leadership development are grounded in biblical principles.

She explains the value simply: “When you engage in mentorship and leadership development rooted in faith, you gain practical tools, encouragement, and a deeper sense of how your faith shapes your leadership. You also build lifelong relationships.”

Her approach isn’t exclusive to women; men have shown interest, too. But Kathy finds that gender-specific groups allow for deeper vulnerability and connection.

The Ripple Effect of Faith-Based Mentorship

Kathy’s work demonstrates that supporting Christian women in the workplace doesn’t just benefit the individuals—it strengthens the teams and companies they lead. Her mentorship fosters confidence, relational skills, and spiritual integration. She believes that helping women grow in faith and leadership isn’t just charitable—it’s transformational.

“This is about creating space for women to be their whole selves—to bring faith into their work, to lead with integrity, and to support others as they grow,” she says.

Through her leadership initiatives at OSMG, Kathy’s mission continues to expand. The ripple effect is clear: women gain confidence, grow in skill, and inspire others to follow their example.

Why Kathy’s Story Matters

Kathy’s journey shows that leadership isn’t just about titles or responsibilities—it’s about purpose, faith, and service. It’s about finding your “why” and helping others discover theirs.

From the farm-to-table kitchen of her childhood to the corporate leadership of OSMG, Kathy has integrated her faith, passion for food, creativity, and mentorship into a life mission. Her story reminds us that leadership with purpose impacts not only the individual but entire communities.

“Empowering Christian women in the workplace isn’t just my mission—it’s my calling. When women are equipped to lead with faith, integrity, and confidence, they can change their workplaces, their industries, and their communities,” she says.

For anyone looking to make an impact in the workplace while staying grounded in faith, Kathy Book’s journey is both inspiration and blueprint. It’s a story of listening to God’s call, embracing opportunity, and turning passion into purpose.

Kathy Book is VP of Perishables at On-Shelf Marketing Group, a local broker for the Kroger family of stores. She has over 22 years’ experience working for the Kroger Co. She was previously Director of Culinary Development where she was responsible for leading innovation and new food concept development.

Prior to that, she was Director of Food Service on the deli/bakery team, where she was responsible for Starbucks, Sushi and other third-party relationships. She also held the position of Sr Category Manager for grocery and Corporate Brand Sr Culinary Innovation Manager, where she led innovation and strategy work across all departments.

Kathy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Butler University in Indianapolis. She has been named one of Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery. Kathy also founded a women’s ministry called Women in the Marketplace, Inc, a non-profit that helps working women grow in faith, build relationships and impact the community.