March 2026

Leading Wawa’s Legacy of Growth with Chris Gheysens (Ep. 13)

By ThePlanningPerspectivesPodcast | March 18, 2026

What does it take to build a brand that inspires lasting loyalty while navigating decades of growth and rapid change? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Chris Gheysens, CEO and Chairman of Wawa Inc., to explore the leadership mindset, ownership structure, and long‑term strategy behind one of the nation’s most recognizable retail brands.

Chris shares how servant leadership, employee ownership through Wawa’s ESOP, and a disciplined focus on customer experience fuel the company’s performance. He also discusses Wawa’s pragmatic approach to technology and AI, the realities of national expansion, and why protecting human connection remains central to the brand’s competitive edge.

Chris discusses:

His 33‑year Wawa journey—from Deloitte accountant to longtime CEO and Chairman
How Wawa’s ESOP makes over half of its 51,000 associates true employee‑owners
The impact of servant leadership and a people‑first culture on loyalty and retention
Wawa’s pragmatic approach to AI and its national expansion toward 1,700 stores

Connect with Bryn Mawr Trust:

Connect with Kate Duffy:

LinkedIn: Kate Duffy

Connect with Jamie Hopkins:

LinkedIn: Jamie Hopkins

Connect with Chris Gheysens:

About our Guest:

Chris Gheysens is the CEO and Chairman of Wawa, one of the country’s most recognized and beloved convenience retail brands. With over 33 years at the company, Chris began his career at Deloitte, where Wawa became one of his clients, before joining the organization in 1997. He has held roles across accounting, operations, IT, and human resources, and served as CFO before stepping into the CEO role 14 years ago. Under his leadership, Wawa has grown to more than 1,200 stores and 51,000 associates across 14 states, with plans to reach nearly 1,700 locations by the end of the decade. Chris is a strong advocate for servant leadership and employee ownership, overseeing one of the largest Employee Stock Ownership Plans in the country, where associates share the same stock rights as the founding family. A Villanova University graduate, Chris is deeply committed to building a culture that is both highly caring and results-driven, and believes that putting people first, both employees and customers, is the foundation of long-term business strength.

**note: This guest is a non‑paid member of the WSFS Financial Corporation Board of Directors**

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Smarter Strategies to Pay for Education (Ep. 12)

By ThePlanningPerspectivesPodcast | March 4, 2026

College costs keep rising, but the financial side is only part of the story. How do you plan for education while balancing emotions, expectations, and long-term goals?

In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy break down smarter, more flexible ways to fund education while navigating the emotions, expectations, and values that shape these decisions.

They unpack practical strategies around tax‑free growth, frontloading contributions, new Roth rollover rules, and talking with kids about money.

Whether you’re a parent, planner, or just thinking ahead, this conversation delivers insights most families overlook.

Key takeaways: