Donna Tweeten, a longtime Hy-Vee executive and the company’s first female president, died Wednesday following a recent diagnosis of Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, the company announced in a statement. 

Tweeten served in communications and marketing roles with Hy-Vee, including chief marketing officer, before being named president in 2022.

She joined Hy-Vee in 2006 as assistant vice president of communications after working with the West Des Moines-based grocer through agency partner the Meyocks Group, where she served as president and chief creative officer. She had also previously held roles with advertising firms Davis Harrison Dion-Chicago and Anderson Communications.

Tweeten retired in January 2025 but continued as a consultant for Hy-Vee until her death. 

Tweeten played a key role in Hy-Vee becoming the first retailer to sign contracts with Caitlin Clark and establishing partnerships with other athletes such as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Shawn Johnson East.

She was widely recognized in the advertising and retail industries, receiving honors including Adweek’s Champion of Change, Ad Age’s Leading Women Forward and Mass Market Retailers’ Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Tweeten received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Drake University and obtained certification from the Kellogg School of Management’s Executive Leadership program at Northwestern University.

“We are simply heartbroken by the sudden loss of Donna Tweeten,” Jeremy Gosch, chairman and CEO of Hy-Vee, said in a prepared statement. “Not only was Donna a trailblazer across Hy-Vee and the retail industry, she was a true friend and mentor to many, myself included. Donna leaves behind a lasting legacy and will forever be remembered for her bold ideas, creative passion and commitment to excellence. We miss her deeply and words cannot express the sorrow that is being felt across our Hy-Vee family due to the impact she had on all of us.”

Funeral arrangements have not been finalized and will be announced soon.