The Californer - Elizabeth McLaughlin, Founder and CEO of Red Wagon Group, named 2026 Presidential Leadership Scholar

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Joins an accomplished network of leaders; will learn from the presidential leadership of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Californer -- Elizabeth McLaughlin, founder and chief executive officer of Red Wagon Group, has been named one of 60 Scholars who will form the Presidential Leadership Scholars' (PLS) 11th annual class. Over the past decade, PLS has brought together nearly 600 established, purpose-driven leaders to make a difference in the world as they learn about leadership through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

The class was selected after a rigorous application and review process. Scholars were chosen based on their leadership and the strength of their personal leadership projects aimed at addressing a critical challenge or need in a community, profession, or organization.

With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, McLaughlin has led sales, marketing, product development, and commercial strategy across fast-scaling startups, privately held businesses, and global public companies.

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Most recently, McLaughlin spent more than a decade at Westrock Coffee Company in executive leadership roles, including Group President as well as the Executive Vice President of Sales. She helped guide Westrock Coffee's transformation into a publicly traded, mission-driven global enterprise, leading commercial strategy and product innovation for some of the world's largest retail and foodservice brands.

Through Red Wagon Group, McLaughlin now advises leadership teams on growth strategy, sales transformation, and consumer-led innovation, with a particular focus on building resilient, sustainable supply chains and commercially viable solutions that create long-term value.

"I am deeply honored to be selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar," said McLaughlin. "This opportunity to learn alongside extraordinary leaders from diverse backgrounds — and to challenge myself to grow as a values-driven leader — is both humbling and energizing. I look forward to applying these lessons to the work I care deeply about, particularly in building resilient, sustainable consumer supply chains."

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During the six-month program, McLaughlin will advance a Personal Leadership Project focused on strengthening food systems "from crop to cart" — exploring commercially viable, innovation-driven approaches to improving supply-chain resilience, supporting producers, and expanding access for consumers. The project reflects her long-standing commitment to building sustainable, inclusive growth across the food and consumer ecosystem.

Over the course of the program, Scholars will travel to each participating presidential center to learn from former presidents, key former administration officials, business and civic leaders, and leading academics. They will study and put into practice varying approaches to leadership and exchange ideas to help strengthen their impact.

About Presidential Leadership Scholars

The Presidential Leadership Scholars program is a partnership among the presidential centers of George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Lyndon B. Johnson. To learn more, visit www.presidentialleadershipscholars.org.