What can grocery leaders learn from a Navy SEAL and NASA astronaut who has made critical decisions in combat, completed 10 spacewalks and spent more than a year in orbit?

This October, attendees at the 2026 NGA Executive Conference will have the opportunity to find out.

Captain Christopher J. Cassidy, USN (Ret.), will deliver the keynote address, “Leadership Under Pressure: An Astro SEAL’s Perspective,” during NGA’s premier gathering for independent grocery owners, operators, CEOs and senior executives, taking place October 20–22 in downtown Chicago.

Cassidy’s extraordinary career has placed him in some of the most challenging environments imaginable. From military missions to the International Space Station, he has led teams through uncertainty, managed risk and remained focused when failure was not an option.

Those lessons have never been more relevant for independent grocers.

Today’s grocery leaders are navigating labor challenges, supply chain disruptions, economic uncertainty, rapidly evolving technology and shifting consumer expectations. Success requires more than experience. It demands resilience, sound judgment, trusted teams and the ability to act decisively when conditions change.

Cassidy brings a powerful perspective on each of those qualities.

Before being selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004, Cassidy spent 11 years in the Navy SEAL Teams. He graduated as Honor Man of his Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training class and became a combat-proven leader during missions following the September 11 attacks. His military honors include two Bronze Stars, one with Combat “V,” the Legion of Merit and the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.

At NASA, Cassidy completed three spaceflights, logged 377 days in orbit and worked alongside international crews aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the Russian Soyuz and the International Space Station. His final six-month mission launched in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented uncertainty around the world.

Cassidy also served as NASA’s Chief Astronaut, overseeing training, crew assignments and operations while helping prepare others to perform at their best under extreme pressure.

Through compelling stories, humor and practical insight, Cassidy will show attendees how strong leaders build trust, create high-performing cultures, stay calm under pressure and inspire teams to overcome obstacles.

His keynote will be one of the can’t-miss moments of the 2026 NGA Executive Conference and an opportunity for grocery leaders to return home with fresh perspective, renewed confidence and actionable leadership lessons.

Join us October 20–22 in downtown Chicago for this unforgettable experience.