Some have grown up in the grocery business, others have come to it following successful careers in other sectors. Some come from big companies, some from small ones, but all of our 2019 Star Women in Grocery winners are contributing and shaping the industry in their own unique way.

In its eighth year, Canadian Grocer’s Star Women in Grocery Awards recognize exceptional women in the industry who demonstrate influence, innovation and leadership. From retailers to association and CPG professionals, this year’s winners, chosen by Canadian Grocer editors, represent all parts of the industry and have been nominated by industry colleagues across three categories: store level stars, rising stars and senior level stars.

We are proud to introduce this year’s impressive group of Star Women in Grocery winners:

Rising stars

Norma Boyle, district manager, Southwest Ontario, Metro Ontario
Geneviève Dugré, director of retail operations, Rachelle Béry and IGA corporate stores, Sobeys
Amy Fox, director, customer development, Kimberly-Clark
Tanja Fraser, director of sales, UNFI
Kelly Herdin, food marketing manager, Federated Co-operatives Ltd.
Carolyn Hungate, marketing manager and category team lead, The Clorox Company
Linda Irvine, senior manager, supply chain and operations development, Pusateri's Fine Foods
Valérie Mercier, director of sales, A. Lassonde
Cathy Roufosse, regional director, Save-On-Foods
Tressa Scorziello, acting director, grocery, dairy, frozen, Longo Brothers Fruit Markets
Amanda Sztanek, director of sales, Greenhouse
Sofia Thompson, customer business lead, Kraft Heinz Canada

Senior level stars

Melanie Agopian, vice-president, divisional programs & strategy, discount division, Loblaw Companies Ltd.
Michelle Benoit, vice-president, commercial finance, Walmart Canada
Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO, Retail Council of Canada
Michi Furuya Chang, senior vice-president, public policy and regulatory affairs, Food and Consumer Products of Canada
Rosa Checchia, vice-president, marketing cheese, Parmalat Canada
Angela Doro, vice-president of operations, Freybe Gourmet Foods
Heidi Ferriman, vice-president, people & communications, Save-On-Foods
Anna Kolakowski, vice-president, merchandising, grocery for Super C, Metro Richelieu Inc.
Tara Longo, co-founder, The Healthy Butcher
Fran Mulhern, vice-president and general manager, The Minute Maid Company Canada
Sophie Ruel, vice-president commercial strategies, Agropur
Jana Sobey, vice-president of merchandising, community, Thrifty Foods and field, Sobeys
Ratana Stephens, co-CEO, Nature's Path Foods

Store level stars

Stephanie Harnock, store manager, Sobeys
Bethany Roberts, store manager, Colemans
Heather Savidant, store manager, Sobeys
Cindy Waytiuk, store manager, Red River Co-op

Click here to read the full profiles of the 2019 winners.

And, join us in celebrating our 2019 winners at the Star Women Awards Breakfast in Toronto on Sept. 18. Tickets on sale now!