2022 Star Women in Convenience winner: Kelly Rand

Manager, store planning & merchandising

Parkland Corporation

How did you get into this business?  

My introduction into this industry started with an application for a temporary office job at Chevron – I was trying to decide what I wanted to do when I grew up.  They hired me in a finance position within the credit card group. There were lots of career paths, training, mentoring and exposure to different arms of the business in my first year. I set my sites on retail, and I’ve been in various merchandising and operations roles since then – and happy for that unintentional introduction to the industry.

What do you like most about your job? 

I’ve had, and continue to have, the privilege of working with some amazing colleagues, retailers, and vendors. People that have invested in me, guided me, taught me, and inspired me – whether intentionally or not. I am truly grateful for that, and I feel it is my responsibility to continue to pay that forward. Without a doubt, watching people grow, helping them “get there” – that is what I like most about my job.

What's the best advice you ever received? 

The best advice I’ve ever received was around unintended consequences – what happens if you fail to consider the impact your actions can have on others. That early advice plays in my head daily and guides me as I interact with individuals and when planning projects – nothing slows down a great plan like failing to ensure all stakeholders are engaged.

What are you most proud of during the last year?  

Over the past year our Industry has been impacted by fires, floods, supply chain challenges, the pandemic, and more. I’m incredibly proud of the adaptability of my team. They have navigated these challenges and pivoted to help keep our On the Run conversion roll out on track while minimizing impacts to customers and our business.

What excites you most about the future of this channel? 

Consumers want to engage with us in person and virtually, they need different fuelling options, they want to utilize different payment methods, they are focused on sustainability, they expect a wide variety of food experiences, and they have even more choices on where they can fulfill these requirements. I’m really excited about how fast this channel is leading solutions to ensure we exceed consumer’s expectations now and in the future.