2023 Star Women in Convenience winner: Ingrid Palmer

Business development manager

Danone Canada

 

What do you like most about your job?

I’m proud of what Danone stands for—being in business as a force for good. This year marks our 5^th anniversary as the largest BCorp-certified consumer-facing company in Canada; I’m proud to be part of a team that meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance. 

What was the biggest challenge of your career?

Growing and educating industry stakeholders about the opportunity that ‘better-for-you’ offers would bring to the standard convenience store. We were ahead of our time!

What's the best advice you ever received?

Embrace change. Assume positive intentions. Treat each moment as if it were your own business.

What's your career highlight?

Being part of the ‘bottled water’ revolution in convenience and watching it grow; growing new better-for-you categories in the convenience channel and seeing them thrive.

What work-related accomplishment are you most proud of during the last year?

Collaboration with convenience key stakeholders in the plant-based and yogurt categories and growing their space in stores; bringing a destination for better-for-you in stores for shoppers.

What excites you most about the future of this channel?

As consumer behaviours have evolved with a shift to better-for-you products, the convenience channel is embracing the change. Digital technology and home delivery are expanding the convenience shopping experience. Convenience stores are becoming destinations for shoppers as opposed to a top-up stop.

What trend or innovation will shape the business in the next five years?

Plant-based is no longer a niche category; it’s becoming a lifestyle choice. Continued focus on an openness to explore innovation, grow category space and embrace consumer needs.  

Anything else you would like to add?  

I’m honoured to be recognized alongside fellow Star Women in Convenience.