2023 Star Women in Convenience winner: Nicole Dubé

Manager, Canada merchandising execution

Parkland Corporation

How did you get into this business?

Many years ago, while working in marketing for a CPG company, I was approached by a recruiter for an opportunity at Chevron.  I had not considered a career in convenience, but I went to the initial interview and the rest is history. Between Chevron and Parkland, I am grateful for 23 years of incredible opportunities. I love the industry: It’s exciting, dynamic, always innovating and touches all consumers.

What work-related accomplishment are you most proud of during the last 12-18 months?

In the past year, I was heavily involved in creating, launching, and scaling a National Field Merchandising program at Parkland. This program helps support the customer experience in our convenience stores and helps to ensure a consistent, positive customer experience regardless of where in Canada our customers live.

What do you like most about your job?

This is a tie for me! The two best parts of my job are definitely the people I am blessed to work and collaborate with daily and the entrepreneurial freedom my company provides to allow creativity and autonomy to make a difference for our customers.

What was the biggest challenge of your career?

Personally, my biggest challenge was managing my career responsibilities while earning my MBA as a single mom of two great kids. These couple of years were very tough for me to navigate. I felt I was not doing the best I could for any of the three. In the end, I managed to get through, graduated and was promoted shortly after so it all worked out!

What's the best advice you ever received? 

I had a great mentor early in my career who told me to be tough, but respectful; to speak the truth without offending others; and to believe in myself even though (at the time) we were working in a male dominated industry. She helped me believe in my potential and to this day she is still someone I aspire to be.