2024 Star Women in Convenience winner: Hannah Sandulescu

Marketing manager, fresh foods & proprietary beverages

7-Eleven Canada

How did you get into this business? 

I started in marketing at a large Canadian media agency developing multi-media marketing strategies and campaigns for clients from a range of industries. After completing my MBA, I held marketing and brand manager roles for several CPG start-ups before moving to 7-Eleven Canada in 2022.     

What are you most proud of from the last 12-18 months?

I was awarded 7-Eleven Canada ‘Marketing Manager of Year’ in 2023 for my contributions to growing customer count and revenue by introducing new food and beverage event days and elevating our iconic Slurpee events. And being named a Star Women in Convenience for 2024!

What do you like most about your job?

The creativity and collaboration—I work with many cross-functional teams and partners to build our proprietary food and beverage brands and bring value to our customers. I also like the dynamic nature of my work—every day is different.

What was the biggest challenge of your career?

Evolving with the ever-changing marketplace and consumer behaviours, especially during the pandemic. 

What's the best advice you ever received? 

‘A person that never made a mistake is a person that never tried anything new’ (Albert Einstein). Don’t be afraid to try new things or make bold decisions. Making mistakes is part of the growth journey.

What excites you most about the future of this channel? 

The best practices, tools/tactics, and marketplace are changing and developing at such a rapid pace. I’m most excited about the immense potential for convenience and retail store brands to enhance customer experiences through new technologies.

What will shape the business in the next 5 years?

The fast adoption and growth of mobile commerce including mobile apps, loyalty programs, personalized offers, contactless payment solutions and the integration of AI into inventory management tools, mobile apps and analytics tools.