2024 Star Women in Convenience winner: Thea Bourne

Partner marketing manager

BG Fuels

How did you get into this business? 

I began my professional life in the food industry, pivoting into R&D and manufacturing. I joined BG Fuels when it was still a part of Greenergy, in part, to work on the Crafted in Canada local product program at our Waypoint Convenience c-store banner. From there, my career has expanded in ways I didn’t expect but am very glad it has.

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

Building the partnership with MusiCounts on our Waypoint Cares community program. Together, we raised over $11,000 to donate on behalf of Waypoint Convenience. Working with a team that is as enthusiastic as I am about supporting and engaging with local communities is a joy!

What do you like most about your job?

I work with a wonderful group of people who are incredibly knowledgeable and open. Knowing there’s a supportive team behind you makes all the difference when facing challenges and making difficult decisions.

What was the biggest challenge or your career?

Retiring the Mr. Gas brand, along with its proprietary loyalty program Cash Plus. The brand was in market for 52 years and beloved by its customer base. The approach to retirement required sensitivity to the market while unwinding the complexities and making the necessary business decisions.

What's the best advice you ever received? 

Every problem has a solution. It may not be obvious, and it may not be what you want it to be, but every issue comes to a resolution. When I feel stuck, this helps me move out of a problem-focused mindset and look at broader options to find a solution.      

What excites you most about the future of this channel? 

I’ve never worked on two projects that are the same. It’s a constantly evolving industry that keeps changing form, and it demands flexibility as a business and as a professional.