2025 Star Women in Convenience winner: Barb Christensen

Barb Christensen        

Manager, Leasing & Properties - North America

Parkland Corporation

How did you get into this business?

I started with Parkland after an acquisition. I was hired to manage their newly acquired portfolio of property.

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

The development of our lease management program at Parkland—expanding its capabilities, developing and automating processes that increase efficiency has been very rewarding.

What do you like most about your job?

Leading, developing, and mentoring people. No two days are ever the same, and I love it!

What was the biggest challenge or your career? What did you learn?

Entering the fuel and convenience industry with no prior experience in that space. I was confident I had great skills for the position I was hired for but needed to learn about the business itself to truly be successful in the role. I was fortunate to work alongside people with years of experience in the industry who were willing to mentor me. I am forever grateful to them for helping me grow and learn; they were instrumental in my career and played a role in making me the leader I am today.

What's the best advice you ever received?

Focus on what you can control and do a great job on those things. Don’t waste your time, effort and energy on things that are out of your control. As a leader in a fast-paced, evolving industry, there are many priorities competing for our time. This advice has helped me keep focused and deliver results.

What's your career highlight/biggest achievement?

Being promoted to manager. I am grateful for the leaders I have had the pleasure of working for, who supported my growth and development, mentored and encouraged me.

What excites you most about the future of this channel? 

Innovation, new products, and seeing more women in leadership roles.

How do you define yourself as a leader? 

I’m a collaborative leader focused on achieving business objectives with a people-first management style.