2025 Star Women in Convenience winner: Jackie Lacroix

Jackie Lacroix

Regional Business Manager, Southwestern Ontario

Gas+, Essence+ | Canadian Tire Corporation   

How did you get into this business?   

I started as a cashier 44 years ago (I was going to do this for a summer). I was given an opportunity to manage a site and moved around to a lot of different Ontario locations over the years. I eventually moved to Toronto and was the manager of recruitment and training, but my heart was always on the front line. I moved back into the field and have happily been part of the regional business manager team for 22 years.

What do you like most about your job?

I love the people. I work with a very engaged team of Retailers who share our vision of providing a high level of customer service as well as promoting sales and ensuring our site image is top drawer. We are supported by our Retail Support Center, vendors and contractors—all of whom I get to interact with regularly. No one day is the same as the next.

What was the biggest challenge of your career?

Moving from a field position (site manager) to an office position (manager of recruitment & training). The move back to the field as a regional business manager was a much easier transition. Add to that two children and there were times when I wondered if I was doing any of it really well.

What's the best advice you ever received?

Do your best every single day and treat everyone with respect. It doesn’t matter where you are or who you interact with, it won’t be enough for some, and others will be thrilled with the interaction. If you’ve done your best that is all you can do.

What's your career highlight/biggest achievement?

Playing a little part in our retailers’ successes. My focus has always been to get the right people, into the right site at the right time. Over the years I’ve had a small part in retailers overcoming things that have been a challenge for them, achieving targets they didn’t they would and becoming strong business owners in their communities. Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing them succeed. It never gets old!

What excites you most about the future of this channel?

Change. There are no two days alike and there is always something new coming down the pipe.