2025 Star Women in Convenience winner: Janne Fisher

Janne Fisher   

Regional Sales Manager          

Ferrero Canada    

How did you get into this business?

In 1996, shortly after I finished my university degree in Winnipeg, I applied at Pepsi for a customer service/sales role.  At the time they weren’t hiring, and I decided to go back to school to get a journalism diploma post-university. I received a call from Pepsi right after I finished the journalism course and immediately started working there.  After a short period of time working in customer service sales in Winnipeg, I was asked to do a pilot test of direct selling and merchandising in the convenience and gas channel.  It was so much fun to pioneer this project which became a permanent department shortly after.  After about a year at Pepsi, they asked me if I would be interested in moving to Vancouver to do a regional marketing type role as part of the integration of Gray Beverages into Pepsi Cola Canada Beverages.  I said yes!  I look back on my days at Pepsi with the fondest of memories and am still friends with many of the people I met there to this day.

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

After a couple of challenging years, receiving the vendor of the year award at a major Canadian convenience retailer.

What do you like most about your job?

I love the convenience and gas channel—there are many obstacles and challenges to overcome, and I pride myself in finding new and innovative ways to drive traffic, bring shoppers into the store, and convert them into confectionery buyers.  Ferrero is an amazing company to work for and being a family-owned business, Ferrero has a strong culture of community and support for their employees.  Our mission is to craft quality products while respecting people and the planet and treasuring the richness and diversity of our world. Our purpose is strong in everything we do—bringing joy to people by delighting and surprising them with delicious products.

What's the best advice you ever received?

Believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to!

What's your career highlight/biggest achievement?

Winning this award is the new highlight of my career!

What excites you most about the future of this channel?

The convenience and gas channel is in a constant state of transformation and has always proven how it can adapt to the challenges in the world and industry. I’m excited to help our retailers drive traffic into their stores by finding unique and creative ways to capture the shopper’s attention.

 What trends or innovations are you keeping an eye on right now. Is there anything you think will shape the business in the next five years?

I’m keeping my eye on things like foodservice, retailtainment, cross-promotions and merchandising, electric vehicle charging, digital activations, loyalty programs, expansion of alcohol, and sustainability and community initiatives—I think these are some of the most important things convenience and gas will use to help drive traffic into the stores.