2025 Star Women in Convenience winner: Katie McHugh

Katie McHugh

Business Area Manager           

Imperial Tobacco Canada | BAT       

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

The work-related accomplishment that I am most proud of is being chosen to co-host our Canada-wide yearly conference in Cancun, Mexico this past April. Anyone that knows me knows that I won’t back down to a challenge but when it comes to public speaking it is not something I would usually raise my hand for. It is something that I have worked to overcome throughout the past few years and will always continuously work on. This was the perfect opportunity to really step outside of my comfort zone and in a much larger format than usual. There’s nothing like walking onto a stage in front of 450+ people to really knock the nerves out of you! It was truly a phenomenal experience, and I was so grateful to be a part of it.

What do you like most about your job?

The people—always and every day. It isn’t often that you can honestly say that the people you work alongside day in, and day out truly are your family. I constantly remind myself and others around me that we cannot do this alone and leaning on each other, supporting each other, and driving each other is what makes this company incredible—it’s the people and always will be the people. “Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is the progress, working together is the success”.

What was the biggest challenge of your career?

For me, it will always be the balance of excelling my career while being the most present mom to my incredible son, my mini me, and my little bestie! This is something that will always be a balancing act and something that I am so grateful to be my biggest challenge. Watching my son flourish while taking the driver’s seat of my career has been so incredibly rewarding and something that I am honored for him to grow up and witness!

What's the best advice you ever received?

Tomorrow isn’t a promise, it’s a chance—so take the opportunities, step outside your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and embrace the fear!

What's your career highlight/biggest achievement?

Having the opportunity over the last two years to host market visits to showcase our Canadian market to our global leaders has been outstanding. Being able to present to our global CEO, our Canadian leadership team, and countless global leaders has been such an incredible honour and something I never could have imagined my “younger self” doing. The planning, preparation, and teamwork that goes into these market visits is truly outstanding and an incredible opportunity to be a part of. If you had of asked me five years ago if I would ever present to our CEO and countless other market leaders I would have said you’re crazy but it is in these moments where you are able to see what you are capable of when you step outside of your comfort zone and take the leap—I promise it’s worth it!

What excites you most about the future of this channel?

Our Better Tomorrow—just hearing the success stories alone of Zonnic and the part it has played in so many people’s lives that are looking for alternative ways to quit smoking has been absolutely phenomenal. It is success stories like these that truly remind you of your purpose and potential!