2026 Star Women in Convenience winner: Caroline Fredette
Caroline Fredette
Field operations manager
Canadian Tire Gas+, Canadian Tire Corporation
How did you get into this business?
I first got into this business while studying at Université de Sherbrooke, where I completed two co‑op terms with a major oil company. Those early experiences gave me great exposure to the industry and confirmed my interest in the field.
What are you most proud of during the last 12-18 months?
I am particularly proud of how I successfully navigated a significant increase in my responsibilities. Approximately a year ago, my scope expanded considerably and I was able to transition seamlessly without any interruption to performance. I remained focused, adapted quickly and continued to effectively support both the team and overall business objectives. This experience reinforced my ability to manage change while maintaining a high standard of delivery.
What do you like most about your job?
The dynamic nature of my role. There are always new projects and opportunities to expand my knowledge while applying my skills in different ways. The fast-paced environment keeps things engaging and continuously challenges me to adapt, learn and grow, which I find both motivating and rewarding.
What excites you most about the future of this channel?
How different generations of retailers and support staff are coming together—combining fresh perspectives with tried-and-true experience. This convergence brings a renewed energy to the business, which is especially important as our industry faces ongoing economic disruptions and evolving market dynamics.
Nomination highlights
With 23 years in the business, Caroline Fredette is a trusted operational leader and a vital link between corporate strategy and front-line execution across Eastern Canada. She is being recognized for her sustained leadership in field operations and her unwavering support of convenience retailers during periods of significant change, including rebrands, technology rollouts and organizational transitions. Overseeing petroleum and convenience retail sites across remote and difficult-to-staff regions, she consistently ensures retailers remain informed, supported and operationally strong. She has led field teams through complex transitions, coordinated site-level issue resolution and played a key role in managing communications related to POS challenges, team reassignments and operational updates. Beyond day-to-day operations, she has chaired annual retailer meetings in Quebec and supported retailer award nominations across the industry. In addition to her deep industry knowledge, her thoughtful leadership, strong communication skills and hands-on approach have strengthened retailer confidence and operational continuity throughout her surrounding network.
Click here for a full list of the 2026 Star Women in Convenience winners
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