2026 Star Women in Convenience winner: Catarina Bosnjak
Catarina Bosnjak
Ice cream Canada sales operations manager
The Magnum Ice Cream Company
How did you get into this business?
My career in ice cream started in marketing 28 years ago and I’ve had a variety of different roles over the years crossing into trade marketing, distributor management, in-store merchandising and cabinet operations.
Biggest career challenge?
I’ve seen a lot of change within my own organization as well as transformation of this channel, but I would have to say the most exciting thing that I am incredibly proud of is to be part of our transition into a stand‑alone ice cream company. It’s an exciting moment of growth and renewed purpose—and I’m grateful to contribute to a team that’s shaping something meaningful.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
The best advice is more on a personal level and more a quote that has always stayed with me: People will always remember how you made them feel. I try to remember that in my day to day and when interacting with others.
Career highlight?
Helping to rebuild an entire distribution network—a moment that pushed and stretched me, but I gained so much from the experience. I became deeply involved in understanding every moving part: the people, the systems, the bottlenecks and the opportunities to make changes. I worked across multiple functions, building relationships that are now the backbone of the turnaround.
Nomination highlights
Catarina Bosnjak is widely recognized as an indispensable leader whose dedication, operational expertise and customer-first mindset actively shape the success of TMICC’s out-of-home ice cream business over an impressive 28-year career with Unilever. She oversees the national freezer cabinet fleet and leads all point-of-sale execution, ensuring equipment deployment, inventory management and major commercial programs are delivered with operational excellence and financial discipline. Her leadership has been instrumental during critical business challenges, including rebuilding Ontario’s distributor network within one week after the unexpected loss of a master distributor and sourcing regional freezer inventory during COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. She also leads the execution of national POS programs tied to key selling periods such as the “100 Days of Summer,” consistently delivering premium-quality materials on time and to global brand standards. Beyond operations, she is widely respected as a mentor, culture-builder and trusted partner whose empathy, reliability and deep industry relationships continue to strengthen teams, distributors and customer partnerships across Canada.
Click here for a full list of the 2026 Star Women in Convenience winners
Be there when the industry comes together in-person to celebrate at the Star Women in Convenience Awards Event.