2026 Star Women in Convenience winner: Jessica Hunter
Jessica Hunter
Communications manager
7-Eleven Canada
How did you get into this business?
My career has spanned marketing and communications in various industries, including hospitality, hospitality, interior design and construction, children's footwear and food and beverage retail. I started with 7-Eleven Canada as a contractor leading the launch of our first mobile app and managing new store openings. The role expanded into broader marketing initiatives, including ESG programs, digital content and led to communications management.
What are you most proud of?
Leading the external communications strategy for a national product launch of our Japanese-style egg salad sandwich, which included an integrated PR campaign that generated strong national media coverage and social engagement, contributing to record sales performance.
What do you like most about your job?
Working across PR, internal communications, community impact and brand sponsorships keeps the work dynamic, allowing me to leverage my experience to connect our internal and external audiences.
Biggest challenge?
I’ve always worked on lean teams, which has pushed me to be highly resourceful, prioritizing high-impact work, leveraging the right channels and finding creative ways to extend reach without increasing budget.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
You don't need to have all the answers immediately. Taking the time to fully understand an issue or opportunity leads to a stronger, more aligned outcome.
Career highlight?
Evolving into a role where I can integrate marketing, communications and community impact. I’m proud of the growth I’ve driven with our charitable partnerships and look forward to seeing how much more impact we can make.
What excites you most about the future?
The combination of speed, creativity and direct connection with consumer behaviour makes this a very dynamic and interesting space to work in.
Nomination highlights
For more than 13 years, Jessica Hunter has been a motivator behind 7-Eleven Canada’s communications, community impact and brand presence, bringing agility, creativity and a solutions-focused mindset to every challenge. Officially joining the company full time in 2024 after several years as a contract partner, she has led and supported major initiatives spanning sustainability, digital marketing, sponsorships, mobile apps and store openings. She has helped expand the brand’s national visibility through strategic public relations efforts, interviews and media coverage while also developing and executing the company’s sponsorship strategy. Her leadership was instrumental in launching impactful community partnerships with Children’s Miracle Network and Food Banks Canada through the roundup program. As the lead for internal and external communications, crisis response, social impact initiatives and LinkedIn strategy, she is a trusted voice across the organization. Known for her calm, collaborative approach under pressure, she consistently elevates both the work and the people around her.
Click here for a full list of the 2026 Star Women in Convenience winners
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