2026 Star Women in Convenience winner: Laurie Sylvestre
Laurie Sylvestre
District manager – southwest region
Circle K | Alimentation Couche-Tard
What are you most proud of during the last 12-18 months?
Over the past 18 months, the introduction of beer and wine into convenience stores presented a significant challenge, particularly given the limited time available to prepare. Seeing the success achieved across my district made all the hard work incredibly rewarding. At the same time, I was also responsible for driving the growth of our Fresh Food Fast program. Balancing these major initiatives while ensuring the core business continued to operate smoothly required strong focus, adaptability and execution.
What do you like most about your job?
Every day is different, and that variety is what I enjoy most. I thrive on launching new programs and seeing thoughtful planning, collaboration and hard work translate into measurable results and meaningful business impact.
Biggest career challenge?
Returning to university after 10 years to complete my business degree was one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Balancing a full-time career, raising three children, including twins, and managing coursework required discipline, resilience and strong time management. With the support of my supervisors and a commitment to staying focused on my goals, I was able to successfully navigate those busy years and achieve something I am incredibly proud of.
What excites you most about the future of this channel?
The convenience industry has evolved tremendously throughout my career, and the pace of change continues to accelerate. Today, the industry offers far more diverse products, services and customer experiences than ever before. I’m excited to be part of this transformation and contribute to shaping the future growth and evolution of the sector.
Nomination highlights
With more than three decades in the convenience industry, Laurie Sylvestre fosters a reputation as a leader who adapts to change and helps others embrace it with confidence. Throughout major shifts in operations, food innovation, technology and consumer expectations, she has consistently championed progress while maintaining a strong focus on people development and operational excellence. Her experience includes 14 years as a manager before joining the organization in 2005, giving her exceptional front-line credibility and a deep understanding of the business at every level. Over the years, she has led impactful initiatives focused on dealer development, food culture, CSR and food captain capability building, business reviews and operational consistency. One of her most notable contributions was helping develop an effective store visit platform that improved regional consistency and accelerated onboarding for new district managers. She is also recognized as a trusted operational expert with strong knowledge of valuable operating systems, regularly supporting peers and leaders through coaching and problem-solving. She currently oversees operations across 15 stores and supports more than 100 employees through leadership development, performance management and operational coaching. Her influence extends well beyond her district through mentorship, onboarding support and her longstanding involvement with the Central Women’s Council, where she has helped promote leadership growth and representation across the business.
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.