Star Women in Convenience Awards Event celebrates 30 exceptional women
The 2021 Star Women winners stepped onto the virtual star on September 29th for the Star Women in Convenience Awards Event.
Supporters, colleagues and guests from across Canada came together to celebrate the 30 winners and honour the essential role of the women in the convenience and gas industries.
Each winner was called to the virtual stage where they had an opportunity to speak and show off their beautiful custom award. The awards, each handmade by Canadian glass artist Tara Marsh, reflect the ethos of program in that they are made in Canada and support a woman-owned business.
In addition to the awards presentation, attendees enjoyed an informative and evocative keynote from Kathy Perrotta, VP of Ipsos Canada. Perrotta spoke about “Conscious consumption: Offering Canadians convenience without compromise” and highlighted key macro trends shaping consumers’ consumption choices, while also examining how the industry can be inspired and empowered to meet these needs as a framework for growth.
The engaging panel—Diana Masri of Imperial Tobacco Canada, Anna Mazza of Suncor Energy (Petro-Canada), Jennifer Stewart of the Canadian Independent Petroleum Marketers Association and Alissa Woo of Alimentation Couche-Tard—shared experiences and advice about leading through change, building strong teams, staying motivated and the joy that comes from delighting customers.
Thank you!
A huge thank you to the Star Women in Convenience Awards sponsors and industry partners, who have supported the Star Women program and helped make this award for women such a great success.
Congratulations
Now in its fourth year, SWIC recognizes exceptional women from all facets of the channel—from independent entrepreneurs to leaders in retail, distribution, product innovation, manufacturing, industry associations and c-suite executives—who demonstrate commitment, innovation and leadership in times of extraordinary change.
Chrystal Adkins: industry professional
Marie-Andrée Bourgeois: Sales director, Kind Snacks
Courtney Brodersen: Ontario regional sales manager, JTI-Macdonald Corp.
Nikoletta Charamis: National key account manager, Sobeys Wholesale
Karen Demetriou: Senior business development leader, Conagra Brands
Rose Donatelli: National account manager, Lactalis Canada
Véronique Dubois: Management consultant, convenience and gas, Sobeys Capital Inc.
Rebecca Fitzpatrick: Key accounts representative, Vomar Industries Inc./Tank Traders
Manon Francoeur: Procurement manager, Proximity Banners, Metro Inc.
Laura Gray: Marketing director, PepsiCo Beverages Canada
Leena Halim: Program & marketing manager, SRP Companies Canada
Chantal Jalette: Operations manager, Les Entreprises Sylvain Turgeon (Petro-Canada)
Melissa Kwok: Manager, Canadian marketing channel execution, Parkland Corporation
Anna Mazza: Specialist, wholesale distribution, Suncor Energy Inc. (Petro-Canada)
Tiina McCombie: National petroleum director, National Energy Equipment, Inc. (NEE)
Verna Martens: Owner-operator, Super Splash (Shell)
Diana Masri: Business area manager, Imperial Tobacco Canada
Raj Minhas: Owner-operator, Petro-Canada
Cynthia Moscato: Senior marketing manager, Quebec West Division, Couche-Tard
Cherrie Palo: GDP & health and safety compliance manager, Wallace & Carey
Mélanie Racine: Director, human resources, Groupe F. Dufresne
Monica Row: Key account manager, Mondelēz Canada Inc.
Jody Rubino: Regional retail & marketing manager, W. O. Stinson & Son Ltd.
Judi Saliba: Senior sales executive, TFI Food Equipment Solutions
Jennifer Stewart: President and CEO, Canadian Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (CIPMA)
Cindy Tal: Regional operations manager, Parkland Corporation
Laurie Ure: Owner-operator, Ure’s Country Kitchen
Rebecca Winter: Director of sales and customer service, Payment Source
Alissa Woo: National campaign manager, marketing—Canada, Alimentation Couche-Tard
Valery Zamuner: General counsel, SVP legal affairs and corporate secretary, Alimentation Couche-Tard