CAREER PATH
2024– Present Vice President, Customer & Commercial Leadership Organization, Conagra Brands
2022 – 2024 Vice President, Commercial Strategy, Insights & Transformation, Conagra Brands
2019 – 2022 CEO, Sapsucker
2017 – 2018 Vice President, Commercial & National Sales, Coca-Cola Canada Bottling
2015 – 2016 Vice President, Channel Strategy & Marketing, Coca-Cola Co.
2009 – 2014 Group Director, Immediate Consumption Channel, Coca-Cola Co.
What drew you to the CPG industry?
Family conversations at the dinner table. My dad spent his 30+-year career in the food industry – working for Nestle Canada in marketing and global roles in communications. I have vivid memories of seeing my dad’s passion for his work, watching new advertising and sampling new confectionery and ice cream products before they hit store shelves. My dad has always played a strong mentor role, so following his footsteps into CPG was an easy career decision. The advice I was fortunate to receive has inspired me to give back to the next generation of CPG leaders.
Can you describe your main responsibilities in your current role? What has been a highlight?
I lead our customer sales and strategy teams. My role is focussed on building partnerships and creating value for our retail and foodservice customers in what is a very dynamic market right now. A recent highlight is the successful introduction of two new frozen brands (PF Chang’s & Bertolli) and 34 new frozen items to capitalize on new, diverse taste and menu trends in response to the growing needs of Canadian shoppers. If you’ve walked a frozen aisle recently, the shelf sets are changing!
How do you manage change in the business and the industry?
I get really excited at the opportunity for change. When I lead change, I think it’s important for my team to understand why change is necessary and how they can continue to be successful as they navigate through it. I like to build trust by making myself accessible and creating a safe environment to allow for open communication and feedback.
How do you handle situations where you have to make a decision without having all the necessary information?
When I was CEO of a start-up company, Sapsucker, many days were full of ambiguity and putting out the next fire. When I joined Sapsucker, I had to unwind 22 years of process and routine from Coca-Cola and quickly adapt to a new world of entrepreneurship. Not having data and reporting at my fingertips to support my decisions became the new normal. Getting comfortable working with less, trusting your instincts, and getting scrappy with your investments are valuable learnings that I’ve carried forward to my current role at Conagra Brands to promote more agile decision making and speed to market.
Describe how you create an inclusive team environment that values diverse perspectives.
Good ideas can come from anywhere, but I recognize that not everyone has the same opportunity to have their voice heard. I’ve made it a priority to lend my support to organizations like Next Up who are promoting the advancement of women in leadership roles.
How do you nurture the next-gen leaders within your team?
I skip meetings on a regular basis with my team. I meet with associates who report into my direct reports. It’s my opportunity to listen, learn and keep a close pulse on engagement. I enjoy spending time in the marketplace visiting stores as another effective way to collaborate and learn with our next-gen leaders.
What advice do you wish you had received early in your career?
Don’t let perfection get in the way of progress.
