2024 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Mélanie Lebel (Q&A)
Mélanie Lebel
SVP, Human Resources
Danone Canada
How did you get your start in the CPG business?
I have worked in different industries throughout my career. When I joined Danone in 2016, I found my “work home.” Danone—and the industry—is a consumer-centric, rapid-paced, purpose-led environment that continues to attract exceptionally talented people. This is what excites me about working in CPG.
What is your best quality?
I think one of my best qualities at work is getting to the core of challenges and empowering teams to find solutions and a path forward.
What keeps you motivated at work?
I love this question! I genuinely don’t ever get the Sunday-night blues. I tend to stay motivated when I am challenged professionally, always learning and having fun in the process!
What is the biggest career challenge you've faced?
At the time, it felt like a major hurdle, but in hindsight it was the best experience—early in my professional journey, I took a “step back” in the proverbial career-ladder. At such an early stage in my journey, this was a difficult move and, at the time, I was concerned my career would forever be negatively impacted. In fact, it allowed me to concentrate on listening and learning and building solid foundations for my future roles. It taught me that we must take a longer-term view of our careers, versus short steps in rapid succession. It allowed me to reach the role I am in now with more impact.
What do you like most about your job?
I love getting the right people together to figure out how to capitalize on opportunities, mitigate risk, or resolve the “unresolvable”.
What do you like to do when not working?
I equally love sitting quietly for hours and reading a book, as I enjoy going out with my husband, breakfast with friends, paddleboarding with my son or taking road trips with my daughter. I secretly love driving my kids around and singing or chatting in the car with them.
Click here for the full list of 2024 Star Women in Grocery award winners.