2024 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Sara Abe (Q&A)
Sara Abe
VP, Commercial Capabilities & Marketing
Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd.
What has been a highlight of your career?
I’ve had the good fortune to work with exceptional leaders across a number of industries and the lessons I’ve learned have helped to shape my own leadership style. The real highlight of my career has been the opportunity to pay those lessons forward. Coaching and leading talented and motivated people is extremely fulfilling and continues to be a highlight for me.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I believe it’s important to develop core principles and values that drive my philosophy—values like integrity and open communication, along with a willingness to grow and adapt have always been at my core. I believe in empowering and supporting my team to expect and achieve excellence in their work. Lastly, I am committed to cultivating the growth of the people I lead.
How have you attracted talent to Gay Lea?
Gay Lea Foods is a Canadian farmer-owned co-operative, so our work is inherently purpose-driven. Success isn’t measured solely by financial performance. We also measure ourselves on how we contribute to a thriving Canadian dairy industry and how we enrich the communities where our members and employees live and work. We have a responsibility to balance our focus on people, profit and planet. It’s an exciting time for Gay Lea Foods—there is a dynamic and empowering leadership team, and an ambitious strategy to carry our co-operative into the future. That means everyone who works here today gets to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of Gay Lea Foods.
You work with younger talent on personal development plans. What does that look like?
I coach individuals to create a list of skills and responsibilities that motivate and inspire them. When engaging in development conversations, the focus should centre around understanding the types of functions where they will thrive and find enjoyment. Simultaneously, it’s essential to identify any gaps in their current skill set and experience and provide ideas on how to close those gaps. By doing so, they position themselves competitively for future opportunities. Rather than fixating on specific jobs and titles, I encourage people to embrace a more dynamic perspective. The professional landscape is in constant flux, with roles emerging and disappearing regularly. By concentrating on skills and responsibilities, individuals gain the flexibility to adapt to these changes. This agility becomes a valuable asset for navigating their future career path.
What is a fun fact about you?
On summer weekends, you will always find me on the golf course!
Anything else you’d like to share?
I would like to thank Canadian Grocer for continuing to profile and support women in the industry and to congratulate all the winners.. I would also like to thank Gay Lea for providing a supportive, empowering, challenging and fun environment as I continue to evolve my career.
Click here for the full list of 2024 Star Women in Grocery award winners.