2025 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Amanda Galante (Q&A)
Amanda Galante
Senior Category Director, Centre of Store – Super Market Division
Loblaw
How did you get your start in the grocery business?
During high school and university, I worked at a children’s clothing store, where I quickly fell in love with retail. I enjoyed curating displays of the newest clothing lines and helping customers find the perfect outfits for their children—it was rewarding to create an engaging shopping experience.
After graduating, I had the opportunity to join Loblaw. While I didn’t have prior experience in the grocery industry, I knew my passion for retail would translate well into this new role. Over the past 18 years with Loblaw, I’ve been fortunate to hold several progressive roles across the organization, including positions in brands, procurement and—most extensively—in category management and merchandising.
I’m deeply passionate about both food and retail, and I thrive on empowering teams to develop best-in-class merchandising and category strategies that deliver value to Canadians every day.
What keeps you motivated at work?
I’m energized by the dynamic, fast-paced and competitive nature of retail in Canada. My team plays a vital role in feeding Canadians from coast to coast by delivering value, offering the best products and creating unique programs for our stores. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to solve problems, which keeps the work exciting and rewarding.
What motivates me most is balancing these daily challenges with a strong future vision—ensuring we continue to deliver on our mission of “Helping Canadians Live Life Well.” Knowing that our work directly impacts so many lives inspires me to give my best every day.
What does a typical day look like for you and how do you prioritize your time?
I usually start my day early at the office, which gives me focused time to plan and set the tone for the day ahead. From there, I spend most of my time with my team—reviewing our business, discussing what’s going well and identifying areas where we need to pivot. Collaboration is essential, so meetings with key internal and external partners are always part of my day. These ensure alignment and help us stay on track toward our shared goals.
Prioritization is critical in such a fast-paced environment. I constantly ask myself: What is the most impactful work that needs to be accomplished this week? This applies not only to my professional responsibilities but also to my home life. One piece of advice that fundamentally changed how I manage my time and energy, was shifting my focus from daily priorities to weekly ones. By planning within a week-long span, I allow for flexibility in how tasks ebb and flow each day while staying laser-focused on achieving both short- and long-term goals.
What habits or mindsets have helped you stay resilient?
First and foremost, prioritizing my health and wellness—especially rest and exercise—has been key. I approach these aspects of my life with the same level of commitment as I do my work. Earlier in my career, I wasn’t as disciplined about this, but I’ve since learned that maintaining physical and mental well-being is critical to performing at your best, both professionally and personally.
Another important habit has been cultivating a solution-oriented mindset. When unexpected challenges arise, focusing on finding a way forward has always kept me grounded and resilient. This mindset comes from a confidence that there’s always a path through any problem if you approach it thoughtfully.
Lastly, leveraging your network and asking for help can make all the difference. There’s almost always someone who has faced a similar challenge or has valuable advice to share, and tapping into that collective wisdom can be incredibly empowering.
What career advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to stop waiting for everything to be perfect before stepping up and taking the leap. Looking back on my career, there were opportunities and projects I hesitated to pursue because I didn’t feel “ready” or thought I needed to have all the answers before putting my hand up. What I’ve learned since then is that growth happens when you step outside of your comfort zone—perfection isn’t required to make a meaningful contribution.
I’d remind myself that no one has it all figured out from the start, and it’s OK to learn as you go. Taking on challenges, even when they feel intimidating, allows you to build confidence, develop new skills and prove (to yourself and others) what you're capable of. If I could go back, I’d encourage myself to trust in my abilities more and not let self-doubt hold me back from opportunities where I knew I could add value.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stop doubting your abilities and to stop being so hard on yourself. I think many women, especially as they advance in their careers, struggle with imposter syndrome or hold themselves to impossibly high standards. This advice helped me realize that self-doubt can hold you back from reaching your full potential—and confidence often comes from taking action, not waiting until you feel “ready.”
Another valuable lesson I’ve learned is the importance of staying true to your values and leading with authenticity. As a leader, it’s easy to feel pressure to conform to certain expectations or ways of working, but the most impactful leaders are those who remain grounded in their principles and bring their authentic selves to every situation. Staying aligned with your values builds trust, strengthens relationships and allows you to lead with integrity.
Together, these lessons have shaped how I approach challenges and opportunities in my career—with confidence in my abilities and a commitment to staying genuine in how I lead.
What is a fun fact about you?
In the summers, you’ll often find my husband, my dog and me at our trailer—a little getaway spot that’s become our happy place. We love spending our time there relaxing at the beach, reading good books, trying out new recipes and exploring nature. It’s the perfect way to recharge after a busy week and reconnect with the simple joys of life.
Click here for the full list of 2025 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.