2025 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Chantal Butler (Q&A)
Chantal Butler
Chief Marketing Officer
Mondelēz Canada
You started in the sector as a sales rep for Gatorade, selling to the grocery and C&G channel. What skills served you then that you employ today?
The foundation I built as a sales rep for Gatorade remains incredibly relevant in my current role as CMO. While the scale and scope have evolved, the core principles are the same—understanding the shopper journey, making data-driven decisions, communicating clearly, collaborating effectively, and demonstrating adaptability and resilience. These skills have helped me navigate the complexities of the marketing landscape and lead my team through periods of change.
What is a career challenge you’ve faced?
One of my biggest challenges was climbing the corporate ladder as a woman and mother in a male-dominated industry. Early in my career, I was often the only woman in the room. This meant I had to work harder to prove my credibility, voice my ideas and earn the same level of respect as my male peers. At times, I was even advised to “be more like him.” It wasn’t easy, but I learned to turn these challenges into motivation. Today, I’m proud to be helping shift the culture where I can: mentoring female talent, trailblazing for other women to ensure our voices are heard, advocating for more inclusive decision-making and driving performance through collaboration—my true superpower!
How would you describe your leadership style?
My leadership style blends strategic vision with a focus on collaboration and empowerment. I aim to build high-performing teams that drive business growth, enhance brand equity, and deliver exceptional consumer and customer experiences. To achieve this, I prioritize setting a clear vision and fostering a data-driven culture that embraces innovation and experimentation.
You were pivotal in moving Mondelēz's "employee satisfaction" score from 63 to 84 in three years. How did you help elevate Mondelēz as a top employer?
My contribution to the improved employee satisfaction scores was centred on fostering an environment where everyone felt encouraged to show up as their authentic self, every day. By identifying key barriers to engagement and focusing on initiatives—like recognition programs and team celebrations—while investing in personal development, we created a more positive and inclusive work culture. This not only contributed to the improvement in employee satisfaction scores, but also helped us attract and retain top talent, strengthening Mondelēz’s position as an employer of choice. My role was to champion these values within my department and advocate for them across the organization.
What excites you about the grocery business?
What I’ve loved most is the ability to make a real impact on consumers’ everyday lives. There are innovations I helped bring to market that are still on the shelves today! Hearing consumers speak proudly about our brands is deeply fulfilling and reinforces the value of our work. It’s exciting to continuously reinvent, launch compelling campaigns and drive innovation grounded in rich insights around purchasing patterns, preferences and trends. Beyond that, the grocery industry plays a critical role in providing access to affordable, nutritious food. As marketers, we have the opportunity to promote healthy eating, support sustainable practices and contribute to addressing food insecurity.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
My wonderful family and friends, who continually inspire me to be my best self. I’m also deeply committed to mentoring young professionals in our industry and at Mondelēz Canada, where I serve as an executive sponsor of the Women’s Network. Supporting my community is equally important to me. I was recently appointed to the board of directors for Trillium Health Partners Foundation, where I’m excited to contribute to their fundraising efforts to help bring world-class health care to Canadians. These passions keep me grounded and creative. They also shape my perspective as a leader, enhancing my ability to understand and better connect with consumers.
Click here for the full list of 2025 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.