2025 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Christina D'Angelo (Q&A)
Christina D’Angelo
Category Business Manager
Mars Food & Nutrition
How did you get your start in the CPG business?
I began my career in the energy sector at OPG [Ontario Power Generation], working with the project management/communications team. After a few years, I decided to make the shift to CPG as it was closer to my specialty and is an industry I am passionate about. I was hired by P&G as a marketing specialist and from there, have been lucky to work with some of the top CPG companies in Canada including P&G, Kraft and now Mars for 10 years across a variety of roles (marketing/brand, sales, strategy, digital).
What do you like most about your job?
Currently, I am a category business manager at Mars Food & Nutrition, in a dual function role leading the e-commerce channel and our new Tasty Bite Indian Ready Meals brand. This has been one of my favourite roles to date, as it is a hybrid of sales and marketing. Both sides of the role stretch my development in different ways and keep me ever learning and growing.
What is a career challenge you've faced and how did you overcome it?
My first cross-functional move from marketing to sales strategy was, by far, my most challenging career assignment. Supporting a sales organization without direct selling experience was a humbling challenge. Quickly closing my learning gaps, actively listening to the needs of the team and setting clear expectations went a long way in building trust. I was fortunate to have the guidance and mentorship of Mars’ exceptional leadership, which played a key role in helping me grow and gain confidence. Identifying and leaning into the unique strengths I brought to the role allowed me to move beyond how things had been done and focus on the value I could deliver—ultimately helping to elevate the role in a new and different way.
Best career advice you've received?
“Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” Staying in our comfort zone can hold us back from embracing new challenges, leaning into tough conversations or voicing unpopular opinions. But, it’s precisely those moments that unlock our growth and potential.
Another piece of advice I live by—and a mindset that consistently guides me—is to lead with the Mars Five Principles: quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency and freedom. These aren’t just values on a wall, they’re practical tools for making decisions and developing as a leader.
Together, these two beliefs—embracing discomfort and living the principles—have shaped how I show up, lead and grow. They’ve encouraged me to take on roles I might have once overlooked but that have been instrumental in broadening my skillset. Those stretch experiences have open doors I wouldn’t have imagined if I’d only played it safe.
Proudest career achievement, so far?
At the beginning of my career, my goal was to follow the typical CPG marketing path. However, I’ve been lucky to have a very diverse journey that I believe has only strengthened my skillset and my personal brand. By focusing career moves on the learning experience, not the title, I have found myself in roles that were completely outside of my comfort zone, but that truly challenged me. Ultimately, this has made me a stronger and more well-rounded individual both personally and professionally and now allows me to bring a unique perspective to the table, which is something I am super proud of.
What is a fun fact about you?
Halfway through my career, I decided to go back to school and get my teaching degree. Although my intent was always to come back to CPG, I wanted to learn something new that I believed would strengthen my skill set in a different way. Getting my teaching degree has allowed me to become a better manager, coach, presenter and engager/influencer. If you can learn to get high school students engaged in subjects like accounting, engaging a team, leadership or a customer becomes that much easier.
Click here for the full list of 2025 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.