2025 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Jenn Kelly (Q&A)
Jenn Kelly
Senior Technical Project Manager
Loblaw
How did you get your start in grocery?
My career in the grocery business began unexpectedly as a customer at Shoppers Drug Mart. After learning of an opening from a cashier, I was hired and spent five years in-store. I later moved to Shoppers Central Office and started supporting our grocery business after the acquisition of Shoppers by Loblaw in 2014.
What keeps you passionate about your work?
My store-level experience gives me a deep understanding of the importance of delivering high-quality solutions that directly address the needs of our colleagues. The most rewarding aspect is receiving their feedback and using it to continuously improve our support, enabling them to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
What is a career challenge you've faced and how did you overcome it?
The biggest career challenge I’ve faced has been overcoming my own self-limiting beliefs. Upon missing out on opportunities, I realized I had created a “glass ceiling” for myself. To overcome this, I’ve been working with a mentor who challenges my limiting beliefs and has increased my self-confidence. I’m still growing, but I’ve already observed a significant positive change in my self-confidence and readiness to accept new challenges.
Best career advice you've received?
“Just because someone is quiet does not mean they don’t care or have valuable feedback.” I make a point of providing my quieter colleagues with opportunities to speak up and I ask louder voices to be mindful of dominating the conversation. Ultimately, my goal is to empower everyone on the team to share their ideas and contribute their unique perspectives.
What has been a career highlight, so far?
A significant career highlight was transitioning to a smaller team at the central office with significantly increased individual accountabilities. I quickly mastered new processes and systems and began regularly meeting with leadership. I’m proud of myself for successfully navigating that challenge, which allowed me to contribute more strategically and achieve not only project successes, but personal growth as well.
What is your leadership style?
I strive to lead with a collaborative and coaching style. I firmly believe the best solutions come from diverse perspectives, so I don’t expect any single person, including myself, to have all the answers. Instead, I focus on creating an environment where the team can collectively strategize and determine the best approach. I make a conscious effort to solicit input before sharing my own thoughts.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Travel is definitely a passion of mine! I recently had a deeply meaningful trip to Northern Ireland with my husband. It was an emotional experience to walk in my grandmother’s footsteps and connect with her history in such a tangible way. When I’m not travelling, I love to hike—being outdoors is incredibly restorative—and I’m always up for a good board game. It’s a great way to unwind and challenge myself in a different way.
What is a fun fact about you?
I am a planner at heart (some would call it obsessive)! I treat everything like a full-blown project, from vacation planning to Halloween. Seeing the adults' love for our displays is even more rewarding than the kids' excitement and makes my Halloween prop floor plans worth it!
Anything else you'd like to add?
I’m a strong believer in taking advantage of professional development opportunities, including networking events, sessions with experts and volunteering. Participating in diversity, equity & inclusion sessions have fostered both my professional and personal development. I’ve also met colleagues I wouldn’t have otherwise connected with, leading to a stronger sense of community within the company. I believe these experiences contribute to a more well-rounded and effective workforce.
Click here for the full list of 2025 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.