2025 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Karrie Fox (Q&A)

Karrie Fox

Food Operations Manager
Calgary Co-op 

How did your career in the grocery industry begin?

My grocery career began when I was about seven years old. My dad was a store manager, and on Sundays—when the store was closed—he’d take us in to check on things. From those early visits, I was hooked. 

I officially started in 1986 as a wrapper. At the time, women were only allowed to pack groceries into bags; only the men could carry them out. We weren’t permitted to work in produce, meat or grocery—our roles were limited to bakery, deli, general merchandise, and health and beauty. We’ve come such a long way since then. From wrapper, I moved to cashier, then became a utility clerk in the bakery while attending school. Eventually, I became a cake decorator—a role I held and loved for 12 years. Each day brought joy and creativity.

That led to management positions: bakery manager, then bakery/deli manager, then assistant centre manager and finally centre manager. I truly thought I had reached the pinnacle of my career. But a new opportunity came along: a special projects role at head office. I helped launch our app and led initiatives around staff and member engagement. That path led me to where I am today.

Proudest career accomplishment?

I recently led the successful launch of an app designed for both members and staff, achieving a 97% staff adoption rate and onboarding nearly 175,000 users. I oversaw a cross-functional team at all levels of the organization, collaborating to develop and implement training materials, standard operating procedures and store-level execution strategies across all lines of business.

Key to our success was a strong focus on team engagement and generating excitement around the app for both staff and members. As a result of our efforts, our strategies and learnings have now been adopted by one of our subsidiary companies. This initiative challenged me to expand my skillset, refine my leadership capabilities and manage change at a large scale—skills I look forward to building on in future projects.

How would you describe your leadership style? 

I’m an enthusiastic go-getter, relentless when it comes to getting things done. I’m constantly focused on the team—how we grow, develop and rise together. I believe learning is a two-way street; we all have something to teach and something to learn. I lead with both passion and compassion, always striving to treat people fairly and consider all perspectives.

Can you share a recent challenge you faced in your role and how you addressed it? 

Stepping into this new role has brought a unique set of challenges, making each day feel like a fresh adventure. Coming off the bench to coach in the field means navigating uncharted territory daily—but that's also where the growth happens. Interacting with the public and truly understanding the needs of our members is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. When everything aligns just right, and you’re able to brighten someone’s day, it’s a reminder of why we do what we do. 

The same goes for our teams—when we’re motivated and aligned, we can achieve remarkable things together. The reality is the landscape is constantly shifting. Success depends on our ability to stay nimble, adapt quickly and face each new challenge with purpose and positivity.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work? 

I have a rich and joyful life centred around family, cherished memories and a love for Disney magic. If you ever want help organizing Disney memorabilia, planning a Disneyland trip or even finding a good book or show, I’m happy to help. I also have a true love for animals, especially cats. There is nothing better after a hard day than a kitty cuddle.

Anything else you’d like to share? 

I’ve come to realize that some of the most meaningful accomplishments don’t come with awards or recognition. They happen in the quiet, unexpected moments—when someone reaches out to say you changed their life, improved their work or simply listened when they needed it most. So much of what we do in this role isn’t about money or titles; it’s about impact. And often, those intangible contributions are the most valuable of all.

Click here for the full list of 2025 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.