2025 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Katie Chan (Q&A)
Katie Chan
Director of Marketing, Food Basics
Metro
How did you get your start in the grocery business?
I am the type of person who thrives on staying busy—being engaged and productive motivates me to keep learning and growing. When I discovered the grocery business 12 years ago, I was immediately drawn to its dynamic nature. The constantly shifting demands and fast-paced environment mean no two days are ever the same, which keeps the work exciting and fulfilling.
What keeps you motivated at work?
The dynamic nature of the grocery business allows me to be involved in every stage of the process—from developing a marketing idea to executing it at the store level and receiving real-time feedback. This end-to-end involvement gives me a strong sense of fulfilment and continues to motivate me to strive for excellence.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career?
When I was promoted from an analyst to a manager early in my career. I was asked to step into a senior manager role immediately for someone who was on sudden medical leave. With no transition period and an urgent business need to address, I was faced with one of the most challenging moments of my career. Despite having limited knowledge in that area and little time to prepare, I had to lead a team to deliver on a critical business objective under a tight deadline. It was a demanding experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone, but also helped me grow significantly as a leader.
How did you overcome it?
The team met the business objectives thanks to our resilience, strong teamwork and shared determination to find solutions. Through trial and error, we continuously tested the system and stayed agile in our approach. By leveraging our connections with sister organizations, we gained valuable insights that helped us overcome the urgency of the situation. It was a true testament to the power of collaboration and adaptability.
What habits or mindsets have helped you stay resilient?
Having a growth mindset, a sense of fulfilment and a strong support network are key to helping me stay resilient. A growth mindset encourages me to embrace challenges, seek solutions and keep learning. Feeling a sense of fulfiment gives me motivation and pride in the work I do, which helps me stay focused during tough times. And having a reliable support network provides guidance, perspective and emotional encouragement when I need it most.
What career advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seeking support when needed is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of self-awareness and responsibility. Escalating issues appropriately shows respect for the business and your team, and it opens the door to learning and growth. It also ensures that business priorities are protected and challenges are addressed efficiently.
What is the best career advice you have ever received?
Your reputation is your personal brand—it reflects the core values and work attitude you bring to everything you do. Once you recognize your output carries your name, you naturally begin to approach your work with greater consistency and intention. If you want to be treated with respect, it starts by showing respect for the work you do. The way you show up—reliable, thoughtful and committed—shapes how others perceive and engage with you.
What is a fun fact about you?
Travelling is not just a hobby—it’s my main source of inspiration and motivation in life. So far, I’ve visited 15 countries and I’m eager to keep adding to that list. Travel brings excitement and fresh perspective to my everyday life. It allows me to experience different cultures, challenge my assumptions and realize there’s rarely just one way to approach life—there are many possibilities.
Click here for the full list of 2025 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.