2025 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Liette Vigneault (Q&A)

Liette Vigneault

Senior Vice President, Human Capital and Communications
Agropur

How did you get your start in the CPG business?

I began my career in the CPG industry a little over two years ago at Agropur. My focus has always been on people, talent development and organizational transformation. While the CPG sector has its unique characteristics, at the end of the day, it's the people who drive success.

Before joining Agropur, I worked in retail, distribution and telecommunications. There are many similarities across these industries, particularly in terms of customer satisfaction and product quality, which are universally valued. These experiences have equipped me with a diverse skillset that I bring to the CPG industry, helping to foster a culture of excellence and performance.

Best career advice you've received?

Throughout my career, I've received a lot of advice because I strongly believe in learning from the experiences of others. One piece of advice I received early in my career and that I still use almost every day, both at work and in my personal life, is: “Things are never as good or as bad as they seem. Ask questions and trust your judgment.” Asking questions and showing interest in people helps me to understand issues thoroughly, identify opportunities, negotiate win-win outcomes, manage change and find the best solutions for everyone involved. This advice has been invaluable in guiding my decisions and interactions, ensuring I remain grounded and insightful in various situations.  

What's your superpower?

I don't know if it's a superpower, but one thing is for sure, I have a great ability to understand organizational dynamics and to create high-performing teams. Additionally, I am curious and always seek to push transformation further. This combination allows me to navigate complex environments, align diverse talents towards common goals, and foster a culture of collaboration and excellence.

What is your leadership philosophy?

There is a motto that has followed me for a long time: “People will not remember you for what you said, but rather for how you made them feel.” I believe my leadership style reflects this belief deeply. I provide every possible opportunity for my team members to develop and feel they can achieve their goals and spread their wings. I enjoy challenging my teams. For me, the best way to engage people is through action, by enabling them to execute what they do best day after day. I am patient with those who want to advance, and I strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

What is a career challenge you've faced? 

Given my role, the challenges faced by the organization inevitably impact the people, making them my challenges as well. I've encountered various situations such as downturns, closing facilities, labour shortages and more. One challenge that marked my career was the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a health crisis that, ultimately, became a human crisis. We had to redefine the concept of work and act quickly while considering long-term impacts and the needs of both the organization and the employees simultaneously. This challenge was particularly difficult because we had to navigate in the dark. Even today, the future of work remains in a state of perpetual transformation.

What do you like to do when you're not working?

I love engaging in renovation and interior design projects. I'm also an avid skier and a beginner golfer. I cherish both travelling around the world with my husband and spending time with my family, whether at our country home or on my sailboat.

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