2025 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Marie-Eve Girard (Q&A)
Marie-Eve Girard
Senior Director, Commercial Strategy and Channel Development
Danone Canada
How did you get your start in the CPG business?
Before working at Danone, I occupied product management roles in the food supplement industry and then started my career with Danone in 2010 as an assistant brand manager. Joining Danone was a dream I had since university, because I believed in the growth potential of the yogurt category at that time. Over the past 15 years, I have had the opportunity to work in various roles within the company, continuously learning and growing through cross-functional moves. The fast-paced nature of the CPG industry aligns perfectly with my energy, making it an ideal fit for me. I am passionate about the industry and take great pride in being part of a people-oriented organization like Danone.
What is your superpower?
My superpower is my ability to rally people behind a common goal and break barriers to achieve what seems impossible. I thrive on putting people together and leading diverse teams to success. I am known for my enthusiasm and positive energy in everything I do, and this has allowed me to contribute significantly to long-term strategic visions while making an impact on short-term business results.
What do you like most about your job?
What I love most about my job is the continuous opportunities for learning and growth. Each role I've taken on has presented new challenges and allowed me to develop a diverse skillset. The dynamic nature of my work keeps me engaged and motivated, and I never experience the “Sunday blues” because I truly love what I do. Additionally, the collaborative environment and the chance to work with talented colleagues make every day exciting and fulfilling. As I advance in my career, I take immense pride in people’s development and seeing my team succeed. There is nothing more rewarding than mentoring and supporting my colleagues, helping them reach their full potential, and celebrating their achievements. This focus on team success not only enhances our collective performance, but also fosters a collaborative and empowering work environment.
Best advice you've received?
The best advice I've received is to stay curious, ask questions and try to understand different perspectives. This advice has unlocked numerous opportunities for me and has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth. Additionally, my father always emphasized the importance of confidence, self-pride and pursuing what I love. These guiding principles have not only shaped my career, but also helped me navigate challenges and seize opportunities with enthusiasm and resilience.
What is a career challenge you've faced?
One of the big challenges I faced in my career was transitioning from a decade-long tenure in the marketing function to a newly created role in enterprise strategy and transformation. After more than 10 years in marketing, I sought to broaden my horizons and grow through a cross-functional move. I was presented with the opportunity to shape a brand-new role in a newly established function. While creating a role from scratch posed significant challenges, I thrive in situations that push me out of my comfort zone. This experience allowed me to leverage my skills in new ways and contribute to the strategic direction of the organization. In my current commercial role, I feel I have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and insights I gained from my previous roles in marketing and strategy. By integrating these diverse experiences, I have been able to drive sales performance and contribute to the overall success of the organization.
What is a fun fact about you?
I was born and raised in Lac-Saint-Jean, a charming French-speaking region located about five hours' drive from Montreal. My name, Marie-Eve, can be a bit challenging to pronounce in English, so over time, I became known at work and teams by my initials (MEG).
Click here for the full list of 2025 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.