2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Audrey Marcotte (Q&A)

Audrey Marcotte

Senior Performance Manager – Customer Development
Unilever Canada 

How did you get your start in the CPG business?

I began my career in IT, back when Wi-Fi wasn’t even a thing. I quickly realized it wasn’t the path I wanted long term, which led me to pivot into CPG with formative years at L’Oréal, where I discovered an industry that immediately felt dynamic, inspiring and full of possibilities. Fast forward to today, and I am as energized as ever. CPG is an industry where the pace is fast, change is constant and multilayered and forces are both external and internal. This dynamic complexity is what keeps me here

What do you like most about your job?

I sit between strategy and execution, connecting the dots across functions and turning ambition into action. I operate both at the leadership level and close to teams and execution, which keeps me energized and grounded in real business challenges. The role is dynamic and ever evolving, with no clear playbook, which plays to my strengths in adaptability, problem solving and influence. I have been described as a fixer or a Swiss Army knife, and I genuinely take that as a badge of honour. I find it rewarding to step into ambiguity, be the person people trust to figure things out, and help move the business forward when and where it matters most.

What kind of leader do you aspire to be?

I aspire to be a leader who helps people lift their eyes from the present moment, see what is possible for them and build awareness of the unknowns ahead, recognizing that while we cannot predict everything, change continually fuels ambition and creates space for growth and evolution. From there, the conversation becomes very actionable, focusing on the choices, behaviours and awareness needed today to get there. More broadly, I hope people would say I am authentic, caring, supportive, imperfect but open to listening and evolving, true to my word and enjoyable to work with.

Proudest career moment?

I am most proud of the overall journey. It reflects deliberate choices, opportunities, continuous growth, wins and setbacks, but a consistent commitment to high standards. I take pride in having learned from outstanding leaders, women and men, in trusting their guidance during moments of self-doubt, and in intentionally showing up to perform at every stage of my career. If I allow myself one milestone, this award may become a meaningful marker in that journey, and one I will carry proudly as it comes from my peers.

What keeps you passionate about your work? 

It is about the people and my impact. When I think about Monday mornings, I think about the people I will support, the ones I will inspire and who will inspire me in return, and those who will challenge me to think differently and grow. I think about teammates I will call just to say hello, and about the many people impacted by the decisions we make. My role is centred on performance and governance, but I try never to forget that behind every strategy, process or decision are real people, and our goal is to move forward and win together.

What is a fun fact about you?

I started Latin dancing on a complete whim, despite having never danced before. My teacher said before my very first step, “If you can walk, you can dance.” A year or so later (and after many lessons, sore feet,and a lot of practice), I found myself performing on stage at one of the world’s most renowned salsa congresses. I was definitely not the best dancer, but what a fun and formative experience! To this day, it remains one of my favourite reminders that when you decide to go for something and put in the work, surprising things can happen.

Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.