2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Diane Vallecorsa (Q&A)

Diane Vallecorsa

Store Manager
Longo’s Ponytrail

What was it about store operations specifically that called to you while you were working behind the scenes in HR?

What called me to store operations while I was working in HR was the connection to the people, the guest and the energy of the business itself. During my 22 years in HR, I had the opportunity to support many areas of the organization–store openings, recruitment, training, health and safety and team development. I truly enjoyed helping build strong teams and supporting leaders across the business. But what I loved most was being in the stores. I was energized by the pace, the teamwork, the interactions with guests and the day-to-day rigors of running a successful operation. I enjoyed seeing first-hand how strong leadership and engaged teams directly impacted the customer experience and the success of the business.

How does your background in payroll and HR policy help you run a more efficient or compassionate store today?

My background in payroll and HR has given me a strong foundation for leading with both accountability and empathy. Starting my career in payroll taught me the importance of accuracy, trust and accountability, while my years in HR gave me experience in recruitment, training, communication and supporting people through different situations. I understand that when team members feel valued, respected and supported, they are more engaged, deliver better service and contribute to stronger business overall.

What keeps you motivated at work?

What keeps me motivated is the people and the opportunity to make a positive impact every day. I enjoy developing teams, mentoring future leaders, and creating an environment where team members feel supported and proud of the work they do. Seeing them grow in confidence and advance in their careers is incredibly rewarding. I’m also motivated by the fast pace and constant evolution of the grocery business. Every day brings new challenges, opportunities to improve the guest experience and ways to support the community. After 35 years in the industry, I still genuinely enjoy the energy, teamwork and sense of purpose that comes with running a successful store. 

What does a typical day look like to you, and how do you prioritize your time?

A typical day for me starts as soon as I pull into the parking lot, looking at the store from the guest’s perspective–making sure the parking lot is clean, carts are available and the store is welcoming. When I come into the store, I walk every department, greeting the team and connect with them to understand their needs for the day, priorities or any challenges they may be facing. From there, my day can include supporting operations, coaching team members, reviewing financials, problem solving and ensuring we are delivering a strong guest experience. I prioritize my time by focusing on the areas that have the biggest impact on both our guest and our team. 

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge in my career came shortly after I was promoted to store manager at a downtown location. Just three weeks into the role, COVID-19 hit and everything I had learned over the years–from operations to guest experience, processes and SOP’s–had to be re-evaluated and adapted.

We were faced with significant uncertainty: reduced business, rapidly changing shopping behaviours, staffing shortages and the critical need to protect the safety of both guests and team members. It was a time that required me to shift my mindset completely and focus on leading though change rather than relying on past routines.

I overcame this by staying closely connected to my team, communicating openly and leading with patience and flexibility. We tried new approaches, learned quickly from what worked and what didn’t, and supported one another through constant change. It was a humbling experience that reinforced resilience, teamwork and adaptability. I learned that leadership in challenging times is not about having all the answers, but about staying steady, supporting your team and moving forward together even when the path is unclear.

What habits or mindsets have helped you stay resilient?

The mindset that has helped me stay resilient is staying humble, remaining willing to learn and staying passionate about business. I believe in “looking in the mirror” first–taking accountability, reflecting honestly on situations and understanding what I can improve as a leader. I also place strong value on listening to my team’s feedback. It keeps me grounded, challenges my thinking and ensures I’m leading with awareness of what’s really happening on the front line with both our team and guests.

What is the best career advice you have received?

The best career advice I ever received was to stay true to myself as a leader and understand that leadership is not about appeasing everyone–it’s about being respected and trusted. In a store environment, you make decisions every day that impact the team, the guests and the business; sometimes those decisions are not easy. Consistency, fairness, and leading by example are what truly builds credibility over time. 

What is a fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that when I visit other grocery stores as a customer, I sometimes catch myself straightening shelves, facing products or even starting to cull the produce department without thinking–and then I remember I’m not in my own store. It usually gets a laugh from whomever I’m with, because they’ll see me slip into ’store mode.’

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