2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Kari-Lynn Solonik (Q&A)

Kari-Lynn Solonik

Customer Team Lead
Tree of Life Canada

How did you get your start in the grocery/CPG business? 

My entry into CPG began in fashion merchandise, but I quickly moved into the baby and juvenile space. It was an engaging category filled with “cute” products, but also one of the most rigorous environments I’ve worked in due to strict safety and compliance standards. That role gave me end-to-end exposure to the business and a strong foundation for what followed.

From there, I joined Tree of Life, where I discovered a passion for grocery and its complexity. It also aligned with my love of food and the opportunity to bring both domestic and international products to the Canadian market, creating greater choice and discovery for consumers. This role deepened my understanding of the full product lifecycle—from concept to the customer, who remains at the centre of everything we do. Each step has built on the last, shaping how I think about product, process and purpose in CPG.

Your best quality? 

I consider my greatest strength to be accountability, paired with a genuine eagerness to learn. I recognize that mistakes happen—no one is perfect—but I’m always the first to take ownership and address them directly. What sets me apart is how I approach those moments: I actively look for the opportunity within failure. I’m naturally curious, so I dig into what went wrong, identify ways to improve the process and keep refining until we get it right.

What kind of leader do you aspire to be?

I aspire to lead  with empathy, flexibility and trust. I understand that life happens, and when people feel supported, they’re more motivated to give their best. I also aim to foster a culture where failure isn’t feared but embraced as part of growth—and to encourage my team to take smart risks, share ideas and continuously improve.

Best advice received? 

The best advice I’ve received isn’t a single statement, but the day-to-day leadership of one of the best managers I’ve worked for in my current role. Their approach has shaped me more than anything else in my CPG career. What stands out is their unwavering trust in their team. From day one, the message has been consistent: back your people, give them space and trust their judgment. That level of confidence is powerful, and it’s something I deeply value and strive to emulate. They also stepped into a first-time leadership role with a team of all women and have led with authenticity, empathy and calm confidence. On challenging days, we’re given space to reset and reminded of our strengths, allowing us to move forward together. 

Proudest career moment? 

What stands out most is a moment of unexpected recognition. I didn’t set out looking for it; I simply show up each day with a positive attitude, give my full effort and bring genuine passion to every task and project.

I truly enjoy working in the grocery industry and always aim to do right by everyone I collaborate with, both internally and externally. Knowing this approach was noticed and valued made that moment especially meaningful—it’s an incredible feeling to have your everyday effort recognized.

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

I really value spending time with my beautiful, blended family and enjoying those everyday moments with my two daughters and stepson before they grow up too fast!

I’m also passionate about project cars and camping. I love working on cars—modifying them and making them my own. Right now, my ongoing projects include a lowered MK3 VW Cabrio and a ’98 OBS Chevy.

Camping is my reset—being outdoors, especially those cool, crisp mornings, is the perfect way to recharge and find balance from the busyness of everyday life.

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