2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Kayley Krupica (Q&A)
Kayley Krupica
Head of Customer Strategy & Operations
Kenvue Canada
How did you get your start in the CPG business?
I began my career with Unilever 17 years ago as a retail sales representative, managing a territory in the Greater Toronto Area. At the time, the in-store decision was truly the ”moment of truth"—the point where a shopper decided what made it into their cart. Those early experiences gave me first-hand learning of Canadian retailers, categories and consumer behaviour, and grounded me in the importance of flawless execution and relevance at shelf. While that moment has now expanded far beyond the aisle, the discipline of earning consumer choice every day remains a principle that continues to shape how I approach my work today.
What is the best advice you’ve received?
The best advice I’ve received came from Rhonda Mitchell (VP of Sales, The Clorox Company and a former Star Women winner), who I had the privilege of working with for three years. It’s simple but incredibly grounding: your career is a long time. Early on, it’s easy to focus on what comes next, but I’ve learned that taking the time to build breadth of experience, explore different parts of the business and see challenges from multiple perspectives creates a much stronger foundation. That foundation enables you to become a more thoughtful, agile and well-rounded leader over the long term. There’s real value in allowing that journey to unfold—don't be in such a rush!
What is your leadership style/philosophy?
Early in my career, I participated in a purpose workshop that resulted in a personal purpose statement I still lead by today: bring humour and humanity to the pursuit of progress. I’m deeply motivated by driving better business results and coaching individuals to grow and develop—that pursuit of progress–but I believe how we get there matters just as much as the outcome. I strive to create environments where teams are challenged, supported and engaged, and where it’s OK to have some fun along the way. We can push for progress, hold high standards and deliver impact, while still remembering that we’re people first—with full lives outside the office. That balance of results, growth and humanity combined with a little bit of fun is the leadership philosophy I try to live every day.
What is a career challenge you’ve faced?
One of the most formative experiences in my career came when I joined a new organization and underestimated how much time and intention it would take to build rapport and trust from the ground up—something I hadn’t fully appreciated after spending more than a decade at one company. While I was confident in my experience and capabilities, I quickly learned that credibility isn’t transferable—it must be earned within each new environment. I became very intentional about listening first, understanding the culture and investing in relationships across teams and stakeholders. By consistently delivering value, following through on commitments and demonstrating a genuine investment in shared goals, trust built over time. That experience reshaped how I lead today and reinforced the importance of patience, empathy and authenticity when stepping into new roles or organizations.
What excites you about the grocery business?
The grocery industry is evolving faster than ever. The consumer path to purchase is collapsing, and choice is no longer limited to what’s available on the physical shelf. Shoppers are discovering and deciding on products across a growing number of touchpoints, which means many tried-and-true strategies need to evolve. That constant change is what excites me most. I never feel like I know it all—I’m a lifelong student of this industry, currently enrolled in a very demanding curriculum that includes “Advanced Digital Commerce” and “Intro to Agentic AI.”
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I love spending time outside with my wife and our two kids—our oldest being our rescue dog, Boo, and our newest (human) addition, Daphne. I’m also a big fan of board game nights—proof that even outside of work, I still gravitate toward strategy and healthy competition.
Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.