2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Leah Milne (Q&A)
Leah Milne
Director of Marketing: Baking, Spreads & Snacking
The J.M. Smucker Co.
How did you get your start in the CPG business?
I started in CPG right out of school and it’s truly the only industry I know! I did an internship with Smucker Foods of Canada during my MBA and after graduating, I returned as the assistant brand manager on spreads. I’ve been in marketing at Smucker ever since.
What do you like most about your job?
For me, it’s really the combination of leading people, shaping strategy and then seeing it come to life in market. I enjoy being in a role where I can define where the brand should go, what our priorities are and partnering to win with our grocery retailers. I also really value the people leadership side. Being able to coach and develop a team, help them think more strategically and support them through both wins and tough moments is a big part of what makes the role meaningful for me.
What is your leadership style?
Clear, accountable and people-first. I invest heavily in coaching and development. I spend time helping my team think more strategically and build their confidence. My goal is to develop well-rounded leaders who can create momentum; inspired by my own leaders. I also place a strong emphasis on accountability and ownership. I encourage my team to operate with a general management mindset—connecting their day-to-day decisions to broader business outcomes. I believe that creates both stronger results and stronger capability over time. Alongside that, I try to lead with a high degree of authenticity. I show up as myself and encourage my team to do the same—I think that builds trust and makes it easier to have honest, productive conversations. I intentionally use humour to keep things grounded. The work we do is important and often high-pressure, but I don’t believe it has to feel heavy all the time. Creating moments of levity helps the team stay engaged and balanced, especially during more intense periods.
Your proudest career moment?
One of my proudest career moments came from a pretty simple insight—an article about how many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches NBA players were eating. It sparked an idea, so I took a chance and made a cold-call to MLSE [Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment], which ended up leading to Smucker’s first sports partnership with the Toronto Raptors. From there, we were able to create culturally relevant content that actually got people talking. It’s since opened the door to more partnerships across sports and with athletes, but that first step—taking a small insight and turning it into something bigger—really stands out for me.
What excites you about the grocery business?
I’m a competitive person and grocery is one of the most dynamic and competitive environments to operate in. Grocers shape what millions of people eat every single day, and small swings can drive huge gains. You aren’t just selling products; you are shaping habits and routines. Every category is a battlefield and, to win you must find the perfect balance of creativity and analytics. Staying relevant means that you deeply understand the shopper and consumer.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
A lot of my time revolves around my six-year-old, who keeps life interesting; she’s full of personality, very energetic and constantly keeps me on my toes. We also really enjoy travelling, especially exploring new places—it’s a great way to reset and bring fresh perspective. Staying active is another big part of my routine, it helps me stay energized and balanced. And something that’s very meaningful to me is volunteering as a crisis responder with Kids Help Phone. It’s a very different kind of responsibility, but it’s incredibly grounding and gives me a strong sense of purpose outside of my day-to-day role.
Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.