2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Lily Wen (Q&A)

Lily Wen

Marketing Director, Beverages 
Nestlé Canada 

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

I started in qualitative research and gained valuable insight into various  CPGs. When I decided to pursue the client side, it was a coincidence/luck that a niche brand I chose to highlight in my cover letter happened to be the role that my first CPG company was hiring for. From there, I joined Nestlé Canada in ice cream. 

How do you make the most of role changes in your career? 

I consider the experience I will acquire and how they will contribute to my growth. Being curious and having a learning mindset, particularly for roles that are outside of my expertise, has broadened my skill set. 

Proudest career moment/accomplishment? 

I have held several new roles in the organization. Some leaned to championing change, others were stretching into new businesses. I am proud that the strategies I’ve created have stood the test of time and evolved into major businesses today. 

What kind of leader do you aspire to be? 

I aspire to be a clear leader who enables others to be their authentic selves while helping them grow in skill. 

What is a career challenge you’ve faced? 

Unconscious bias taught me the importance of advocating for myself professionally and demonstrating that different leadership styles can drive impact. It has shaped the kind of leader I aspire to be—someone who identifies unique qualities in individuals and creates an inclusive environment where people feel respected and recognized for their contributions.

What are you passionate about outside of work? 

I collect Air Jordan retro sneakers. I appreciate the cultural impact, design and the storytelling behind the brand. As a marketer, I admire how the brand creates meaning behind every “re-release.”

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