2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Mylène Dupéré (Q&A)

Mylène Dupéré

Vice-President, Communications and Alignment
Agropur

What do you like most about your job?

There are many things I like about my job, but what I enjoy most is empowering our team of communicators to find the most effective ways to deliver our messages. It starts with how Agropur is unique. We're a co-op, we're owned by dairy farmers, and in everything we do we contribute to smaller communities and have a real impact. It extends to the challenges that come with communication, such as determining how to explain business decisions in a manner that makes the most sense to people. I have a strong team that offers a diversity of perspectives. Everyone is engaged and has something to contribute. It’s satisfying to see how, when we put our minds together, we can find the best means to explain a situation or communicate an important message.

How did you get your start in the CPG business? 

This is my first experience in the food industry, and it’s been rewarding because you’re speaking to people from a place that is part of their daily lives. I recently had lunch with a colleague and was speaking to the server who asked where I worked. I told her I have the best job because I work in cheese. She smiled and said, ‘Oh yeah, that is the perfect job!’ People enjoy our products and we’re positively impacting their lives through quality nutrition. 

What is your proudest career moment?

My proudest career moment came in building a truly exceptional communications team. When I arrived at Agropur, the team was very small, and, over time, I had the opportunity to bring together an incredible group of experts and strategically align their talents. I was able to build full external and internal communications teams and we are able to look at communication in a true 360-degree way. With the right people around the table, we can think holistically about every audience: employees, members and customers. What makes me especially proud is the diversity within the team. They come from different professional backgrounds, age groups and perspectives. Everyone brings something valuable to the discussion, and it’s because we are different that we are stronger. There’s pride in seeing that expertise in action every day.

What is the best advice you’ve received?

It’s easy to forget that communication is a two-way exchange, so I would say the best advice I’ve received is simply to listen. I am naturally passionate, and as someone who works in communications, I love to talk. Expressing ideas, telling stories and sharing perspectives comes easily to me. But when you take the time to genuinely listen, you gain so much more. You’re able to learn more from other people’s expertise and catch nuances you might have otherwise missed. You also build stronger, more meaningful connections. Listening allows you to tailor your message, develop stronger communication strategies and offer better advice. It’s all connected: listening strengthens understanding and understanding improves collaboration. Collaboration leads to better outcomes for everyone. 

What is a career challenge you've faced?

Making the transition from the public sector into corporate communications. Earlier in my career, I worked in public service and as a political staffer. In these roles, everything you do is driven by a single mission—serving the public good and the broader community. Moving into the corporate environment was a significant shift. My audience changed, my context changed and the purpose behind communication felt different. It required a mindset adjustment, though working for a co-operative helped to bridge that gap. A co-op is still very much about serving people, most notably our members. While the audiences and objectives differ, the underlying responsibility to act with integrity and purpose remains. Navigating that transition forced me to grow, adapt and redefine how I deliver value. It was challenging, but it reshaped my perspective and made me a more versatile and effective communicator.

What are you passionate about outside of work?

I have many hobbies and interests, though I think the common thread is pushing myself to go further. I’m passionate about anything that helps me stay active, curious and constantly growing. Sports play a big role in my life, and particularly endurance sports. I’ve always been drawn to activities such as running and triathlon and, more recently, I discovered a passion for diving. Being active and staying healthy is important to me, but what really motivates me is the mindset. I’m not competing against others; I’m competing with myself. What matters most to me isn’t my position in a race, but whether I’ve pushed myself or surpassed my personal goal. I enjoy the preparation. The journey is what truly fuels me. That same mindset carries over into my other passions, particularly reading and learning. I love books: business books, books for fun, anything that helps me see things differently. When I train, I often listen to podcasts because I’m always eager to learn more. I’m passionate about challenging myself to get better every day. 

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