2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Rebecca Lu (Q&A)

Rebecca Lu

Senior Director, Capital & Merchandise Planning
Loblaw Companies Ltd. 

How did you get your start in the grocery business? 

I started as a part-time cashier at my local No Frills while I was in high school. After graduating university, I took on a contract role on the No Frills team at Loblaw while figuring out how to make a career out of my science degree. Fourteen years later, I am grateful I chose this path. It has led to a career that continuously challenges and pushes me to grow, and my nine years working in the store gave me both the foundation and support system that opened many opportunities. 

Can you share your proudest career accomplishments? 

One of the most defining moments in my career was landing my first strategy and analytics role. Having no formal business training, this opportunity initially felt out of reach. Still, I chose to pursue the role with support and encouragement from peers and mentors, while being transparent about both my strengths and opportunity areas. That experience became a major turning point for me and gave me the confidence to continue reaching for more.

Describe a career challenge you faced and how you overcame it. 

One of the biggest challenges I faced was leading through change. I stepped into a new role with a vision to transform how the team could better support the business and add value and, naturally, there was some initial hesitation and apprehension. I learned quickly that successful change-leadership requires patience, empathy and transparent communication. By bringing the team along in the process, we created substantial improvements that delivered meaningful impact.

What keeps you passionate about your work?

This is something that has evolved over the course of my career. Early on, it was about learning new skills and finding ways to create efficiencies. Later, it became about seeing the impact my work had on the broader business. Today, what motivates me most is supporting the growth and development of my team and helping them achieve their potential.

Best advice you share with your mentees? 

Learn by observing others and staying open to different perspectives, but remember there is more than one way to succeed. Developing a style and approach that feels authentic to you will, ultimately, build confidence and long-term success.

What do you like to do outside of work? 

I enjoy staying active, especially exercising outdoors in the summer because it helps me reset mentally. I also love cooking and baking, as it gives me a creative outlet. Interestingly, the innovation and problem-solving elements involved are remarkably similar to the skills that have helped me succeed in my career. 

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