2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Rishma Hudda (Q&A)

Rishma Hudda

Head of Human Resources 
General Mills Canada 

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

I spent the early part of my career at Loblaw Companies and quickly became a foodie. I later moved to PepsiCo Foods Canada, where I had the opportunity to shift to the vendor side after spending many years in the retail sector. I have now been at General Mills Canada for almost 10 years as the head of human resources and I still would say there is never a dull moment in this industry. We have to operate with a lot of agility to remain on top of current food and health trends so that we can effectively meet the changing needs of our consumers and customers. Being in the CPG industry also brings with it a certain sense of pride when you get to see your products on store shelves knowing all the ideating, planning and hard work it takes behind the scenes to bring them to life.

How would you describe your leadership style? 

I am generally known for being a very empathetic, authentic and transparent leader who is also not afraid to “tell it like it is,” no matter the topic. I spend a lot of time listening and talking to employees to really get to know them so I can best support them in their careers. I believe that taking the time to learn what employees value, what motivates them and what their career aspirations are is essential to any leadership role. I take the same approach when coaching senior leaders through complex business challenges. When you take the time to listen and understand the needs of your teams and leaders, you are better equipped to support them effectively.

How do you keep teams motivated and engaged at work? 

Listen. Be transparent. Involve them. Communicate clearly. Communicate often. At General Mills, we have so many different communication forums where we really take the time to listen to our employees—their ideas, their concerns, their feedback. Most importantly, we take action where we can, which helps to create a trusting environment. Building and maintaining a highly engaged team does not happen overnight and is not always an easy task. I truly believe that building a strong culture of engagement is the responsibility of everyone in the organization, not just senior leadership or HR. Our culture at General Mills is something I am very proud of as we have been through so much change over the years with lots of highs and lows. Through it all, our team remains truly committed to maintaining our incredible team culture of belonging, inclusion and fun.

How do you make tough decisions when there are no easy answers? 

I’ve always taken the approach of “being grounded in facts” as much as possible, but at the same time, being mindful and respectful of all the emotions that come with any tough decision that impacts employees. Being in HR, it is critical to balance the needs of employees with the needs of the business, which can often be tricky. I have found that communicating to employees with as much detail and rationale as possible really helps their understanding of tough calls, even if they don’t agree. Transparency, respect and empathy go a long way when you are communicating difficult messages. 

How do you spend your time outside of work? 

I’m passionate about interior design and home renovation projects, so I’m always looking for mini projects in my home that I can channel some energy and creativity into. My husband and I became empty nesters not too long ago, with both of our amazing adult children now living on their own. So, I hope to see a lot more travel in our future as well.

What’s a fun or interesting fact about you? 

I have a bit of an obsession with true crime documentaries and crime-based shows. Anything with the title Law and Order in it, you can bet I’ve watched it!  Probably even more than once. 

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