2026 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Siobhan Juniku (Q&A)
Siobhan Juniku
Director, Communications
Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada
What do you like most about your job?
I love supporting an industry that has a direct impact on the everyday lives of Canadians, while also helping shape the narrative around issues people genuinely care about. Canadians want affordable, accessible products and a wide variety of choice, but the path to delivering that isn’t always straightforward. Between regulations, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, consumer habits and shifting public conversations, there’s a lot of nuance behind what can seem simple on the surface. I enjoy unpacking those complexities and telling the story behind them in a way that helps people understand the realities shaping the products they rely on every day.
Proudest career moment?
I feel the most pride in the moments when my team has had to go all-in and rise to the occasion together. Whether it was supporting the industry through the pandemic and ongoing trade uncertainty, launching new social channels and a brand-new website, or leading a campaign focused on affordability for Canadians during a federal election—those moments required creativity, trust and a willingness to move quickly and take risks. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside smart, talented people and help build campaigns and communications that positioned our industry as part of the solution.
What is your superpower?
I’m a working mom, so like many others, I’ve developed the ability to accomplish what feels like an impossible number of things in a very short timeframe while still maintaining a high standard and getting my kids to practice on time. I’m also very candid, sometimes to a fault, but over the years I’ve learned that transparency builds trust. That willingness to be open has helped me build strong relationships with colleagues and contribute to a team culture rooted in honesty, accountability and mutual support.
Best advice you’ve received?
As an eldest daughter blessed with what many Irish folk would call “the gift of the gab,” being quiet has never come naturally to me. One of the best lessons I learned came from a leader who taught me that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stay silent and play the long game. I have a strong sense of justice and a deep belief that change for the better is possible, but not every battle needs to be fought at the moment. Learning when to pause, listen and choose your timing strategically has been invaluable as I’ve grown in my career.
What is a career challenge you’ve faced?
Communications is a field where the more you know, the more valuable you become. Earlier in my career, working in smaller organizations gave me the opportunity to build a broad technical skill set, and that foundation continues to shape how I approach strategy today. But communications also evolves at an incredibly fast pace. Between emerging platforms, changing algorithms and the rapid rise of AI, one of the biggest challenges is not only keeping up with the pace of change, but also finding the right balance between embracing new tools and efficiencies while still protecting creativity, critical thinking and authentic human connection within the work.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Most of my hobbies now involve watching my kids enjoy theirs, and I’m firmly in my soccer-mom era. When I’m not on the sidelines of a pitch somewhere, I love gardening, baking and listening to podcasts that make me question everything I thought I knew. I’m an avid reader, love being outdoors and am really enjoying watching my three kids, ages five, 10, and 13, grow into informed and opinionated individuals.
Click here for the full list of 2026 Star Women in Grocery Award winners.