March 8 is International Women's Day. It’s a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It’s also a time to raise awareness of the progress made towards achieving gender equality and the work remaining to be done.

Red River Co-op is proud to celebrate International Women’s Day, and blessed to have a team of talented women working for us. Here are some stats about our workforce:

55% of our workforce is female
54% of our management team is female
40% of our executive team is female
43% of our board of directors are female

We’re also proud to highlight some of our female employees and share their stories with you:

Cindy Waytiuk Director of Development

What has your career path been?

I started working in the retail food business when I was 16. I worked many jobs including produce, cashier, cash office, floral, bakery, and then eventually management positions. I was an assistant manager when Co-op purchased our stores. Soon after, I was promoted to a store manager position.

I absolutely loved and enjoyed my position as a store manager, but I found myself wanting more. I started helping out in the rural stores with operations, while still managing my store. I did this for a while, but then my store was starting a major remodel, so I had to dedicate all of my time to my store. COVID hit us right when my renovation was beginning, so it added to the day-to-day challenges of a renovation. After my renovation was complete, I was promoted to project manager for the food and pharmacy division. I held this position for just over a year and then was promoted to my current position as director of development. Every day is filled with learning, and I absolutely enjoy the challenges that this position brings to me.

Why have you chosen to work in this industry?

It started as my "first job," and I never once thought that I would still be working in the retail food industry almost 30 years later. I truly enjoy my job and my coworkers though, which is what keeps me here.

What is your current role like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?

My current role is very new to me, so every single day I am learning. I love the challenge it brings to me.

What does an average week look like for you?

Every week is different. It depends on where we are at on convenience store ID upgrades, food store remodels, planning of new projects etc.

What are your career aspirations?

I am very happy in my current position. It has only been six months in this position, so I have a lot to learn still.
What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this carer? What type of person do you need to be?
Excellent organization, good communication, and the ability to multitask and change priorities throughout the day.
What is the best advice you have for someone wanting to start a career in this industry?
The sky is the limit. There is so many opportunities to move up within Red River Co-op, so you can truly make it more than a job. It can be a good career for life!

Roberta Swidinsky Grocery Manager

What has your career path been?

Started at FCL's Marketplace in North Kildonan in 2009. I worked throughout high school and college, and when my art career goal fell through I decided to step up at my grocery store job and started taking on more roles like file maintenance clerk, receiver, dairy clerk, and person-in-charge. I look back very fondly at this time as I had a BLAST when working! Eventually I took on my first managerial role as grocery manager at the Selkirk Marketplace. After Red River purchased the Marketplace stores, I went to the St. Vital store as the front end manager, but eventually came back to my love for grocery and am now at Lorette as the grocery manager

Why have you chosen to work in this industry?

I genuinely love working grocery and have a lot of fun making displays and cleaning up back rooms. I prefer this over a desk job as it always keeps me moving.

What is your current role like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?

I enjoy my current role at Lorette as I have a good team to work with and I am proud of the work I am doing here.
What are your career aspirations?

I hugely enjoy being a grocery manager, but perhaps one day I will step up into a store manager role! Or I'll win the lottery and step down to be a part time night crew worker, either is good. ;)

What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this carer? What type of person do you need to be?

Being organized has helped me immensely. You also need to be open to criticism, be firm but fair with staff, and have the ability to switch between "boss" hat and "coworker" hat with some of your employees.

Lynn Monk Bakery Manager

What has your career path been?

When I was 16 I started at the local Co-op in my hometown of Killarney in the deli/bakery, working there as a baker. Once I moved to Winnipeg for university, I got on with Red River Co-op in 2017, starting in Southdale’s deli. I transferred into bakery, as that was where my passion was, and started as a decorator and bakery clerk. Within three years with Red River Co-op, I moved up from clerk, to scratch baker, to second in command in Southdale, then transferred to St. Vital as the journeyperson baker, and then got a Bakery Manager position opening Red River Co-op at St Norbert! 2023 marks 10 years for me in the Co-operative Retailing System, and I have loved it!

Why have you chosen to work in this industry?

The fast pace environment is one I thrive in. I love the bakery department because it is demanding in many ways - creativity, customer service, quick thinking, and of course a good way to get my daily steps in with the hustle!
What is your current role like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?
Being a manager has been great because not only do I get to learn a lot every day and grow with the company, but I get to teach new and experienced employees new things, and even co-workers! This career path has been nothing but ups for me, and the path is endless! I am proud of the work I put into my department with my team!

What does an average week look like for you?

My weeks are never the same - which is actually what makes this job entertaining! I spend a lot of time in my department packaging, decorating, and baking. Once I am done in the department, it is upstairs to catch up on bookwork and any other meetings or calls I have! The week brings in new challenges, new production, and new goals within the bakery department to keep me busy.

What are your career aspirations?

I want to see where this career takes me. I see myself spending my entire working life with this company, so let's see how far up I can go before retirement!

What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this carer? What type of person do you need to be?

To be a manager in retail, I think you have to be a driven person. It is a lot of work, but it is rewarding at the end of the day for sure! People skills are key, as you work with different people and deal with customers a lot. If you have those two skills, they will bring you to success!

What is the best advice you have for someone wanting to start a career in this industry?

HARD WORK PAYS OFF! You have to put the work in to learn all you need for success in management. The more you learn and take on early, the better off you are once you get into management! In my early days with Red River Co-op, I constantly was asking to learn how to order, how to do schedules, what else I could be doing to help my manager - and quickly with that, it unlocked the key to moving up. When I did get my first management position, I felt confident and ready, as it was stuff I had already taken on! My hard work put me onto a successful path.

Nancy Lavallee Member Services Supervisor

What has your career path been?

Working in the Red River Co-op Head Office

Why have you chosen to work in this industry?

I like the variety of jobs an office environment provides.

What is your current role like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?

My job is to make sure the equity the member earns is being processed correctly. I need to come here every morning to finish the work that I didn't get done the day before. I also have an agreement with the bank to pay my bills 😉

What does an average week look like for you?

Get up, go to work, make the members happy, repeat!

What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this carer? What type of person do you need to be?

Treat people the way you wish to be treated. Patience is definitely an asset. Enjoy what you do.

What is the best advice you have for someone wanting to start a career in this industry?

The Co-op is a way of life. People working together to help each other. They have always been like family. Gotta love them.
 

Katelynne Riehl Assistant Grocery Manager

What has your career path been?

I started out as a cashier for Staples Business Depot, to get job experience. After that I applied and was hired as a cashier/grocery clerk for Beausejour Co-op. By chance, I moved to Winnipeg in 2014, right as the Red River Co-op grocery stores opened their doors. I applied for a job at the Grant Park location and was working by the end of that very week. Within the first few months there, I’d been trained in cash office, customer service and file maintenance.

I’d done that for many years and became bored. I didn’t feel there was advancement for me. I didn’t believe in myself. So, I decided to attend college. Fast forward some time and I managed to graduate with top honours and was awarded Student of the Year at Herzing College.
I had newfound confidence. Then, my manager at the time approached me at random and asked if I’d like to be a Person in Charge. I was very surprised but happily accepted the offer. Within a year I was Assistant Grocery Manager.

I have since completed the Elevate Management Development Program. I have learned a lot and am excited to learn more.

Why have you chosen to work in this industry?

For a long time I didn’t think I’d wanted to be part of this industry, but after challenging myself and moving outside my comfort zone I’ve found myself enjoying the challenges of my current role. I feel as though I’ve found my place in this world where I am, so to speak.
What is your current role like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?
For me it’s the people I work with. I have seen just about every situation happen and what really drives me is the support my role allows me to provide to my teammates.

I find a lot of motivation in being involved in making decisions around the store and seeing my ideas be implemented and come to fruition. Seeing failure and success for me is motivating. I learn something either way as long as I accept the lessons my failures are trying to teach me.

What does an average week look like for you?

Average week for me in my current role includes a bit of everything. It’s difficult to get bored. I manage the Local department in the store I work at, and I devote a fair bit of time to that. I have a nice balance of computer-based work and hands on work as well as team building. I will do a fair amount of communicating/planning with local vendors.

What are your career aspirations?

At this point, I’m excited to see where life takes me. Opportunities that aren’t there today could be there tomorrow. We don’t know what’s ahead. But, the company is growing; and with growth comes opportunities. I definitely aspire to become a grocery manager. Beyond that, the sky’s the limit.

What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this carer? What type of person do you need to be?

Strong people skills are important. You must learn to communicate with a vast array of different personalities. People from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. While this industry is obviously about making money, you need to be able to lead a team of strong individuals if you want to succeed. Without your team, you won’t accomplish much and the stronger your team is, the more you will collectively conquer. I try to use my people skills to empower others, and help others see their greater potential.

What is the best advice you have for someone wanting to start a career in this industry?

Best advice I have is: don’t sell yourself short. I spent a decade working a job that I’d long perfected and grew out of. I didn’t even consider seeking advancement within the company because I didn’t think I had what it took. I was selling myself short. And in hindsight, I could have done a lot more with my time had I believed in myself. However, with experience and the right people around me, I was able to grow beyond that mindset. I’ve grown immensely in the past few years. Moral of the story is: believe in yourself.
 

Trista Lundquist Creative & Marketing Specialist

What has your career path been?

Graphic Designer > Digital Marketing & Production Coordinator --> Creative & Marketing Specialist

Why have you chosen to work in this industry?

I started off working as a graphic designer (I have a graphic design diploma from Red River College), a career that allowed me to essentially "be an artist and still make money." I've always been someone who enjoys diversity with my work so my role as a designer at my past job grew to include creative writing (I also have my BA with an English major from U of M), then marketing, then social media. It was at that time almost 5 years ago, that I saw the posting at Red River Co-op and had to apply as it allowed me to continue to work in all these different avenues.

What is your current role like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?

Busy. I wear a lot of hats. I'd argue that having to gets my kids on the bus gets me out of bed in the morning, but what excites me about actually coming into work is finding out what new fires I have to put out. I say that in the sincerest way. I enjoy being a creative problem solver so knowing that my day will never be boring or the same is very appealing to me.

What does an average week look like for you?

Every day is different. Scheduling and monitoring our social media accounts, working on internal and external design projects, communicating between all our different streams on marketing campaigns, taking/editing photos, meetings, emails... never a dull moment.

What are your career aspirations?

Creative Director. I'm also in the midst of publishing a novel.

What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this carer? What type of person do you need to be?

I guess it depends what part of my job we're talking about. To be successful when dealing with social media involves growing a thick skin and also figuring out a corporate voice and sticking with that. To succeed as a graphic designer you need to be adaptable while remaining innovative. It's a tough balance sometimes. To succeed in marketing you need to be willing to think outside the box and take risks, but also look at past results and understand what works and what doesn't.

What is the best advice you have for someone wanting to start a career in this industry?

Red River College has an incredible graphic design program and it's a great starting point. What's really cool is seeing how all my former classmates have evolved in their careers - an art director for movies, a fashion designer, a tattoo artist, a motion graphics expert, to name a few. Of course, many of them are working as graphic designers, but even in that position there are a wide range of opportunities from studios, corporate positions, etc.

Kelly Romas Director of Marketing

What has your career path been?

I started in out in the non-profit arts sector and a desire for new challenges led me to Red River Co-op.

Why have you chosen to work in this industry?

I feel fulfilled working for a co-operative that is truly local. It's invested in offering good jobs, giving back to communities and sharing profits with member-owners.

What is your current role like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?

My current role is robust! Overseeing both the marketing and community investment initiatives with a great team is what gets me out of bed in the morning.

What is the best advice you have for someone wanting to start a career in this industry?

Work hard. Say yes more than you say no. But also prioritize and manage the time and resources you have at your disposal. Always keep learning! Ask questions and listen to understand.

Kyla Toms Energy Sales Coordinator Analyst

What has your career path been?

Pump attendant to the office, to VP of Energy one day!

Why have you chosen to work in this industry?

I started very young as an attendant. My path got fuzzy for a few years when I started working in the food store as the receiver but ultimately my life path and decisions were made for me by fate.

What is your current role like? What about it makes you want to get up in the morning?

Hectic is the only way I can describe my role. I am currently managing a gas bar and working as the energy sales coordinator so life is eventful. It’s the people that get me up in the morning and keep me going! Our staff, customers, and agency operators make this job fun!

What does an average week look like for you?

An average week consists of half my time spent managing the Selkirk gas bar, and half working my energy sales position. Running the store means a bunch of paperwork and then I could be pumping gas, writing an order, working an order, running a till or working in our carwash store. The other half of the week could be filled with filling out reports on the computer, going to different stores and helping with planograms.

What are your career aspirations?

My main goal (and I have made no secret of it) is to sit in the VP of energy chair one day as the new VP (not just to warm the chair).

What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this carer? What type of person do you need to be?

Personally, I think you definitely need a sense of humor and to learn that not everything is within your control. We work in a very-face paced environment and things don't always go to plan, the more you learn to laugh and handle things as they come the easier the jobs seem.

What is the best advice you have for someone wanting to start a career in this industry?

Do it! My best advice would be “try it and ask lots of questions.” We have such an amazing support team that nothing is impossible within this company so try anything, but try it with your heart in it and you can go very far!