For many years, Heather Ray was the only woman in the C-suite at her job. But in the 15 years she’s been at Mark Anthony Group, Ray has tried to set an example in the male-dominated beverage industry. “No matter whether I’m a manager, a director or at a different level, I have a role to play in helping support other women to see what’s possible,” she says.
The Vancouver-headquartered Mark Anthony Group is a diverse international collection of notable beverage brands, including estate wineries like Mission Hill, cooler brands like White Claw Hard Seltzer and spirits producers like Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers.
As chief transformation and people officer, Ray oversees the company’s people and organization strategy (think: communications and human resources), digital transformation and large-scale operational change.
Ray has been pivotal in supporting the company’s growth and employee transition. Since starting in 2011, she’s helped facilitate Mark Anthony Group’s expansion from roughly 600 employees to over 2,500 worldwide. Ray’s team has led the integration of nine acquisitions, reaching into the U.S., U.K., Ireland and Australia. They’ve launched new products in record time, built two U.S. plants during COVID and grown brands such as Olé Cocktails.
“One thing that has stuck with me is the power of seeing our people and team members as an absolutely integral stakeholder to accomplishing our strategy,” says Ray. “How do we focus, rally, set the vision and align every piece of the organization? Right people, right roles, right plans.”
Ray has also been a proponent of fostering an inclusive workplace. Over 10 years ago, she started including women’s leadership panels at the company’s national conference. Under her tenure, the company has increased female representation from 41 to 61 percent in Canada, and, in the last year, overall female representation in senior leadership has grown by 5 percent to reach 37 percent. “I’m by far not the only one anymore,” she says. “And I’m incredibly proud of that.”
Looking ahead, Ray wants to continue advancing women in leadership and supporting managers in their leadership development. The goal is “creating that environment where we’re lifting everybody up, providing opportunity and just being humans about it,” she says. “I think I lead with authenticity in my heart, and that seems to really resonate.”
What is your most-used app?
WhatsApp or Apple Music.
Which brand are you currently obsessed with?
Glendalough Wild Botanical Gin from Ireland.
Which word do you tend to overuse?
“Probably ‘culture.’”
