In this episode of Impact Stories, host Lisa Genovese chats with Reid Stinson, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager at Neal Brothers Brands and Jonluca Neal, about what it takes to build not one, but two distinct brands in Canada’s competitive CPG landscape.

From launching creative brand activations to staying ahead of grocery tech trends, Reid offers a behind-the-scenes look at how his team is reimagining food and beverage marketing, one campaign at a time.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• How Neal Brothers leveraged a bold Pickleball Canada partnership to drive national awareness through an unexpected cultural moment.

• Why in-person, experiential marketing is making a powerful comeback, and how Reid measures its impact on brand equity.

• How curiosity and trendspotting keep both product and distribution arms of the business agile, relevant, and top-of-mind for retailers and consumers alike.

Whether you're a brand marketer, a CPG founder, or just curious about what it takes to stand out in-store and on shelf, Reid’s approach is filled with creative, practical insight.

In this episode of Impact Stories, host Lisa Genovese sits down with Monica Turcotte, Director of Marketing at Ignite Technology, to explore how strategic leadership, clear processes, and a thoughtful approach to AI are helping her team stay grounded, while everything around them accelerates.

With experience leading national marketing teams across retail and tech, Monica shares what it takes to scale with intention, align stakeholders, and keep messaging sharp in an industry that evolves by the minute.

You’ll take away:

• How AI can serve as a strategic challenger, not a replacement, for creative and message testing

• Why structured internal processes are Monica’s secret to agility and focus in fast-paced environments

• • What empathetic leadership looks like when you’re managing change, growth, and distributed teams

  If you’re leading a marketing team, rolling out new tools, or trying to keep strategy on track amid shifting priorities, this episode is packed with insight and grounded advice.

In this episode of Impact Stories, host Lisa Genovese sits down with Kevin Kwan, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Desert Senita Community Health Centers, to unpack how entrepreneurial grit and people-first strategy can create powerful change—even in one of the most complex sectors: healthcare.

Drawing from over 15 years as a business owner and coach, Kevin shares how his hands-on approach to leadership, audience research, and direct-response marketing is reshaping how healthcare connects with rural communities.

In this episode, we explore:
💡 Kevin’s journey from entrepreneur and gym owner to nonprofit marketing leader—and what he brought with him along the way.
💡 His process for building trust in healthcare through authentic connection, plain language copy, and community outreach.
💡 How deep audience insight and cross-functional accountability led to a 26x ROI campaign that launched a brand-new dental service.

Whether you’re in healthcare, nonprofit, or simply passionate about marketing that actually works, Kevin’s perspective will leave you thinking differently about what it takes to lead with impact.

In this episode of Impact Stories, host Lisa Genovese sits down with Kristina Plank, Marketing Manager at Excel Homes, to explore her dynamic career in real estate and consumer marketing. From navigating the fast-paced real estate industry to spearheading transformative campaigns, Kristina’s journey highlights adaptability, creativity, and leadership.

In this episode, we explore:
💡 Kristina’s path from hospitality and tourism marketing to leading impactful strategies in the homebuilding industry.
💡 How she navigates the challenges of the ever-evolving real estate market, including major disruptions like COVID-19.
💡 Her bold approach to brand storytelling, including a highly successful anniversary campaign that redefined Excel Homes’ presence in the market.

In this episode of Impact Stories, host Lisa Genovese sits down with Kelly Palmer, Communications Manager at Enfinite, to uncover her inspiring journey through diverse industries and her role in advancing sustainability initiatives. From building her career across marketing, branding, and ESG to managing large-scale projects, Kelly’s story is a testament to resilience and creativity.

In this episode, we explore:
💡 Kelly’s non-linear career path, from beauty and energy to becoming a one-person marketing department at Enfinite.
💡 How her personal values drive her passion for authentic marketing and ESG initiatives.
💡 Strategies to avoid greenwashing while maintaining transparency and credibility in sustainability efforts.
💡 The challenges and rewards of leading major projects, like Enfinite’s comprehensive website redesign.
💡 Practical advice for marketing professionals balancing limited resources with ambitious goals.

Whether you’re a marketer navigating sustainability, a leader in ESG, or a professional wearing many hats, this episode offers valuable lessons on turning passion into impactful marketing.

In this episode of Impact Stories, host Lisa Genovese sits down with Darren Contardo, CEO of SP Nutraceuticals, whose career has spanned some of the most dynamic and challenging spaces in marketing. From transforming SlimFast during its turnaround to pioneering brand growth in the cannabis and nutraceutical industries, Darren’s journey is packed with bold moves and innovative strategies.

In this episode, we explore:
💡 Darren’s unique career path, beginning with his passion for nutrition and marketing and leading to major roles across multiple industries.
💡 His approach to revitalizing brand equity and the daring decisions that helped him build brand loyalty with large-scale retailers like Walmart.
💡 The importance of “speeder-ship”—acting fast and innovating continually to stay competitive in high-demand markets.
💡 How he tailored his strategies to navigate highly regulated environments, from nutraceuticals to cannabis.
💡 Darren’s view on leveraging market research and staying tuned to emerging trends to drive impactful brand positioning.

Whether you’re a marketing professional, a leader in a high-growth industry, or someone looking to make fearless moves in their career, this episode delivers powerful insights into what it takes to make a lasting impact.

In this episode of Impact Stories, host Lisa Genovese interviews Saira Hayat, a seasoned marketing professional with an impressive journey from Reckitt to her current role at Haleon (Sensodyne). Saira shares her insights into building a successful marketing career, emphasizing the value of aiming high, learning from fear, and fostering trust in professional relationships.

In this episode, we explore:
▶ Saira’s career progression and the pivotal moments that shaped her expertise, from working with global brands to managing large-scale media budgets.
▶ The value of mentorship, learning styles, and how to stay on top of a fast-evolving marketing landscape.
▶ Her commitment to DEI and how creating inclusive environments improves marketing and customer understanding.
▶ Insights on taking a career break with intention and how it can lead to renewed focus and growth.
▶ Saira’s advice on leveraging AI as an ally in marketing and her take on prioritizing business objectives when managing budgets

Whether you’re a marketing leader, a DEI advocate, or someone curious about career growth in today’s dynamic marketing world, this episode offers invaluable insights. Don’t miss Saira’s inspiring story and her practical advice for making an impact in marketing.

In this episode of Impact Stories, host Lisa Genovese interviews Jennifer Muller, VP of Sales, Marketing, and Culture at Reid’s Heritage Homes. Jennifer shares her journey from real estate finance to leading marketing and cultural initiatives in the home building industry, highlighting the importance of consistency between internal values and external messaging.

In this episode, we explore:
▶ Jennifer’s career journey from real estate finance to custom home building and her evolution into a leadership role at Reid’s Heritage Homes
▶ The significance of aligning company culture with marketing to ensure authenticity and connection
▶ How Reid’s Heritage Homes is navigating tough market conditions by shifting perspectives and focusing on value, even when customers aren’t ready to buy
▶ Jennifer’s “plan to fail” approach, which helps her team proactively address challenges and seize opportunities
▶ Insights into Reid’s recent rebrand, from a dramatic company-wide unveiling to a unified rollout across over 60 locations, vehicles, and billboards

Whether you’re a marketer, leader, or someone looking for ways to drive impact in challenging times, this episode offers valuable lessons on clarity, resilience, and strategic thinking. Don’t miss Jennifer’s insights on integrating marketing with culture and how to thrive even in uncertain markets.