20 Questions With Meriyem Kaf, Vice President, Merchandise Enablement, Private Brands, RONA

Meriyem Kaf is the vice president of merchandise enablement for private brands at RONA. She’s also a Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) member! In this member spotlight, we asked her a series of questions about both her professional role and personal life, including the woman that inspires her, her leadership style, her advice for the next generation of female leaders, and much more.

1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
“No Rules Rules” by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer. It’s a brilliant look at how empowering people through trust and freedom can drive performance and innovation — something I try to practice every day.

2. What’s a tip you have for productively leading a remote or hybrid team?
Overcommunicate purpose, not just tasks. When people understand why their work matters, alignment and accountability follow naturally — even from afar.

3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?
Staying in a role I didn’t necessarily enjoy just because the promotions and pay kept coming. I learned that growth without fulfillment eventually catches up to you and that aligning work with purpose is just as important as success on paper.

4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
Balancing empathy with decisiveness — caring deeply for people while making the hard calls that drive the business forward.

5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
I connect their work to outcomes that matter, showing them how their efforts directly impact customers, stores and results. I also make sure they get the visibility they need to grow, giving them opportunities to present to senior leaders or lead initiatives that stretch them beyond their comfort zone. Recognition, trust and access are some of the best motivators.

6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
My daughters. Watching how they learn from each other and navigate the world with empathy and resilience constantly reminds me of the strength that comes from understanding and supporting others. They inspire me to lead with patience, perspective and heart.

7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry over the next year?
Seeing retailers truly integrate data, technology, and artificial intelligence to personalize experiences, predict trends, and simplify decision-making, while using these tools to bring back the human side of retail. The most exciting future is one where AI empowers people, not replaces them.

8. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
Curiosity — and that spark. Skills can be taught, but curiosity, passion and energy are what drive growth, adaptability and creativity.

9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
That resilience isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about pausing, resetting, and still choosing to show up with purpose.

10. What’s your favorite podcast?
The Modern Retail Podcast. I love hearing how leaders are navigating the intersection of innovation, operations, and customer experience.

11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
Integrity, empathy and accountability. I believe in leading with transparency and modeling the standards I expect from others.

12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
I lead with both head and heart. I’m data-driven, people-focused, and deeply committed to helping others grow. Most people assume I’m an extrovert because I’m energetic and outgoing at work, but outside of it, I’m actually an introvert who recharges through quiet time and reflection.

13. What practices or boundaries have you implemented in your personal life to create more work/life balance?
Time with my family — especially my daughters — is sacred. Retail is a demanding industry that keeps us on our toes, with long days and frequent travel, so when I’m home, it’s our time. I unplug completely and soak up every moment with them.

14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
A purpose-driven leader who transforms complexity into clarity and always leads with empathy and intention.

15. What’s your favorite app?
Headspace. It helps me slow down, refocus, and stay grounded. A few minutes of mindfulness can completely shift how I show up as a leader and as a mom.

16. What do you do to recharge?
Spend time with my kids; work on my side project, EZducate; and take naps — yes, naps! They’re one of the most underrated ways to reset and refocus.

17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
Building high-performing teams that drive measurable transformation. I stood up the Category Management and Cost Analytics teams that now shape company-wide decisions and elevate merchandising to a strategic level. Creating lasting capability and seeing people grow into confident, impactful leaders has been my proudest achievement.

18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Take risks and use your voice for good things. And make sure to grow your people. Being a leader is a responsibility that includes giving your team a platform to shine and develop. When they grow, you grow — and that reflection of shared success is the true mark of great leadership.

19. What gets you up in the morning?
The awareness that my kids are watching me. Knowing they’ll look up to how I handle challenges, lead, and show up in the world keeps me grounded and motivated. Making them proud is just as important — if not more — than me being proud of them.

20. What do you like most about being a member of Women in Retail Leadership Circle?
The community — being surrounded by women who genuinely lift each other up, share honestly, and celebrate both ambition and authenticity. It’s a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t have to be lonely.