Donna Shunk
CPG Sales Manager
Donna Shunk has dedicated over 25 years to mastering the intricacies of the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry, cementing her reputation as a skilled strategist and sales leader. Her journey through major companies like Warner-Lambert Consumer Healthcare, Bayer Consumer Products, Mars Wrigley, and Lavazza NA has provided her with a profound understanding and capability in various market sectors, from OTC/HBA to Food and beverage.
Her strategic prowess shines in her ability to navigate high-paced environments, develop sustainable business strategies, and foster lucrative relationships with buyers and high-level executives. Known for her role as a decisive sales leader, Donna's expertise includes spearheading innovative in-store activities and sales strategies, efficiently managing national broker teams, overseeing third-party vendors, enhancing customer engagement, and extending her reach across FDM, Convenience, Specialty, and B2B channels.
In the realm of sales within the CPG sector, Donna's strategic initiatives have been instrumental. She has expertly deployed sales strategies, constructed compelling fact-based selling narratives, built robust customer trust, and led sales agency organizations to exceed expectations. Her commitment to excellence has earned her recognition and selection by the Vice President of Sales for multiple pivotal roles, enhancing her reputation for surpassing sales targets and fostering team solidarity.
Strategic Sales Leadership
Adept at both strategy formulation and tactical execution, Donna consistently develops and implements sales and trade strategies that surpass both gross and net sales targets. Her quick adaptability and expertise in driving strategic growth, customer development, retail operations, merchandising, and category management have distinguished her as a leader in her field.
Donna’s ability to evaluate and pivot business initiatives ensures she delivers persuasive, fact-based presentations that sway key stakeholders. Her entrepreneurial mindset and nuanced ability to navigate complex scenarios while upholding core organizational values enhance her business acumen.
She continues to drive profitable growth initiatives, leading annual category line reviews, spearheading new product launches, defining distribution strategies, and facilitating strategic top-to-top meetings, all aimed at fostering sustained business success.
Record-Breaking Sales Achievements
Throughout her career, Donna has demonstrated an exceptional ability to develop and execute effective sales and trade strategies across diverse channels, consistently achieving extraordinary sales results. She leads her teams to align with key performance indicators, achieve ambitious growth targets, optimize promotional and trade expenditures, and maintain precise forecast accuracy.
Her leadership was particularly notable in her recent role at Lavazza NA, where she realized remarkable growth from 2021 to 2023, recording significant increases at major retailers such as Publix, H-E-B, Meijer, Ingles, and collectively at AWG, Supervalu, Lowes Food, and KVAT. These successes are a testament to her enduring ability to drive growth and exceed sales expectations across her storied career.
Comprehensive Sales Expertise
Donna Shunk's extensive experience encompasses a wide range of sales disciplines. Her proactive approach to new business development has seen her successfully identify and capitalize on emerging market opportunities, which has been critical in expanding into new markets and acquiring new customer bases.
Her expertise also extends to category management, shopper marketing, and merchandising. Here, she applies her strategic insight to execute in-store campaigns that engage consumers and drive significant sales uplift. This detailed focus is a cornerstone of her approach to achieving and maintaining retail excellence.
Donna's World Beyond Work
Beyond her professional life, Donna pursues a vibrant array of personal interests that mirror her passion for life and commitment to personal wellness. She is an avid researcher of various topics, enjoying the discovery of eclectic facts she loves sharing with friends and family. Her profound affection for animals has shaped her life choices and professional endeavors, inspiring her to advocate vigorously for animal welfare.
Championing Animal Rights and Environmental Conservation
Donna is a fervent advocate for animal welfare. She has supported various causes and has lived a pescatarian lifestyle since 2003. She actively backs organizations such as The Farm Sanctuary, contributing to efforts to protect farm animals from factory farming.
Moreover, Donna's commitment to sustainability extends to supporting the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which helps consumers make informed choices about their consumption habits. Her dedication to promoting a sustainable lifestyle is reflective of her overall ethos.
Family and Community Engagement
At the heart of Donna’s life are her family and community. She deeply values the time spent with her loved ones, including her two nieces and their families. Her extensive network of lifelong friends and colleagues, many of whom she met through her career, attests to her ability to maintain strong relationships. Her active community involvement demonstrates her commitment to positively impacting wherever possible.
Donna Shunk is a testament to what can be achieved through dedication, strategic insight, and a commitment to ethical practices. She is a true pioneer and a respected figure in her industry.
Her strategic prowess shines in her ability to navigate high-paced environments, develop sustainable business strategies, and foster lucrative relationships with buyers and high-level executives. Known for her role as a decisive sales leader, Donna's expertise includes spearheading innovative in-store activities and sales strategies, efficiently managing national broker teams, overseeing third-party vendors, enhancing customer engagement, and extending her reach across FDM, Convenience, Specialty, and B2B channels.
In the realm of sales within the CPG sector, Donna's strategic initiatives have been instrumental. She has expertly deployed sales strategies, constructed compelling fact-based selling narratives, built robust customer trust, and led sales agency organizations to exceed expectations. Her commitment to excellence has earned her recognition and selection by the Vice President of Sales for multiple pivotal roles, enhancing her reputation for surpassing sales targets and fostering team solidarity.
Strategic Sales Leadership
Adept at both strategy formulation and tactical execution, Donna consistently develops and implements sales and trade strategies that surpass both gross and net sales targets. Her quick adaptability and expertise in driving strategic growth, customer development, retail operations, merchandising, and category management have distinguished her as a leader in her field.
Donna’s ability to evaluate and pivot business initiatives ensures she delivers persuasive, fact-based presentations that sway key stakeholders. Her entrepreneurial mindset and nuanced ability to navigate complex scenarios while upholding core organizational values enhance her business acumen.
She continues to drive profitable growth initiatives, leading annual category line reviews, spearheading new product launches, defining distribution strategies, and facilitating strategic top-to-top meetings, all aimed at fostering sustained business success.
Record-Breaking Sales Achievements
Throughout her career, Donna has demonstrated an exceptional ability to develop and execute effective sales and trade strategies across diverse channels, consistently achieving extraordinary sales results. She leads her teams to align with key performance indicators, achieve ambitious growth targets, optimize promotional and trade expenditures, and maintain precise forecast accuracy.
Her leadership was particularly notable in her recent role at Lavazza NA, where she realized remarkable growth from 2021 to 2023, recording significant increases at major retailers such as Publix, H-E-B, Meijer, Ingles, and collectively at AWG, Supervalu, Lowes Food, and KVAT. These successes are a testament to her enduring ability to drive growth and exceed sales expectations across her storied career.
Comprehensive Sales Expertise
Donna Shunk's extensive experience encompasses a wide range of sales disciplines. Her proactive approach to new business development has seen her successfully identify and capitalize on emerging market opportunities, which has been critical in expanding into new markets and acquiring new customer bases.
Her expertise also extends to category management, shopper marketing, and merchandising. Here, she applies her strategic insight to execute in-store campaigns that engage consumers and drive significant sales uplift. This detailed focus is a cornerstone of her approach to achieving and maintaining retail excellence.
Donna's World Beyond Work
Beyond her professional life, Donna pursues a vibrant array of personal interests that mirror her passion for life and commitment to personal wellness. She is an avid researcher of various topics, enjoying the discovery of eclectic facts she loves sharing with friends and family. Her profound affection for animals has shaped her life choices and professional endeavors, inspiring her to advocate vigorously for animal welfare.
Championing Animal Rights and Environmental Conservation
Donna is a fervent advocate for animal welfare. She has supported various causes and has lived a pescatarian lifestyle since 2003. She actively backs organizations such as The Farm Sanctuary, contributing to efforts to protect farm animals from factory farming.
Moreover, Donna's commitment to sustainability extends to supporting the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which helps consumers make informed choices about their consumption habits. Her dedication to promoting a sustainable lifestyle is reflective of her overall ethos.
Family and Community Engagement
At the heart of Donna’s life are her family and community. She deeply values the time spent with her loved ones, including her two nieces and their families. Her extensive network of lifelong friends and colleagues, many of whom she met through her career, attests to her ability to maintain strong relationships. Her active community involvement demonstrates her commitment to positively impacting wherever possible.
Donna Shunk is a testament to what can be achieved through dedication, strategic insight, and a commitment to ethical practices. She is a true pioneer and a respected figure in her industry.
