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WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Michelle LeBlanc, chief of staff and executive director of merchandising analytics at CVS Health, has been with the company her entire career. Michelle says, “I started in an entry-level position in the finance department, then joined our Front Store Merchandising team to aid in building a new category. I quickly got the bug for merchandising and have held various roles across the organization, including category manager, category designer, store brand business development and strategy, divisional merchandising manager and my current role as chief of staff to the chief merchant officer,” a position she has held since November 2022.
“Growing up at CVS and being part of its immense growth is completely inspiring. I feel deeply connected to our mission, I feel empowered to do what’s right for our consumers, and I feel lucky to work with such incredibly talented colleagues,” she explains.
LeBlanc would classify her role as chief of staff to their chief merchant officer into three areas. “First, as a strategic advisor and executor. In this area, I am responsible for ensuring that we are delivering results against our retail strategy through cross-functional execution while incorporating current trends into our outlook to adjust business plans accordingly. Within that, there’s an element of ensuring prioritization and finding efficiencies,” LeBlanc notes. She describes her second role as a connector and communicator. “That means delivering on our strategy requires effective storytelling and partner engagement — internally and externally. I ensure that the right people come together at the right time to communicate clear and concise decisions across the broader organization — a big task with respect to our over 200,000 colleagues across our retail footprint.”
She listed the third as a problem solver. “When we get stuck or need to find a path forward, I am tasked with leading this charge and breaking through the wall. I love this part of the role. There is an underpinning role of confidant — to my leader, to the leadership team and to their teams. I keep a pulse on the energy in the room with a keen eye and respect for nonverbal cues to gage how a person or group is feeling, ensuring solid team engagement.”
LeBlanc is proud of her achievements during her time at the company. “I wouldn’t say they are a result I delivered or a project I led; it would be the connections I’ve made. I have so many people that I mentor (formally and informally) and that mentor me right back. It’s been amazing to watch people who I’ve led grow in their careers, successfully take on bigger roles and then become people leaders. I always say, ‘I’m a leader of leaders.’ Seeing people succeed is what I’m most proud of.”
She is excited about the number of programs on the merchandising side for 2023. “It’s an amazing time to be part of the Front Store Merchandising team at CVS. When our chief merchant, Musab Balbale, joined the organization in February 2022, he completely reinvigorated our strategy and team. As we’ve started to bring the strategy to life through execution, we’re beginning to see exciting results.”
LeBlanc emphasizes that mentoring others is the best part of the job.
“No matter how many times someone asks me to help them solve a problem or work through something within their role — every time I feel privileged to be the position to help — humbled and honored to be asked. We all have crazy busy calendars; one thing my calendar will always find time for is people,” she concludes.
