Monica Yianakis

In this role I am responsible for developing Comvita’s Global Marketing, Digital and Innovation strategy, and leading the marketing, digital and production innovation team to deliver commercial results. This role works closely with our in-market teams across North America, China, Asia Pacific and UK to accelerate growth in market. Lastly, this role is responsible for the creation of the future platforms of growth strategy across brand, experiential, digital and product.

Re-built the Bobux business under Munro Footwear Group (MFG) ownership and successfully transitioned the Bobux brand across to sit within the MFG stables. Continued to set the strategic direction and drive the Bobux business globally. I led the global team across Europe, New Zealand and Indonesia to meet Revenue and Profit deliverables. Explored strategic avenues for growth for Munro Footwear Group to enter the New Zealand market in other territories.

In this role I led Bobux International Ltd; a premium apparel business selling children's shoes globally in over 40 countries. Whilst reporting into the Board, I was responsible for the setting of strategic direction to achieve commercial deliverables, as well as managing all operational aspects of the business. Leading employees across multiple markets, with a head office in New Zealand, production and warehousing in Indonesia, and both distribution and wholesale partners globally (particularly Europe, UK and Australia). A key part of this leadership was driving team culture and engagement, including fostering team development and wellbeing. Led the business through the successful acquisition of Bobux International Ltd by Munro Footwear Group in May 2024.

Led Lion Liquor Retail as a stand-alone business unit with a national network of 25 stores and ~200 employees charged with delivering an EBIT and Lion share target. In this role, I led the development and implementation of the Business Strategy through the turbulent global pandemic in order to deliver a turnaround step-change profit delivery. Recommended and initiated the divestment of this business unit as part of Lion’s core focus strategy.

In this role, I led the fully agile Lion Ventures team to deliver new commercial territories that drive new avenues of growth for Lion through acquisition, creation or partnerships. Across this time I set the strategic framework for New Avenues for Growth on the Lion NZ Business Strategy and bought multiple ventures to market.

Led strategic identification and evaluation of new growth avenues for Lion NZ inline with Lion's vision to increase share of Adult Social Occasions. Avenues included new markets, new channels and businesses that establish future revenue streams.

In this role I had full ownership of the Goodness Portfolio (largest Portfolio in the business) and led a team of six marketers. I was responsible for the full P&L, strategic direction and managing the full marketing mix to deliver agreed commercials. In this time represented Frucor NZ with parent company Suntory globally and step-changed global performance across the Goodness Portfolio.