Sanja Gould

vice president, Public Affairs

As vice president, Public Affairs for Starbucks Canada, Sanja Gould (she/her) leads the country’s Communications, Translation, Social Impact and Public Policy functions. Her work’s mission is to uplift the partner (employee) and customer experiences, enrich Starbucks communities, and provide stewardship for one of the world’s most iconic brands.

Throughout her decades-long career at Starbucks, Sanja has had the opportunity to lead teams and agencies through both proactive and reactive internal and external initiatives that bring the Starbucks story — and partner accomplishments — to life. Whether connecting with customers or colleagues, she has made authenticity the thread that weaves together her work across public relations, brand reputation, and internal communications. This focus on people and experiences lets Sanja change hats several times a day, contributing sound strategy to integrated marketing teams while directing internal and agency communications teams on how to resonate with every customer.  

A storyteller who can speak with relevance to diverse audiences, she’s known for leading with heart to drive results, while nurturing the growth of her fellow partners and deepening a shared understanding of the brand. Her thoughtful, dynamic leadership has been vital to communicating Starbucks impact across Canada. Sanja also contributes to the broader Starbucks culture as the executive sponsor for Starbucks Canada Pride Network. 

Sanja earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Washington while working as a barista at Starbucks. She experienced first-hand how a part time job, health benefits and stock in the company were pivotal foundations to who she is today. Beyond her work, Sanja loves gardening, reading and cooking for friends and family in Seattle — the city she’s called home for decades. Her Starbucks beverage of choice is a tall dark roast (no cream or sugar).