Sylvia Buxton

Class of 2024

Sylvia Buxton has been a global confectionery industry executive, leader, innovator, mentor, and volunteer for more than 30 years.

Born on July 22, 1965, in Montreal, Quebec and the youngest of nine children, her family life was filled with warmth, fun, and cherished memories. She says her parents’ dedication to family and community deeply influenced her values.

She graduated from high school in 1983, where she says her interest in business and marketing was sparked by her participation in Junior Achievement. She went on to pursue a business degree with a major in Marketing and a minor in Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Sylvia’s marketing career began at Reckitt & Colman, where she worked for four years on food brands including French’s, Schwartz, Durkee, along with the household Wizard and Airwick air fresheners brands.

In August 1991, she joined Hershey Canada as Brand Manager for Planters, drawn by the company’s iconic brands and her love of chocolate.

During her early years at the company, she led marketing efforts on brands including Reese’s, Skor, and LifeSavers. Taking on more responsibility, in 1996 she was tasked with building the Canadian business through product launches, which included Peppermint Patties and Reese’s Cookie Cups.

By 1997, Sylvia had moved her family to the U.S. to work as Hershey’s Marketing Manager for innovation. She next spent time leading seasonal marketing strategies before becoming Senior Global Brand Director for the newly acquired Brookside business in 2012.

She capped her career at Hershey as Senior Director of Marketing for the Americas region.

For the past five years, Sylvia has led the North American Business of Perfetti Van Melle USA, Inc. as President & CEO, breaking barriers as the most senior woman in global leadership for the company. She joined the company in 2016 as Vice President of Marketing, North America.

Under Sylvia’s direction, Perfetti Van Melle has been recognized with many community honors, including being named a Northern Kentucky Best Workplace and receiving the Community Champion award.

In addition, Sylvia herself has earned numerous honors, including being a 2023 finalist for the Kettle Award. Earlier this year she was presented with the NCA Woman of Influence Award by the association’s Women’s Leadership Group.

Sylvia has been an NCA Board Member and has served on the Strategic Advisory Council since 2019. She regularly participates in industry panels at the NCA State of the Industry Conference and the Sweets & Snacks Expo.

After meeting while swimming on the North York Masters swim team, Sylvia married Michael Skelly in 1994, in Toronto. Together they have two children, Sebastian and Jocelyn.

Sylvia tells us that fear can stop people from taking chances in life and in their careers but says every time she said “yes” good things happened.

Getting To Know Sylvia

My job would be simpler if . . . AI could do it!

People would be surprised to learn . . . or maybe not so surprised, that I have been known to sing a cappella!