Carmela was born in Lithuania and immigrated to Toronto in 1981. She graduated from the Schulich School of Business at York University prior to attending Law School at the University of Toronto. After working at Stikeman Elliott LLP and then in private practice, Carmela joined CMS Ontario Ltd. in 2007.
Subsequently Carmela joined Upper Crust, a manufacturer of a variety of gourmet bakery products sold globally and has been in the role of President since 2013. Upper Crust is a privately owned and operated Canadian company that has grown into a multinational bakery manufacturer part of an alliance with several other Ontario companies collectively operating in five plants in Ontario and employing over 1,500 people. With combined sales of more than $500 million annually, Upper Crust has enjoyed a significant growth for the last several years, primarily due to the successful launch of innovative and on-trend products consumers demand and crave. Upper Crust is one of the largest manufacturers of croissants and bagels in North America and is one of Canada’s leading producers of frozen dough and baked products including artisan bread, danishes, puff pastry, cookies, cinnamon rolls, muffins and cakes. Upper Crust is proud to manufacture premium quality bakery goods for the Foodservice and Retail market channels.