2025 WFIM EVENTS
In these uncertain times and despite differences in size, sector, and stage, all panelists navigating the challenge of turning sustainability commitments into real, measurable action. Whether it’s a legacy food brand, a giant retailer, a purpose-led start-up, or consultancy, everyone is figuring out how to prioritize and operationalize sustainability across supply chains, products, and culture in ways that are scalable, profitable, and meaningful.
Join us for an evening with networking and nibbles, table tops. Meet and greet with attendees, speakers, panelists in a relaxed environment.
Warm up to the main feature presentation and panel discussion, followed by intimate breakout sessions to continue the conversation, provide live examples of sustainability solutions, fostering partnerships in action. Regardless of what area of focus or stage you are at, there are opportunities to connect and collaborate to prioritize sustainability now in order to future proof success.
Event Agenda
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 5:00 pm | Arrival and Registration Open |
| 5:00 – 6:00 pm | Networking, Nibbles and Table-Tops Exhibit (meet and greet) |
| 6:15 pm | Welcome, Agenda, Housekeeping, Announcement of Sustainability Scholarship and Other Updates |
| 6:20 – 7:20 pm | KEYNOTE: Michelle Saunders – Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada |
| PART I – MAIN PANEL DISCUSSION
MAIN PRESENTATION (moderated by MICHELLE SAUNDERS, VP Sustainability FHCP) joined by our esteemed food industry specialists:
Focus discussion:
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| 7:20 – 8:20 pm | PART II: RETAIL TO VALUE CHAIN ROUND TABLE INTERACTIVE DISCUSSIONS LIVE EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIPS
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| 8:10 – 9:00 pm |
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| 9:00 – 9:10 pm | Final remarks |
Launching Sustainable Products – Strategies for Startups and Small Businesses
With insights from startup founders, sustainable packaging specialists, and distribution experts, this session will explore the entire journey—from product concept to shelf placement.
This session would be ideal for emerging entrepreneurs, sustainability leads in early stage businesses, and anyone looking to better understand how to bring a sustainable product to life and to market.
- PAUL YIP (LCG FOODS) – SME Distributor
- PIA SIMRAN (ROOTREE) – Packaging
- MEGAN SILK (GINGER BUG BREW) – Start-up SME or
- SUZIE YORKE (LITTLE CACAO CO- TBC) – Start-up SME
Corporate Gateways – What It Takes to Get Sustainable Products Listed
From supply chain planning to data validation and retail merchandising, this breakout taps into the knowledge of insiders who evaluate products, design sustainability strategies, and manage operations at scale.
This session would be ideal for new and emerging brands as they prepare to scale, businesses and companies wanting to enter the larger retail channels and those wanting to understand how large businesses/organizations assess potential sustainable products for listing.
- JENNIFER LAMBERT (COMPASS, FORMER LOBLAWS) – Sustainability Industry Expert
- WESLEY GEE (WORKS DESIGN) – Sustainability Strategy and Communication
- CHRIS SIABANIS (LONGO In Store) – Assistant Manager
- JAS KOHLI (TRUE GRADIENT) – Data/Supply Chain (Vendor)
- BHANU PANWAR (LOBLAW) – Supply Chain/Planning (Retail)
Keynote Speaker & Moderator
KEYNOTE SPEAKER & Moderator
Michelle Saunders
VP Sustainability FHCP
Michelle Saunders is Vice President of Sustainability at Food & Consumer Products of Canada. Representing Canada’s food, beverage and consumer goods manufacturers, she oversees all policy and advocacy efforts related to environmental sustainability, including plastics and packaging. She led her organization to become the first trade association in Canada to have endorsed the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, co-founded the Canada Plastics Pact, and sits on numerous boards and advisory committees of organizations focused on advancing a circular economy and implementing Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging. In 2024 she received Senior Level Star Women of Grocery award by Canadian Grocer.
With 20 years of experience offering strategic public policy and government relations guidance to the business community and on-the ground advocacy at all levels of government, Michelle’s perspective on advocacy builds on her background in politics. Prior to her work in trade associations she worked as a political advisor in the Ontario government, both in the office of the Premier and in the offices of a number of Cabinet Ministers.
Panelists
Chris Gruber
Calgary Co-op
Laura Kennedy
Laura brings over 13 years of marketing and brand management experience in the CPG sector, having spent time at companies including PepsiCo and Boston Pizza. She began her career with Gap Inc., in Shanghai, China and currently leads the Global Sustainable Products team at McCain in Toronto. Laura has a passion for new brand launches, strong team culture and driving the advancement of women in the industry. When not working, you can find her spending time travelling or at the cottage with her husband and two daughters.
Catherine McVitty
Sustainability Lead at Unilever Canada
With a career of over 30 years focused on environmental affairs, Catherine brings experience and expertise to a variety of sustainability issues including climate action, packaging and sustainable sourcing. Most recently her work has focused on plastics and recycling, working with NGOs, government and industry partners on projects aimed at ending plastic waste. When not engaged in this work Catherine pursues her passion for enjoying the great outdoors, preferably on her bike.
Megan Silk
Gingerbug was founded in 2022 on the Silk family’s small, off-grid farm, where Megan and husband Bren took on the project of growing food, raising animals and living without electricity along with their five young children, in an effort to teach them where food comes from.
In November 2023, Gingerbug appeared on CBC’s “Dragon’s Den” and has since expanded into retail coast to coast across Canada.
Megan Silk
Gingerbug was founded in 2022 on the Silk family’s small, off-grid farm, where Megan and husband Bren took on the project of growing food, raising animals and living without electricity along with their five young children, in an effort to teach them where food comes from.
In November 2023, Gingerbug appeared on CBC’s “Dragon’s Den” and has since expanded into retail coast to coast across Canada.
Retail and Value Chain Partners – Share Real Experience
Panel Moderators
Nick Gibson
NielsenIQ
Nick Gibson
Brett Wills
CARBON-ONE
Brett Wills
Brett is the founder and CEO of CarbonOne, a Canadian clean-tech company operating in the Carbon Accounting & Reporting Space. Brett has over 25 years of experience in Sustainability and the Agri-Food Sector.
Prior to founding CarbonOne, Brett founded one of Canada’s first Sustainable Business Management Consulting firms – Green Enterprise Movement (GEM) and led the organization’s consistent year-over-year growth for 14 consecutive years. In this role, Brett had the opportunity to work with over 200 North American food and beverage companies from small start-ups to large publicly traded multinationals advising on strategies to drive organizational performance through a focus on Sustainability. During this time Brett was also a Professor of Sustainable Business Management at Seneca College in Toronto.
Brett earned a BA in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University and completed post-graduate work in Environmental Studies at Dalhousie University. Brett lives in Toronto and is the author of 2 ground-breaking Sustainability books: Green Intentions and Purposely Profitable.
Panelists
Paul Yip
LCG FOODS
Paul Yip
Pia Simran
ROOTREE
Pia Simran
After discovering her entrepreneurial spirit, Pia attended the Entrepreneurial School of Beauce in Quebec.
In her role, Pia has seamlessly integrated her diverse skill set. Her journey with the company has seen her contribute in various capacities, having worked in nearly every department. Today, she is instrumental in driving sustainable innovation within the organization, ensuring Rootree remains at the forefront of eco-friendly flexible packaging. She is dedicated to sustainable practices and agriculture which has helped her in another venture specializing in micro-greens and organic garden produce.
Outside of her professional life, she loves growing delicious garden produce and cooking for her family, expressing her musical talents through piano and singing, and exploring the world through travel. These interests contribute to her holistic approach to life and business.
Suzie Yorke
THE LITTLE CACAO CO.
Chris Siabanis
LONGOS – IN STORE
Chris Siabanis
- 16 years with Longo’s
- Only Hall of Famer in the Company (2022)
- 4 Time Joe Longo SR Award of Creativity Company wide
- Assistant Store manager @ Leaside Location
- In charge of running the “Elevating Grocery Merchandising Project” across 16 Longo’s locations
- Always looking to help small local brands make a bigger splash on the sales floor!
Zelka Ridjosic
JOYBURST
Zelka Ridjosic
Before helping launch this better-for-you beverage brand, Zelka built a global career as an executive in consulting with Accenture, leading projects in finance and pharma across North America, Europe and Asia. She later helped scale a tech-focused startup that was ultimately acquired by Dr. Oz, gaining firsthand experience in startups and acquisitions.
With over 15 years of leadership spanning Fortune 500 firms and entrepreneurial ventures, Zelka brings deep expertise in strategy and problem-solving.
She is a proud mom of three young kids and a passionate advocate for female leadership.
Jennifer Lambert
COMPASS, FORMER LOBLAW
Jennifer Lambert
Jennifer has a Food Process Engineering degree from University of Guelph, and an MBA from York University Schulich School of Business. In her previous role, Jennifer led the Control Brand Sustainability team at Loblaw Companies Ltd.
She has participated in numerous multi-stakeholder organizations including past vice-chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, PAC Global advisory committee, member of the Canadian Agri-Food Sustainability Initiative, Canada Plastics Pact and the Agriculture and Agri-food Canada Sustainability Engagement Table.
Wesley Gee
WORKS DESIGN
Wesley Gee
Bhanu Panwar
LOBLAW
Bhanu Panwar
Jas Kholi
TRUE GRADIENT
Jasneet Kholi
Jacquie Hutchings
Friendlier
Jacquie Hutchings
Location and Fees
Early Bird Price ends on May 23rd, 2025
Date: June 5th, 2025
Time: 5:00PM to 9:00PM
Location: Terrace on the Green, 8672 Mississauga Road, Brampton, L6Y 0C4 905-459-4447
| Members | Non-Members | Students/Retirees |
|---|---|---|
| $65.00 + HST (early bird) | $80.00 + HST (early bird) | $45.00 + HST (early bird) |
| $75.00 + HST (regular price) | $95.00 + HST (regular price) | $55.00 + HST (regular price) |
| Table Top Addition – $30 + HST (early bird) and $50 after (for members, sponsors, speakers, panelist – while quantities last) | ||
Contact admin@wfim.ca for more info on tabletops and how you can be involved!
