Join WFIM Fri. Apr. 23rd for
WFIM’s 1st Virtual Sustainability Summit!
Do your part, lead change, make an
impact. The time is NOW!
Sustainability is such a huge global issue that needs to be addressed sooner than later. There is no one company or individual who can solve the world problems. How are companies including sustainability into its business goals, plans, practices now for a better future?
WFIM has invited a variety of guests from
within and outside of the food industry, to share what they’ve done to get
started, their roles, insights and plans.It doesn’t matter where you are…Learn and be inspired on what you can do
NOW!
Morning Session: 10:30 -12:30 (Do your part / Pave your way)
Featuring 6 Speakers- Ones to Watch / Make
an Impact
Afternoon Session: 2:00-4:00 (Food / Industry Experts Leading
Change)

- Cher Mereweather – President, Provision
Coalition (1st Keynote)
- Solange Ackrill – VP, Marketing &
Corporate Strategy, Club Coffee (2nd Keynote)
- Sylvain Charlebois – Senior Director,
Dalhousie University | Agri Food Analytics Lab (Final Keynote Speaker)
Joining Food / Industry Experts Round Table
- Mary Dalimonte - Board Director | Food & Retail Transformation Consultant, Mary Dalimonte Inc.
- Magali Depras – Chief Strategy & CSR
Officer, TC Transcontinental
- Jess Newman – Sr. Director of Ag &
Sustainability, McCain Foods
Featuring
- Frank Ferragine (Guest Moderator) – Weather
& Garden Expert, CityTV/Frankie Flowers, Bradford Greenhouses
PLUS stay for LUNCH BREAK 12:30-1:00/
NETWORKING 1:00-2:00pm
Meet & Greet Speakers, Breakout Rooms,
Raffle Prizes & Activities
THIS IS AN EVENT UNLIKE ANY YOU WILL
ATTEND!
WFIM BELIEVES:TOGETHER WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER & THRIVE!
REGISTER NOW! (All Day Pass includes recording)
BONUS: Get 1 TREE PLANTED IN YOUR NAME
& CERTIFICATE, donated through GREENRE (Corporate Event Day Sponsor) with
each registration!
EARLY BIRD
- Get Registration DISCOUNT until
APRIL 16
- EARLY BIRD REGISTRANTS get 5
TREES IN YOUR NAME PLANTED & CERTIFICATE donated through GREENRE (Corporate
Event Day Sponsor)
PLUS:
All registrants will be mailed sustainable swag from participating
companies
FINALLY:
Ticket Proceeds go to FOOD BANKS CANADA
DON’T WAIT!
REGISTER NOW!TOGETHER WE MAKE A
DIFFERENCE AND THRIVE! INVITE A
COLLEAGUE, CLIENT, CUSTOMER, FRIEND OR FAMILY!
Contact admin@wfim.ca
for more details.
Link and more info on how to enjoy and make
the most of your sessions will be sent before the event.
See you on April 23rd!

Nita Tandon
Founder and CEO, Dalcini Stainless
Nita Tandon is the Founder and CEO Dalcini
Stainless (pronounced Dalcheeni Stainless), an award-winning health and
sustainability housewares company.
When Nita stepped away from a career in
biopharma and into the world of motherhood, she continued to view the world
through a health lens- the health of her family and health of the planet. When
she couldn’t find the healthy and sustainable option she was looking for, she
combined her Indian heritage, science education and her “practical mom” mindset
to develop a line of chemical-free and infinitely recyclable housewares with
Dalcini Stainless.
Over the last 10 years Nita has been an
outspoken advocate and trusted resource on topics of sustainability, health,
toxic chemicals, microplastics, DIY home and wellness alternatives and has been
featured on Turner Radio, CTV Ottawa, Newstalk1010, Post Media, The Balancing
Act Podcast, and EcoParent Magazine. Nita resides with her family in Ottawa.

Ryan McKenzie
Co-Founder and CMO, Tru Earth
Ryan is the CMO and co-founder of Tru
Earth® which is based in Port Moody, B.C. and began operations in April of
2019. He is a father of three and is passionate about making sure the future of
the world is healthy for all of our children. He is passionate about marketing,
health, fitness, futurism, and biotech.
Tru Earth is a leading eco-friendly
household product company committed to eliminating plastic from landfills and
oceans. At its core, you will discover that Tru Earth, is actually a movement
(#TruEarthMovementTM). The Tru Earth team joins more than a quarter million
equally committed people in more than 60+ countries to combat the 645 billion
plastic household product containers dumped in landfills and oceans globally
each year.
Our customers are #TruChangeMakersTM,
disrupting the multi-billion-dollar household product industry, reducing carbon
emissions by up to 94% and caring for the health of the planet and their
families.
Tru Earth’s suite of products and planned
launches come with our pledge to provide #TruChangeMakers with laundry,
bathroom and kitchen products that they need to make a substantial impact on
the health of our world. To do our part, we promise to match all first-time
subscriptions by donating to families in need across the globe. Because at Tru
Earth, we know many small hinges can swing very, very big doors.

Mariana Macovei
Project Leader Technical Service, Ingredion
Canada
Mariana Macovei is currently working with
passion for the food industry as a Project Leader Technical Service for Ingredion
Canada. In her role she oversees the Canadian Technical Service team and
manages projects related with innovation, cost savings and troubleshooting.
With over two decades experience in the food industry, she is passionate about
helping customers, colleagues, and her connections in the industry. As a
long-standing member of WFIM for well over one decade she has held multiple
roles in the Association and now takes care of the Scholarship and Mentorship
functions.
Passion for sustainability comes from passion
for environment and ecosystems.
When Mariana is not assisting clients, you
can find her spending time with her family, baking, reading or enjoying yoga
classes.

Shinya Kominami
Founding Director, Komi Creations Inc.
Shinya is a Part-Time Professor of
Industrial Design, and Founding Director at Komi Creations, Inc.
He has 15 years of experience in the
industry providing solutions for companies such as Ubisoft, Spin Master, and
Irwin Toys. Currently the owner and director of his own firm — Komi Creations,
Inc. — providing product design solutions to various companies, ranging from
electronics, toys, PPEs, to furniture.
He is also teaching students how to evolve
product design in the circular economy by applying the Cradle to Cradle
methodologies at Humber College.
Educational Background:
Shinya’s educational background includes a
Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of
Toronto and a Bachelor of Industrial Design from Humber College.

Victoria Xu
Angel Investor, Capital Angel Network
Victoria is an Angel Investor at Capital
Angel Network and self proclaimed 90% vegan mother/110% tech dork.
She is known as a dedicated supporter of
early-stage tech startups working to improve the environment and quality of
life. As a veteran in both STEM and social entrepreneurship, she promotes
sustainability with the practical applications of technology.

Keith Loiselle
President, Greenre Brand
Keith is an executive, multi-disciplined
leader with experience in environmentally conscience design, consumer products,
global brand, marketing, online/social industry and licensing knowledge
acquired over the past 20+ years. Growth
and industry Hacker since conception, Mr. Loiselle is the founder of greener,
an eco-consumer products company and INProduction Licensing.
Specialties include sustainability, brand
& marketing, business analysis & strategy, innovation, supply chain,
retail consumer products, graphic design, web development, social media
content, and P&L management.
With his expert knowledge and experience,
Mr. Loiselle has been working with leading licensors, and licensees both in
North America and globally (including Disney, Marvel, Lucas Films, DC Comics,
Nickelodeon, 20th Century Fox, NHL, Rovio, Emoji and Warner Bros.
and their extensive franchise IP’s).
Mr. Loiselle’s experience and education as
an owner and entrepreneur span across business sectors in education, branding,
retail, hospitality and manufacturing.
In this serving $13+Million in food and beverage, over $50+ Million in
retail units sold globally and training and employing over 1000+ staff and
students.
Awards
- Top Young Entrepreneurs – Faces Magazine
- 40 under Forty Award – Ottawa Business
Journal / Ottawa Chamber of Commerce

Cher Mereweather
President, Provision Coalition
Cher is one of Canada’s leaders in food and
beverage industry sustainability.
She has dedicated her 20-year career to
enabling food and beverage companies to embrace sustainability, purpose and
circularity in order to create a more resilient food system, one company at a
time.
Before founding Provision in 2012, Cher had
established and directed the Sustainability
Consulting Business Unit at NSF
International and held executive positions with the Canadian agri-food think
tank, the George Morris Centre. She was awarded the Canadian Grocer Generation
Next award for leadership in sustainability and sits on the Board of Directors
for the National Zero Waste Council and Birds Canada.

Solange Ackrill
VP, Marketing and Corporate Strategy,
Club Coffee
Solange Ackrill has built a reputation as a
brand strategy innovator with a deep understanding of the food retailing
environment, with some of the giants of the industry including Walmart,
Loblaws, and Maple Leaf Foods. Solange has led teams and contributed to major
strategic initiatives that have generated profitable results by anticipating
and aligning effectively with rapidly-changing shifts in the market. As the VP
of Marketing and Corporate Strategy, and part of the Executive Leadership team,
Solange is playing a central role in focusing the company’s resources towards
driving sustainable growth.
With Club Coffee’s launch of the world’s
first certified 100% compostable coffee pod, Solange is helping connect
consumers with the sustainable innovation they seek, while building
partnerships with a diverse array of innovative coffee brands across North
America. Solange also serves on various boards and committees across various
industries.

Mary Dalimonte
Board Director | Food & Retail Transformations Consultant, Mary Dalimonte Inc.
Mary Dalimonte is currently President of
Mary Dalimonte Inc. Retail and Food Transformations, a retail consultancy and
serves as a board director of Giant Tiger Stores Ltd., and the Italian Chamber
of Commerce. Dalimonte remains committed to serving her community as an Academy
Leader & Mentor at WFIM (Women In Food Industry Management) and mentor
leader at the Network of Executive Women organization.
Mary held SVP Executive roles with Sobeys
until retiring in 2018. Prior to that, she spent 30+ years with Loblaws
Companies in progressively senior roles including store operations,
multi-business unit development and retail operations.
Throughout her career, Mary worked through
some of the most challenging times in the industry, including 2003 Blackout in
Toronto, 2008 ice storm, as well as closures due to Hepatitis C infection, to
name a few.
She attributes her industry preparedness
and effective communication skills to working with various levels of
retail/industry management and government officials.
Mary is a motivating and inspiring leader
for all that come into contact with her whether personally or professionally in
the industry and community.

Magali Depras
Chief Strategy & CSR Officer, TC
Transcontinental
Magali Depras holds the position of Chief
Strategy & CSR Officer of TC Transcontinental, the largest Canadian printer
and one of the leading flexible plastics producers in North America. Ms. Depras
serves on the Executive Management Committee.
This seasoned executive, with over 25 years
of experience in senior leadership roles, has worked internationally, namely in
Europe, Asia and North America. She brings close to 20 years of experience in
the packaging industry. As Chief Strategy Officer of TC Transcontinental, Ms.
Depras oversees the development and implementation of annual and long-term
strategic plans. In support of the Corporation’s commitment to operating its
activities sustainably, she also leads corporate social responsibility
initiatives, including corporate ambitions in the area of sustainability and
the circular economy of plastics, and is tasked with aligning CSR objectives
with TC Transcontinental’s business strategy.
Prior to joining TC Transcontinental,
Magali Depras held several leadership positions with CSA Group (Canadian
Standards Association), first as Vice President, Europe, where she developed
local conformity assessment services and testing operations from scratch, then
as Chief Operating Officer overlooking global operations and developing the
organization organically and through acquisitions, and finally as President of
CSA Group Standards.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Depras spent
close to 20 years at Br. Hartmann, a company specialized in the manufacturing
and sale of molded fiber packaging for food and industrial products where she
served as Chief Commercial Officer. Over her 20-year tenure with this Danish
publicly listed corporation, she held various Sales and Marketing leadership
positions in Europe.
Ms. Depras holds an MBA from the Institute
of Business Administration (IAE) of Paris, Panthéon- Sorbonne, as well as a
Master of Foreign Languages applied to Business and Trade from University of
Lille. She earned a certificate in Board Governance from the INSEAD Business
School, for which she is President of the Canada Alumni Association. She is
currently serving on several Boards including as Vice-Chair, Plastics Division
of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) and as a Board member
and member of the governance committee of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de
Montréal. French born, with extensive international experience, Magali and her
family have been established in Montreal, QC since 2014.

Jess Newman
Senior Director of Agriculture and
Sustainability, McCain Foods
Jess Newman is the Senior Director of
Agriculture & Sustainability at McCain Foods, the world’s largest
manufacturer of frozen potato products and appetizers. Her team of agronomists
and field representatives are responsible for all the sweet potatoes, peppers,
onions, zucchini, and other vegetables purchased directly from farmers. They
also implement McCain’s 2025 sustainability goals related to agriculture: 50%
of farmers implementing regenerative practices, 25% reduction in farming CO 2
emissions intensity, 15% improvement in irrigation water use efficiency in
water-stressed regions, and the launch of three Farms of the Future.
Jess works remotely from her home state of
Michigan and travels frequently to support her team (when COVID allows). Jess
has worked at the United Nations Food and Agriculture.
Organization, Ecologic Institute, New York
City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Booz & Company, Consultative Group
on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and Anheuser-Busch. She holds a
B.A. from Harvard, an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and an
MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. She is passionate about working
with farmers, baking, and sci-fi/fantasy.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Professor, Food Distribution and Policy
Faculty of Management
Professor, Faculty of Agriculture
Dalhousie University, Canada
Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a Professor in food distribution and policy
in the Faculties of Management and Agriculture at Dalhousie University in
Halifax. He is also the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, also
located at Dalhousie University.
Known as “The Food Professor”, his current research interest lies in
the broad area of food distribution, security and safety. He is one of the
world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains
and traceability. Furthermore, his research has been featured in several
newspapers and media groups, nationally as well as internationally. He has
testified on several occasions before parliamentary committees on food
policy-related issues as an expert witness. He has been asked to act as an
advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces and other
countries.
Education:
PhD, Université de Sherbrooke (CANADA), 2005
MBA, Université du Québec à Montréal (CANADA), 2002.
BComm, Royal Military College / Collège
militaire royal (CANADA), 1992.

Frank Ferragine
Frank Ferragine aka Frankie Flowers
CityTV's Weather and Garden Expert, Bradford Greenhouses
Four-time best-selling gardening author,
three-time recipient of Landscape Ontario's Garden Communicator of the year,
award-winning landscape designer and Toronto's most popular weather guy, Frank
Ferragine - best known as Frankie Flowers on Breakfast Television and CityLine
- is Canada's gardening expert.
From plant killers to master gardeners,
Frankie believes there is always a lesson to be learned and a plant to be
saved!
Locally Frankie family operates Bradford
Greenhouses Garden Gallery - Named Canada's Best Garden Centre and one of
Canada's best Managed Businesses

Brenda Seto
Board Director, WFIM
Brenda Seto is an avid Board Director of
WFIM, leading Marketing, Corporate & Event Strategy Development.She joined WFIM in 2013 and continues to be a
compassionate leader who utilizes her skills and experience to build and grow
WFIM and further help support, develop & connect women (and men) in food
& related industries to be the "best at the table".She embodies the values of WFIM personally
and professionally:to continue to learn
and connect others, to support, give back and help others thrive. Most recently, Brenda has led the
organization to pivot during the pandemic so the core values important to
WFIM's member community continue even in the current virtual environment.
Brenda has 25+ years experience as a
sought-after business executive with a blend of corporate and entrepreneurial
skills, working closely with a variety of clients and companies in multiple
markets, categories and channels.Brenda
has a track record in Brand, Product and Licensing globally, having worked with
the top studios globally including Disney/Marvel/Lucasfilm, Warner Bros.,
Mattel, MGAE, Emoji, Rovio, Sony, Viacom / Nickelodeon, Vancouver Olympics, NHL
to name a few. She has been known to be
in tune with emerging trends, strategically on point while pragmatically and
tactically able to connect the dots to activate plans and programs with teams
on time and budget for commercial success.
Brenda's Marketing and Licensing leadership
has helped her companies win numerous awards, including Licensee of the Year
for Disney North America, Licensee of the Year for Mattel Canada, Best
Promotional Partner for HiT Canada and Best Product Innovation from AC Moore. Her clients appreciate her skills,
experience, connections and relationships over the years, whether to solve
short-term issues while aligning solutions to long-term goals.