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.

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.

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.

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.

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.