Advisory Committee
Our conference advisory committee brings together industry experts, strategic thinkers, and dedicated change-makers to shape the conversation around the most critical topics in the Retail Sustainability landscape.
Alexis Lavoie
Environment, Governance and Accountability Advisor
Metro
Alexis Lavoie
Environment, Governance and Accountability Advisor
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Catherine Leighton
Senior Strategy Manager
TELUS Communications Inc
Catherine Leighton
Senior Strategy Manager
Catherine Leighton is the Senior Strategy Manager, Environment at TELUS. For over fifteen years, Catherine has specialized in sustainability, behavior change, and circular economy. She serves on the National Zero Waste Council Management Board and has worked at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Circular Innovation Council. Catherine holds a Masters in Environment and Resource Studies from the University of Waterloo.
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Chloe Barnabe
Director, Sustainability Transformation
EY
Chloe Barnabe
Director, Sustainability Transformation
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Emilia Galaev
Regional Sustainability Operations & Compliance Lead, Americas
H&M Fashion USA Inc
Emilia Galaev
Regional Sustainability Operations & Compliance Lead, Americas
Emilia Galaev is the Regional Sustainability Operations & Compliance Lead for H &M Americas, joining the company in 2011. Emilia’s role drives the regional sustainability efforts with a focus on building and implementing internal processes, managing ESG and EPR reporting and ensuring overall compliance in the Region. Starting her career at the Toronto H &M flagship store, she has been able to grow with the company thru various roles, both in Canada and now US.
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Emma Race-Cabot
Vice President, Sustainability & Community Investment
Loblaw Companies Limited
Emma Race-Cabot
Vice President, Sustainability & Community Investment
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Emma Reid
Director of Sustainability
Sleep Country Canada
Emma Reid
Director of Sustainability
Emma Reid is Director of Sustainability at Sleep Country Canada, having joined in 2026 after five years as Director of Sustainability at UK-based Simba Sleep. At Simba, she established the company’s sustainability function and led its certification as the UK’s first B Corp sleep brand in 2022 and current recertification. She also directed Simba’s validated Science Based Targets and sustainability strategy across carbon reduction, impact reporting, circularity, mattress end-of-life solutions, and digital product passports.
Emma has extensive experience developing social impact programs, working with charities focused on youth homelessness, sleep education, and bed poverty. In 2025, she launched Dreamspace, an innovative initiative addressing child bed poverty across the UK.
She currently serves on the Sustainability Committee of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) and collaborates closely with industry associations across North America, the UK, and Europe to advance sustainability in the sleep products sector.
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Gulnara Gabidullina
Director, Global Product Stewardship
P&G
Gulnara Gabidullina
Director, Global Product Stewardship
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Harrison Brook
Manager, Sustainability
Retail Council of Canada
Harrison Brook
Manager, Sustainability
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Heather Mak
Principal Advisor
Heather Mak Consulting Inc.
Heather Mak
Principal Advisor
Heather Mak is a Toronto-based sustainability consultant specializing in the food, retail and consumer goods sectors in North America and Europe.
Heather is a known connector, convenor and facilitator, and specializes in strategy and integration, stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and communications on complex sustainability issues such as climate, packaging, stewardship, supply chain, human rights, and community investment. Heather holds a B.Com with Distinction in Marketing from McGill University, and an MBA with Honours in Sustainability from Schulich School of Business, York University and she has written for and been featured in publications including The Globe & Mail, Corporate Knights, GreenBiz and The Toronto Star.
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Jay Illingworth
Harmonization Director
EPRA
Jay Illingworth
Harmonization Director
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Jeff Bezzo
Executive Director - Plastic Sustainability PMO
SC Johnson
Jeff Bezzo
Executive Director - Plastic Sustainability PMO
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Joshua Goodman
Head of Corporate Sustainability
Sobeys
Joshua Goodman
Head of Corporate Sustainability
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Leigh Pearson
Managing Director
BGIS
Leigh Pearson
Managing Director
Leigh Pearson is a distinguished leader with expertise in sustainability, facilities, strategic sourcing and procurement. Prior to joining BGIS as a Managing Director for the Canadian Tire Portfolio Leigh spent her career as a retailer most notably recognized for her role at Staples Canada, where she served as Senior Director of Facilities, Sustainability, Sourcing & Procurement across all Canadian operations, including supply chain, retail, and corporate functions.
Leigh’s work earned her recognition in Canada’s Clean50 list in 2014 and 2016, and 2025 marking her as one of the country’s leading sustainability champions—particularly notable as the only retailer to receive the award three times. She was also honoured twice by the Retail Council of Canada for her sustainability leadership and twice by the Connex Association.
Leigh has been deeply involved in the with industry associations supporting multi site facilities Management, Sustainability and Strategic Sourcing. Leigh joined the Connex (formerly PRSM) Board in 2014, became Chair of the Board in 2016–17—notably the second woman in 25 years to hold the position and to date the only Canadian. Leigh also a founding board member for the Connex Charitable Foundation where she served for 10 years and was recently awarded a distinguished charitable service award for her commitment to community as well as inducted to the legacy council for the association.
Summary of Impact:
• Over 20 years of transformative leadership in facilities and sustainability
• Architect of enterprise-wide environmental programs both internally and customer/community facing, renewable energy integration inclusive of decarbonization strategies, corporate sponsorships and community engagement.
• Pioneer recognized nationally as a brand ambassador for Sustainable Programs and Solutions
• Influential figure in multi site FM and community welfare
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Luc Lortie
Costco Wholesale Sustainability Director
Costco
Luc Lortie
Costco Wholesale Sustainability Director
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Marc Andre Gaudet
Manager Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Nespresso Canada
Marc Andre Gaudet
Manager Sustainability and Environmental Impact
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Marie-Anne Champoux-Guimond
Director, Sustainability and Public Affairs
Keurig Dr Pepper Canada
Marie-Anne Champoux-Guimond
Director, Sustainability and Public Affairs
Marie-Anne Champoux-Guimond joined Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) Canada in 2017 and acts as the company’s Director of Sustainability and Public Affairs. As such, she leads stakeholder relations and spearheads KDP Canada’s sustainability strategy, initiatives and partnerships. Over the past 9 years she helped foster KDP Canada’s reputation as a sustainability and circularity leader, namely through its role as a co-founder of the Circular Plastics Taskforce, of which she is the co-chair. She is engaged in multiple industry associations and sits on Board of Directors of the Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA). Prior to joining Keurig Dr Pepper Canada, Marie-Anne worked for over 10 years in the philanthropic and international development sectors.
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Marion Organ
Director of Environment and Sustainability
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling
Marion Organ
Director of Environment and Sustainability
Marion Organ, M.Eng., P.Eng., is the Director of Sustainability and Environment at Coke Canada Bottling, where she leads the company’s environmental sustainability strategy, including climate action, water efficiency, packaging circularity, and internal waste reduction initiatives. Marion holds a Masters of Engineering and a Bachelors of Civil Engineering from Memorial University, as well as a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from York University. She is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and actively contributes to industry sustainability initiatives through participation on environmental committees and working groups across Canada.
With more than 20 years of experience in sustainability, environmental engineering, and regulatory compliance, Marion is passionate about helping organizations integrate sustainability into core business strategy while delivering meaningful environmental impact.
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Mark Dekker
Vice President of Sustainability, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
Canadian Beverage Association
Mark Dekker
Vice President of Sustainability, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
Mark Dekker is a sustainability, nutrition science, and regulatory affairs leader with a PhD in Nutrition from the University of Guelph. As Vice President of Sustainability, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at the Canadian Beverage Association, he leads sustainability and regulatory strategies, supports advocacy efforts for leading consumer brands, serves on a recycling board, and is passionate about translating nutrition and regulatory science into practical action.
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Meera Bawa
Global Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
Lululemon
Meera Bawa
Global Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
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Michael Fazio
Director, Sales & Head of Canadian Sustainability
Conagra Brands Canada
Michael Fazio
Director, Sales & Head of Canadian Sustainability
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Michelle Micuda
Principal
Micuda Advisory
Michelle Micuda
Principal
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Michelle Saunders
Vice President, Sustainability
Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada
Michelle Saunders
Vice President, Sustainability
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Monica Harvey
Director of Sustainability
Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada
Monica Harvey
Director of Sustainability
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Parul Rajwanshi
Director, Operational Stewardship
Exemplar Luxury Group
Parul Rajwanshi
Director, Operational Stewardship
Parul Rajwanshi is a strategy and operations leader with over 14 years of experience helping some of North America’s largest retailers including Walmart Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus Group, navigate complex operational, regulatory, and supply chain challenges.
Throughout her career, she has partnered across merchandising, sourcing, legal, operations, and executive leadership to translate emerging environmental and regulatory challenges into practical business decisions that strengthen long-term resilience and commercial performance. Her work has included post-acquisition integration, global supplier governance, product compliance, environmental stewardship, and large-scale operational transformation.
Parul holds a Master of Science in Resource Management from the University of Delhi and is passionate about helping organizations build resilient businesses that create lasting long-term value.
Outside of work, Parul enjoys exploring Canada’s national parks with her family and studying business strategy and financial management. She believes the most resilient organizations are built by leaders who stay curious, challenge assumptions, and never stop learning.
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Patricia Briere
Director of Sustainability
MTY Group
Patricia Briere
Director of Sustainability
Patricia Briere is Director of Sustainability at MTY Food Group, leading enterprise-wide ESG initiatives across climate action, responsible supply chains, and business resilience. With over 20 years of experience spanning packaging, procurement, and operations, she helps organizations integrate environmental and social responsibility into business strategy to create measurable, long-term business value.
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Peter Jones
Head of Sustainability
IKEA
Peter Jones
Head of Sustainability
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Rob Morphew
HSE Director
Calgary Coop
Rob Morphew
HSE Director
Rob Morphew is an environmental and sustainability professional with experience leading environmental, waste diversion, recycling, and regulatory compliance initiatives within a large multi-site retail organization. Throughout his career with Calgary Co-op, he has developed practical, measurable solutions that improve environmental performance while supporting operational excellence and compliance. Rob’s experience includes waste reduction, recycling program development, producer responsibility, plastics stewardship, organics diversion, energy management, and environmental compliance. He believes successful environmental initiatives combine innovation, operational practicality, measurable performance, regulatory compliance, and meaningful community impact.
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Ryan Mallany
Director, Sustainability
Kruger Products Inc.
Ryan Mallany
Director, Sustainability
Ryan Mallany serves as Director, Sustainability at Kruger Products Inc., the leading tissue products manufacturer in Canada. He works on fibre chain of custody, external reporting, internal sustainability data management, climate risk assessments, and various aspects of sustainability for the company to support Reimagine 2030, the company’s 10-year sustainability initiative. Since joining Kruger Products, he has managed projects aimed at improving sustainability metric data and disclosure, enhancing risk identification and management, and developing annual sustainability reports and CDP disclosures. Ryan also participates in industry sustainable working groups such as the Canadian Plastic Pact; Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada; and GS1 Canada.
Prior to joining Kruger Products, Ryan worked for Canada Goose and Honda Canada in roles that supported reducing facility carbon emissions, project management, carbon and environmental impact reduction planning, employee engagement and zero waste goals.
Ryan holds an undergraduate degree in Biology, a Masters of Environment and Sustainability and is a Certified Energy Manager, Sustainability Facility Professional and LEED Green Associate.
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Siobhan Scott
Director, Sustainability & Social Impact
LCBO
Siobhan Scott
Director, Sustainability & Social Impact
Siobhan Scott serves as the Director of Sustainability & Social Impact at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, one of the world’s largest retailers and wholesalers of beverage alcohol – responsible for the organizations environmental, social and governance priorities including their Spirit of Sustainability platform.
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Sonya Fiorini
Director, Sustainability and Community Investment
Burnbrae Farms Limited
Sonya Fiorini
Director, Sustainability and Community Investment
Sonya Fiorini is a sustainability and community investment leader with almost three decades of experience in the Canadian food and consumer goods industry. At Burnbrae Farms, Sonya leads the company’s sustainability strategy, community investment programs, and environmental initiatives. She also serves as Executive Director of the Burnbrae Farms Foundation, overseeing charitable partnerships and initiatives that support communities across Canada. In 2023, Sonya was a recipient of the Star Women in Grocery Award and serves as Board Co-Chair of the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) since 2024, helping guide research and innovation that support a sustainable and competitive Canadian livestock sector.
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Swati Patel
Sr. Manager, Sustainability Strategy and Business Development
Schneider Electric
Swati Patel
Sr. Manager, Sustainability Strategy and Business Development
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Interested in speaking at RCC’s Retail Sustainability Conference?
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