Excellence Awards Jurors

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.

Darren White is the Vice-President, Business Strategy and Sustainability for Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited.

He is currently responsible for Long-Range Strategic Business Planning, PMO Lead for the Business Transformation Office, and Environmental Sustainability.

Darren joined the Coca-Cola system in 2006 and progressed through the Canadian system including roles in Consumer Marketing, Commercial Strategy, Channel Strategy & Marketing, Category Commercialization and Business Transformation. He is passionate about strategy development, project management and driving sustainable change.

Darren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Honors Political Science from the University of Western Ontario and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University.

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.  

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.

Harrison Brook is Manager, Sustainability at Retail Council of Canada, where he drives industry engagement on emerging environmental policies and helps retailers navigate complex sustainability and regulatory issues. His work focuses on areas including extended producer responsibility, plastics, climate action, greenhouse gas reporting, circularity, and decarbonization.

Prior to joining Retail Council of Canada, Harrison worked in sustainability at GFL Environmental, supporting greenhouse gas accounting, environmental reporting, and corporate sustainability initiatives. He holds an MBA with a specialization in Sustainability from the Schulich School of Business at York University where he frequently lectures on sustainability reporting and disclosure and will be joining as a part time professor in 2027.

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. 

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

As Sustainability Director, Luc leads a team that developed the Sustainability discipline for Costco Wholesale Canada. They advise Costco’s Operations and Buying teams on environmental compliance, sustainable packaging, energy use, donations and waste diversion.

Marc-André Gaudet is the Sustainability Manager at Nespresso Canada, with over 15 years of experience in circularity, ESG strategy, and environmental management across a variety of industries. He leads impactful sustainability programs, evaluates complex initiatives, and fosters innovation through practical, measurable solutions that deliver environmental, social, and business value.

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.

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.

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. 

Michael Fazio is Director of Sales and Head of Sustainability at Conagra Brands Canada. With 24 years of experience in the retail and consumer packaged goods industry, he has led sustainability initiatives focused on packaging, EPR readiness, and cross-functional collaboration, helping advance practical and scalable environmental solutions.

Michelle is the Principal of Micuda Advisory, Group Leader & Mentor for CEO Global Network, Past Chair of Goodwill Industries and Director of Conservation Halton Foundation. Michelle has held C-suite roles across Sales, Operations and Finance in small and large organizations, spanning B2B distribution, technology and banking, nationally and internationally. She is also a member of RCC’s Fashion and Furniture Working Group with a passion for circularity.

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.

Monica is the Director of Sustainability at Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, where she supports members on environmental sustainability issues, including extended producer responsibility, circular economy, and climate mitigation. Prior to joining FHCP, she worked for the Government of Canada for more than 10 years across several departments, contributing to the development of sustainability regulations, policies, and strategies on topics including climate change, sustainable finance, plastics, and clean technology. Monica has also worked in consulting and the non-profit sector in sustainability-focused roles and has a background in chemistry and environmental engineering.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.