Annika specializes in understanding how people’s values, attitudes, and experiences shape behaviour and decision-making. She helps organizations uncover the human context behind complex issues, translating research insights into strategies that are relevant, actionable, and grounded in real-world perspectives. Working across both the private and public sectors, Annika has led and supported research projects that explore consumer attitudes toward sustainability and evolving expectations for retailers, consumer brands, governments, and non-profit organizations. Her work focuses on helping clients understand diverse audiences, identify emerging trends, and build stronger, more meaningful connections with their customers and stakeholders. Drawing on her background in business and marketing, Annika brings a practical perspective to values-based research, helping organizations navigate changing consumer expectations and understand how broader social and cultural shifts influence behaviour. She is passionate about translating complex insights into clear, actionable recommendations that help organizations adapt to rapidly evolving landscapes.

Susan is a strategic research leader focused on how changing human values are redefining what people expect from brands, institutions, and each other. She helps organizations move beyond surface-level insights to uncover what truly drives behaviour – and turn that understanding into meaningful, future-ready strategies. With over two decades of experience across corporate retail, agency, and consultancy environments, Susan advises corporate and non-profit organizations on brand, product, and marketing strategy across sectors including tourism, culture and entertainment, technology, retail, and consumer goods and services. Her expertise in values-based research connects deep human insight with practical business impact, helping organizations navigate complexity, adapt to societal shifts, and build stronger, more relevant connections. Susan is an experienced speaker and facilitator, with engagements spanning conferences, leadership forums, webinars, and national media. She holds an MBA in Marketing and Strategic Management from the Schulich School of Business.

Michelle Saunders is Vice President of Sustainability at Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada.  Representing Canada’s food, beverage, consumer goods and health product manufacturers, she oversees all policy and advocacy efforts related to environmental sustainability, including Extended Producer Responsibility, plastics, packaging and climate.

With more than 28 years of leadership experience across multiple industries, he has built a strong track record in business development, marketing, commercial strategy, communications, and organizational transformation. Known for his collaborative and results-oriented leadership style, François is passionate about strengthening corporate reputation, fostering meaningful stakeholder engagement, and advancing sustainability initiatives that support long-term business success. He is also a respected mentor and speaker who regularly shares insights on leadership, career development, and organizational change.

Timothy B. Fuchs is a seasoned Public Affairs professional working with IKEA Canada for the last 7 years.  As Head of Public Affairs, Tim’s role focuses on building meaningful relationships across public, private, and community sectors, with a focus on bringing clear solutions to the table. Prior to having an active family and home life, Tim was a (very!) amateur stand-up comedian, performing on stage and leading his “Humour in the Workplace” corporate workshops. Currently, Tim is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders, helping to empower the next generate of public affairs and government relations professionals. 

Jeff Bezzo heads plastic and packaging sustainability at SC Johnson and is Board Treasurer of Circular Action Alliance. Jeff is known for coaching and developing talent, strategic thinking and partnering cross-functionally in pursuit of business priorities. Jeff has a long track record of leadership roles at SC Johnson.  
Educated at McMaster University in Canada with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Jeff subsequently earned a CPA, CMA also in Canada. Jeff is a dual citizen having split his 31- year FMCG career between the United States and Canada with the last 27 years of his career at SC Johnson.  
Jeff is a daily runner and cyclist, has completed 3 ultra-distance running races to date and is an avid lover of the outdoors. Jeff spends his free time outside his home adjacent to the Kettle Moraine State Forest and Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin.

Paul Nowak, the Executive Director of GreenBlue, brings 30+ years of experience to the table through a variety of roles across the supply chain including, vice president of sustainability at Quad, general manager of manufacturing, senior director of client experience, and vice president of enterprise solutions for brands. Nowak’s passion for sustainability and embodiment of GreenBlue’s mission are demonstrated through his career accomplishments, including the creation of the first Quad Sustainable Packaging Public Report, the Annual Client Sustainability Symposium, and the development of the Quad Community Education Program. During his career, Nowak has highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry by serving as a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leader, founding the first Quad Business Resource Group for LGBTQIA+ teammates.

Kathleen McLaughlin is executive vice president and chief sustainability officer for Walmart Inc. She is responsible for programs that help Walmart create opportunity through jobs and sourcing, enhance sustainability of retail and retail supply chains and strengthen community resilience.

Through business initiatives and philanthropy, her teams work with Walmart associates, suppliers, nonprofit organizations and others to make significant and lasting improvements to economic, social and environmental systems. For example, Walmart has engaged more than 5,900 suppliers through Project Gigaton™ – an initiative created in 2017 to avoid or reduce one billion metric tons (a gigaton) of greenhouse gases from product value chains by 2030 – achieved in 2024, six years early.

Kathleen serves as chair of the Walmart Foundation Board of Directors. For more than 10 years, she was president of the Walmart Foundation and has helped advance corporate philanthropy, building strategic philanthropic programs that complement business initiatives to achieve greater impact while facilitating local giving and community engagement through Walmart’s tech-powered Spark Good platform.

Kathleen serves on the boards of the World Wildlife Fund and World Resources Institute and as an advisor to The Nature Conservancy’s Impact and Financial Markets team. She previously served on the board of the Council on Foundations.

In 2026, Kathleen was selected by the NRF Foundation for their List of People Shaping Retail’s Future. She was also ranked #1 by Sustainability Magazine among their 2026 Top 250 Women in Sustainability. In 2023, Kathleen was named to Time Magazine’s inaugural “TIME100 Climate List,” recognizing the most influential climate leaders in business. In 2018, she was recognized as one of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune – a title given to leaders around the world for their work to transform the world and inspire others to do the same.

Kathleen is a frequent speaker about the role of business in society at forums hosted by the New York Times, Fortune, the Wall Street Journal and the World Economic Forum.

As Colgate-Palmolive’s Chief Sustainability Offi cer Ann is a member of Colgate’s Sr. Leadership team and leads Colgate’s Global Sustainability strategy and key initiatives, integrating a strong technical foundation across our enterprise Sustainability & Social Impact Strategy Core Ambition pillars – Driving Social Impact, Helping Millions of Homes and Preserving our Environment. Ann holds a BA degree in Applied Science, a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Master’s of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Systems. Most recently Ann has completed a Certifi cate in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of the UNGC Network USA and is newly appointed to the GHG-Protocol Steering committee.

As CEO, Allen is responsible for leading Circular Materials through the development of Ontario’s new blue box recycling system while expanding the organization’s operations into other provinces, starting with New Brunswick. His mission is to support producers with a robust not-for-profit service offering that advances the circular economy, delivers national harmonization of extended producer responsibility (EPR) services and harnesses competitive procurement to provide the best value for producers.
Prior to joining Circular Materials, Allen served as the President and CEO of Return-It, British Columbia’s very successful used beverage container management program in Canada. In this role, Allen oversaw the modernization of Return-It’s collection network, which consists of more than 170 collection sites, including Return-It depots, Express Plus and Express & GO stations. Return-It has routinely exceeded a 75% recovery rate for used beverage containers in British Columbia, and its network has supported the collection of new materials, including waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Allen also served as the Managing Director for Recycle BC, the first 100% EPR program for paper and packaging in North America where industry assumed full financial and managerial responsibility for the residential recycling system.
Allen currently serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Washington State Recycling Development Centre.

Krista is a senior communications and public affairs executive with extensive expertise in pharmaceuticals, consumer packaged goods and financial services with more than 12 years of operating committee experience in progressively senior roles at leading Fortune 500 companies. With over 8 years with government and not-for-profit organizations and international experience in leadership roles in Canada, USA and Latin America, Krista’s industry expertise upholds CBA’s mission and vision.
In 2020 Krista was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Women of Influence by the Women’s Executive Network. She is also on the board of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation and Trent University.

Kim Furlong is President & CEO of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), bringing over two decades of experience at the intersection of public policy, business, and advocacy. Known for her strategic mindset and collaborative approach, Kim leads RCC at a pivotal time for the retail industry—championing members’ interests, shaping national policy, and building strong partnerships across sectors. 

Before rejoining RCC in 2025, Kim spent six years as CEO of the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA). There, she played a key role in elevating the voice of Canada’s private capital sector, influencing public policy, and strengthening the country’s investment ecosystem. 

Prior to CVCA, Kim spent a decade at Amgen Canada leading External Affairs, and also served as a senior political aide in two federal ministerial offices. 

Throughout her career, Kim has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor and effective advocate, with a deep network spanning business, government, and media. She is passionate about building consensus, delivering results, and helping industries thrive in an evolving economic landscape. 

Kim is an avid cyclist, enthusiastic foodie, and lifelong book lover. Originally from the picturesque town of Percé, Quebec, she is a proud French Quebecer. She now lives in Toronto with her husband and their twin boys—affectionately known as “the Peanuts.” 

Michael is a leading sustainable business expert, with over 20 years’ experience across North America, Europe and Asia. His work has most recently been focused on public and private sector ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), climate action and circular economy projects, cross-sectoral initiatives and government relations advocacy as Vice President of Sustainability at Retail Council of Canada, Director of Sustainability at GFL, Director of Climate Change & Sustainability Services at Ernst & Young and as Vice President of Business Development & Strategy at Bee’ah, a leading UAE based integrated waste and recycling management company. 

In Michael’s current role at Retail Council of Canada, he leads the sustainability practice, supporting retailers and quick service restaurants nationally with government relations, the development of knowledge sharing platforms and pre-competitive initiatives on key issues such as ESG and climate action, extended producer responsibility (EPR) and plastic waste reduction.