2024 Impact Award winners: Diversity, equity & inclusion
Now in its fourth year, the Canadian Grocer Impact Awards celebrates Canadian grocery retail and CPG businesses that are going above and beyond to make the world a better place
We recognized 41 winners in 2024 for making a positive impact in the areas of sustainability, supporting employees, diversity, equity & inclusion and community service.
See the full list of winners here.
Four companies won in the category of diversity, equity & inclusion. Here’s why:
Bel Group Canada
Bel Group Canada has had an action plan in place for the last five years to achieve gender diversity among managers. As a result, women now account for 51% of director level and above roles at the company. That’s much higher than Statistics Canada numbers that found women in the country hold only 31% of senior management roles.
Women at Bel Group Canada hold five of seven vice-president and higher-level positions, including the CEO of the Canadian business unit and a plant director at the Babybel cheese plant in Sorel-Tracy, Que.
Bel has also taken concrete actions for women to achieve equity in senior leadership roles such as joining, in 2023, the LEAD Network, an organization commited to attracting, retaining and advancing women in the CPG industry.
READ: KDPM Consulting Group CEO on how to drive organizational change in DE&I
“At Bel Group Canada, corporate responsibility is an integral part of how we operate,” says the company’s CEO Cristine Laforest. “That is why we have built our business model around having a positive impact, which includes ensuring we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for all. We are working to integrate DEI, both internally and externally, for greater social cohesion, well-being and performance.”
Danone Canada
High-potential youth from across Canada are getting a first chance at career progression at Danone Canada, through the launch of the company’s First Chance Employment Program.
The initiative provides youth the opportunity to join Danone’s retail team as merchandisers for one year, while benefiting from coaching, training and support from employees and more.
Danone employees enable participants to develop the skills necessary for career success, including public speaking, business writing, presentation, time management, job searching and networking. The company says the first cohort started to see strong business results and personal and professional development within a few months.
“The First Chance Employment Program is a unique occasion for Danone to impact communities by creating an opportunity for youths to develop the skills and capabilities they need for the future,” says Deveen Brown, senior manager, learning, culture & DEI at Danone Canada. “Not only does this initiative enable us to achieve our DEI mission, it also gives us the opportunity to strengthen our relationships with our customers by offering a better, more personalized service in underserved communities. We aim to create pathways for these young talents, support them in building future-ready skills and, in turn, contribute to helping our communities thrive.”
The North West Company
As a grocery and retail company that serves many Indigenous communities, The North West Company is making reconciliation a priority with its Indigenous Procurement Strategy, aimed at ensuring Indigenous businesses have equitable opportunities to partner with North West. “This commitment aligns with our purpose to help make a positive difference within each community we serve,” says Jim Caldwell, president, Canadian retail, The North West Company.
North West’s partnership with Dreamcatcher Promotions, a 100-per-cent Indigenous-owned apparel company, is just one example of the strategy in action. Dreamcatcher’s goods are featured as a “shop-within-a-shop” in 76 of The North West Company stores, highlighting culturally relevant products that resonate with Indigenous customers. The North West Company also collaborated with Dreamcatcher to create the charity teddy bear “Northy” to raise funds for its Healthy Horizons Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering children and youth in northern remote locations to build healthy lifestyles.
North West’s procurement processes reflect its strong commitment to build more collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities. “For example, we have implemented listening sessions with Indigenous businesses to understand and learn what challenges and barriers they face when trying to partner with companies like The North West Company,” says Caldwell.
PepsiCo Canada
PepsiCo Canada considers DEI to be a competitive advantage, and the snack food maker has taken several measures to ensure its people can be themselves, progress and thrive.
By the end of 2023, most employees had completed the Everyday Inclusion Workshop, which incorporates inclusive behaviours into people’s everyday lives. Additionally, the company provides a range of resources to promote mental wellness, including webinars and mental health training.
In addition, PepsiCo Canada has six corporately funded Employee Resource Groups that, in partnership with human resources, support recruitment initiatives and host monthly events aimed at driving awareness of important societal issues.
The company’s brands also celebrate diversity, including Bubly, which has been supporting Pride celebrations in Canada’s largest cities for several years.
“At PepsiCo Canada, we are on a journey from awareness to commitment to action, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made in creating an inclusive workplace,” says Dave Moncur, vice-president, human resources, PepsiCo Foods Canada. “Our approach to diversity, equity and inclusion extends beyond our walls and is important to how we work alongside business partners and within our communities. With the help of our passionate employee resource groups, empathetic leadership teams and esteemed partners, our ambition is to continue offering a space where our employees can bring their whole selves to work.”
Winners of the 2024 Impact Awards are featured in Canadian Grocer’s August issue.
