2025 Generation Next winner Marleen Dimeski

Marleen Dimeski, who began her career at Bimbo Canada as a leadership trainee, was instrumental in launching what became the top-selling product in the hot dog and hamburger bun category.

Leaning on consumer insight, she introduced Dempster’s Signature Gold Buns in only 20 weeks in 2018. The innovation came “just by learning about consumer behaviour and providing a solution,” she says. That success led to the revamping of Dempster’s entire Signature lineup.  

Dimeski has twice won the Bimbo Canada President’s Award, once for the Gold Buns launch and also for the introduction—during the pandemic—of the Sobeys Gift Card Program, a first-of-its-kind shopper marketing program for the grocer. 

Since January 2025, she’s been managing emerging snacking brands such as Big Daddy and Mexico’s Marinela cookies, identifying opportunities and building brand awareness in a space where the company lacks market share. “It’s been a steep learning curve, but it’s been fun,” she says.  

Passionate about building brands, Dimeski aims to continue driving innovation in the snacking space and mentoring emerging talents. 

See the full list of Generation Next 2025 winner profiles.

Profiles were published in the December 2025/January 2026 issue of Canadian Grocer.