2025 Generation Next winner Zak Bannerman

With experience on the agency side and at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), Zak Bannerman brought a well-rounded mix of brand sponsorship and leadership skills to Empire in 2018.                                   

He played a key role in launching Empire’s landmark partnership with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams, including the creation of the Feed the Dream platform. Bannerman also pioneered the NHL My Team Picks gamification program, a first-of-its kind platform that blended fan passion with digital engagement. Another highlight was launching corporate-led shopper marketing initiatives that connect CPG suppliers with sports properties across Empire’s banners.  

What inspires Bannerman is facilitating experiences that connect people with sports—and each other. “Giving people experiences that are highly sought after and that create connections and memories is truly special,” he says. 

Bannerman is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment, grassroots sports and food security. At the National Bank Open, he led the Tennis Canada Kids Community Clinic, giving underprivileged children their first experience with tennis. In Halifax, Bannerman spearheaded Sobeys’ investment in a refurbished basketball court in partnership with Giants of Africa. He also supported Sobeys’ partnership with MLSE LaunchPad’s Nutrition Hub, which provides nutritious snacks to kids in afterschool programs. 

See the full list of Generation Next 2025 winner profiles.

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