2025 Impact Award winners: Champions
Since 2021, Canadian Grocer has been celebrating the efforts of companies driving positive change through our Impact Awards.
Recognizing that impact often begins with passionate individuals, we're excited to introduce our new Impact Champion award. This year, six exceptional leaders from across Canada's grocery industry are being recognized for stepping up to make a difference on a number fronts—from leading sustainability initiatives to supporting DE&I and mental health efforts to helping underprivileged youth.
Meet this year's six impressive Impact Champions:
Renée Hopfner
Head of Corporate Citizenship
Empire
Since 2017, Renée Hopfner has led Sobeys’ partnership with Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations, launching the initiative amid the COVID-19 pandemic and securing its renewal through 2030.
The initiative has raised more than $20 million, supporting youth mental health and helping more than 120,000 young people nationwide. “Almost 100 new treatment spaces have been added or enhanced, and thousands of care providers have accessed training to enhance their skills,” says Hopfner.
She also volunteers at Children’s Hospitals and serves on the board of children’s mental health centre Wood’s Homes in Calgary. “I’ve stood beside family and friends who have had to navigate their own mental health challenges,” she says. “When meeting with our community partners, patient ambassadors or teammates, my own experiences and the stories I hear in the community
are an inspiration to grow
our impact.”
Crediting support from the Sobeys executive team, The Sobey Foundation, teammates, supplier partners and generous customers, “our first five years of the partnership demonstrated what’s possible,” says Hopfner. “Our next five years will focus on further expanding our collective impact to help children’s hospitals fuel innovation, empower care teams and ensure families know they are not alone.”
Matt Judd
Director of Transportation
and Logistics Excellence
Nestlé Canada
Matt Judd isn’t just moving products at Nestlé Canada—he’s moving the needle on the company’s global goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
Since 2017, Judd has led sustainability efforts in transportation and logistics. His proudest stat? “Our road-to-rail usage stands at 98.75% for long-haul distances,” he says. “Recognizing the emissions reduction potential of rail, we have consistently maintained over 90% usage for the past decade.” This has resulted in up to a 75% reduction in GHG emissions compared to road transport.
“My motivation stems from a deep commitment to preserving resources for the long term,” explains Judd. “Collaboration with our partners and customers is essential, as our sustainability goals require a united effort beyond Nestlé alone.”
Under his leadership, Nestlé Canada is piloting EVs in distribution and exploring bio-LNG (bio-Liquefied Natural Gas) solutions on continuing to reduce the environmental impact of its value chain. He’s also passionate about sharing best practices, leading educational initiatives with universities such as McMaster, and mentorship, including through the Nestlé Needs Youth initiative. “I am committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders to become customer-centric, agile and environmentally conscious, ultimately, shaping a brighter future,” he says.
Jason Lemaich
Senior Director, Franchise and Partnerships
PepsiCo Canada
Jason Lemaich has spent much of his career at PepsiCo Canada donating time outside his day job as the company’s senior director, franchise and partnerships to advance the efforts of The PepsiCo Canada Foundation. The foundation focuses on fundraising and soliciting donations to support activities, programs and education that promote physical activity, healthy habits and wellness, especially among underprivileged youth.
Lemaich’s key contributions include playing an integral role in Rock the Foundation, a one-night concert showcasing PepsiCo Canada employees’ musical talent, serving on The PepsiCo Canada Foundation board, and hosting the company’s annual GTA Golf Tournament Auction.
Under the leadership of Lemaich, who serves in the unofficial PepsiCo Canada band as a drummer, the 2024 Rock the Foundation event raised $33,000. Rock the Foundation raises funds for The PepsiCo Canada Foundation’s Associate Charity Grants program, which allows PepsiCo associates to apply for grants to support charities with which they’re involved.
“While planning and executing our fundraising events takes a significant investment in time, it provides me with a great deal of pride to see the impact that our supported charities make,” Lemaich says of the foundation.
Ramila Mudarth
Senior Manager, Program Management, PC Optimum Technology
Loblaw
Inspired by a mentor and co-lead in Loblaw’s Women in Technology (WIT) employee resource group, Ramila Mudarth began as a “silent observer” before stepping up to co-lead the Career sub pillar, co-ordinating more than 100 volunteers.
“I quickly fell in love with the monthly connects,” says Mudarth. “It was incredibly refreshing to meet like-minded people, all passionate about supporting women in the tech pillars.”
She launched a four-week mentorship series on imposter syndrome, capped by a 100-person speed mentoring event; led Loblaw’s participation in the Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women, raising $2,500 for mental health; and moderated the company’s most-listened-to podcast on menopause. She also introduced a flexible volunteer model to help colleagues contribute “without feeling pressured
or guilty.”
Mudarth continues to champion bold conversations—including International Women’s Day panels on ageism and return-to-work experiences—and build inclusive learning spaces through book clubs, peer circles and events on wellness, personal branding and confidence.
Looking ahead, she hopes to partner with Girls Who Code and launch workshops on artifical intelligence and data visualization. “My journey with WIT has been transformative,” she says. “I’ve learned the power of community, the importance of mentorship and the need for flexible volunteer opportunities. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
Rob Morphew
Health, Safety and Environment Director
Calgary Co-op
Rob Morphew has been instrumental in ensuring Calgary Co-op’s purpose statement—“To enrich our member communities”—becomes a reality.
Since 2020, the health, safety and environment director at Calgary Co-op has led key environmental projects—including its Fresh Food Rescue Program, waste reduction initiatives throughout the organization and a battery recycling program—that have grown year after year.
The Fresh Food Rescue Program required extensive staff buy-in, which Morphew achieved through education, enthusiasm and leading by example. Launched as a pilot
at six stores in 2021, the program has since expanded to all 22 Calgary Co-op Food Centres. In 2024 alone, more than one million pounds of food was sent to partner food banks.
“I’ve always believed that meaningful change often begins with something small—a conversation, a fresh idea, a moment of curiosity,” Morphew says. “Over the past 20 years with Calgary Co-op, that belief has been reinforced time and time again. I’ve seen first-hand how even the smallest efforts can grow into so much more—something that has a real impact on the communities we serve, especially when you’re part of a team that values innovation and community impact.”
Doug Rose
Regional Logistics Manager, Atlantic
Bimbo Canada
As regional logistics manager, Atlantic at Bimbo Canada, Doug Rose makes a meaningful impact through local projects, product donations and sustainability initiatives.
Rose’s team completed five of the company’s Good Neighbour projects in the Moncton, N.B. area in 2024, contributing more than $15,000 to local, non-profits and
250 associate volunteer hours to local organizations.
He also set up a product donation partnership, which has grown to include several local, non-profit organizations and food banks, and contributes approximately 175,000 units of product to the community per year.
In addition, Rose was involved in a partnership with a local biotechnology firm in Moncton to divert food waste from the Moncton Sales Centre, upcycling Bimbo Canada’s product returns waste for the generation of insect protein bound for agricultural applications. The partnership is helping Bimbo Canada diversify its diversion options, support local innovation and achieve its target of zero
waste to landfill for all Canadian operations by the end of this year.
“I am motivated by the opportunity to help make a positive change in someone’s life,” says Rose. Giving back to communities through the Good Neighbour program “brings much joy to me and allows me to make a difference.”
Winners of the 2025 Impact Awards are featured in Canadian Grocer’s August issue.
